Walt's Annoying Word Usage Rants

[xiombarg]

Thus: "The GNS model's impact [n] was considerable."  "My bowels are impacted[vt]."  "The comet will impact [vi] soon."

But not: "The GNS model has impacted gaming considerably."  [Into what has gaming been packed, and how did the model shove it there?]

I know, I know, politicians and business people use it all the time these days.  But do you really want to be like them?

Well, they use it all the time because it's been a valid use of the verb for over sixty years.

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition lists the following definition third when using "impact" as a verb:

To have an effect or impact on: “No region... has been more impacted by emerging demographic and economic trends” (Joel Kotkin).

Now, admittedly, the same dictionary has the following usage note:

Usage Note: The use of impact as a verb meaning "to have an effect" often has a big impact on readers. Eighty-four percent of the Usage Panel disapproves of the construction to impact on, as in the phrase social pathologies, common to the inner city, that impact heavily on such a community; fully 95 percent disapproves of the use of impact as a transitive verb in the sentence Companies have used disposable techniques that have a potential for impacting our health.

It is unclear why this usage provokes such a strong response, but it cannot be because of novelty. Impact has been used as a verb since 1601, when it meant “to fix or pack in,” and its modern, figurative use dates from 1935. It may be that its frequent appearance in the jargon-riddled remarks of politicians, military officials, and financial analysts continues to make people suspicious. Nevertheless, the verbal use of impact has become so common in the working language of corporations and institutions that many speakers have begun to regard it as standard. It seems likely, then, that the verb will eventually become as unobjectionable as contact is now, since it will no longer betray any particular pretentiousness on the part of those who use it. See Usage Note at contact.

In other words, while I agree with Walt, the usage of impact you decry has been around for over sixty years, and only the sort of people who sit on "Usage Panels" care anymore. Unlike the usages Walt highlight, it isn't technically incorrect.

I'm glad Ron pointed out the affect/effect thing, as that's one I'm particularly careful about, myself.

[ethan_greer]

Your - Possessive form of 'you.'

You're - Contraction for 'you are.'

[quozl]

Are you guys saying these people don't know thier own language? No, never!;)

That's "their" language. :-)

[Mike Holmes]

On the whole Disrespected as a transient/intransient verb, let's not harp on that one too closely as to do so will no doubt set off the Ebonics flamewar.

In fact, I'm sorry I ever got on this horse. I really thought that Ron would wish it away. For what it's worth, all language is in a constantly shifting state that no Useage Panel is ever going to stop. There is no absolutely recognized central authority, nor can there be, I think. Certainly we can expect  people to use the best form of communication they can, but harping on certain terms, especially ones that do not become confused in context, is just not important. If I write, "That's not in the game's cannon, I think people will get the drift."

For example, I looked up my example, Orientated, and according to Dictionary.com, it can be used synonymously with Oriented (Irregardless is also listed, but at least as non-standard). In fact, they gave a Le Carre quote using Oreintated. Shows what I know.

What I advise is personal responsibility. No need to hack on the next guy, just try to be as clear as you can. That's what I'm doing.

Next thing people will be all over spelling. At which point I'll have to leave.

Mike

[quozl]

What I advise is personal responsibility. No need to hack on the next guy, just try to be as clear as you can. That's what I'm doing.

Mike

I think that's the point of this thread: how to be as clear as possible.  Many times a rule is unclear because of bad grammar or bad spelling.  This causes frustration for both the game's players and the game's writer.

[Mike Holmes]

I'm pretty sure this thread meant to address positing online. And Walt is fine in pointing these things out for pwople who want to improve. I'm just hoping that nobody takes it as a cry to start trying to correct anyone. Read the posts here, take what you need, and move on.

I'm probably over-reacting to a non-existent slippery slope.

Mike

[Le Joueur]

Just wanted to note; ending a sentence with a preposition is actually the older way to do it that the 'Latinizers' tried to outlaw.  If you outlaw lagging prepositions, then that's what outlaws will end their sentences with.  If I am to ever get out of this discussion of grammar, I must point out that there has been a 'softening' of the rule about splitting infinitives¹.

They're going to have to kill me before they take away my ability to mangle the language.  I resent any intimation that I am obsessed with making my gaming terms more 'Proper²,' which might be a Capital Idea here in Minnesota's capitol.  Let's just say that language isn't my forte, even though I am forté about it.

Fang Langford

¹ We've decided that for our homage to Star Trek, star ships will be powered by Split Infinity Drives.

² As in Proper Noun; a pronoun is one that gave up its Amateur Status.

[clehrich]

Just wanted to note; ending a sentence with a preposition is actually the older way to do it that the 'Latinizers' tried to outlaw. If you outlaw lagging prepositions, then that's what outlaws will end their sentences with.

I believe Winston Churchill once said, "That [ending sentences with prepositions] is a barbarism up with which I will not put."  :)

[Ron Edwards]

Hi there,

The slippery slope of this thread is when people start punning and pirouetting instead of providing clear and useful information for others to use. The last couple of posts have definitely slid in this undesirable direction.

Folks - save the nuance-debates, ideological presentations, and dictionary-waving for private-messages.

Best,
Ron

[clehrich]

A legitimate point, I think, which I see quite a lot on both the Forge and on student papers.

's normally refers to a possessive, with the notable exception of its, as mentioned before.

's does not normally pluralize.  Thus the plural of player is players, not player's.

While it is normally proper to pluralize acronyms and similar abbreviations, thus the plural of GM should be GM's, this seems to be nonstandard on the Forge, and I wouldn't insist upon it, especially as it leads to potential confusion with the possessive.

But "my character's" should be followed by a noun, not a verb.  Thus:
my character's sword, but
my characters all work together.