English - help

[shoz]

I know most of you will think this rather pathetic, but I am struggling with some English.
Can anyone explain to me, with examples if possible, the difference between a regular verb and an irregular one. Why is one regular and the other not?
Sorry to be so basic but I would be grateful for your replies.

[Vonny]

Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_verb

[midget]

The verb "to be" irregular in any languages I've come across. It's even more irregular in parts of Devon-- I be (or I is), you be, 'im/'er be, we am(or we'm), you be, they's.

[DavebytheSea]

Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_verb

or, rather more succinctly, it is a verb which in its different forms (number, tense, person etc) behaves erratically.

[jtaylor]

How common is "I aint dun nuffin" at CH??

"Secetary" winds me up - even heard many times on the BBC when referring to goverment(sic) positions.

Pacific instead of specific.
Nucular is another....

Pour Inglish Rooles!

J

[jtaylor]

Oh, and forgot to mention "eksetera" too....what do they think the etc. stands for, or do they think it ect?

Don't get me started...........oops, you already have...

J

[Angela Woodford]

I admit that, at the pub the other day, I crept around the outside of the building, wet hanky in hand, altering several blackboards which read "Please Do Not Use These Door's".

Love

Munch

[englishangel]

Panini's is one that gets us.

For those who don't know Italian panini is the plural, panino is the singular.

[DavebytheSea]

Panini is one that gets us.

I always thought he was an operatic tenor of great weight and substance.

[J.R.]

EX-LAXating............... Regular Verb

STRAINING........... irregular verb.

(Start the car.............)

[shoz]

Many thanks to all -(even if we did stray ever so slightly off topic, don't get me started on apostrophies, misplaced ones are a pet hate of mine)- I think I am getting there, slowly but surely.

[Jude]

I started theis so I will finish (2nd attempt to get this out!)

Around here in gloomy Glos the English is definately going downhill fast. The Chav language is taking over
: "wotchalookinat?"
: "Gisalickie!"
: "gotadollar?"

These in English mean
: what / who / whom are you looking at?
: Do you have a cigarette I could have please?
: Do you have any spare change?


A female friend of my daughter was approached by a Chav in Gloucester, and these things were demmanded of her - her reply (in a VERY ENGLISH TONE!!)
" I'm sorry I only carry English currency and I do not smoke, goodbye"

Which considering she is a skinny small thing and these Chavs often seem to rather "LOOM" over one was a very brave thing.. he apparently was left looking stunned and not really understanding what had gone wrong!

A pity the Language is so peculiar, it could be spoken so well if only the irregularities were removed - but that would ruin the idiosyncraticness of the British!

[J.R.]

For anyone who finds the need to educate themselves for a riveting conversation, may I direct them to.....

http://www.freewebs.com/thechavguide/language.htm

invaluable for anyone connected with the world of footy !

[Jude]

For anyone who finds the need to educate themselves for a riveting conversation, may I direct them to.....

http://www.freewebs.com/thechavguide/language.htm

invaluable for anyone connected with the world of footy !

Probably Invaluable to anyone near a city or a town these days... I watched a digitalized version of Hepburn playing Eliza in My Fair Lady over the holiday - I have to admit, that her English before she was "educated" was better than some peoples after their education......

[icomefromalanddownunder]

Panini's is one that gets us.

For those who don't know Italian panini is the plural, panino is the singular.

I once asked for a gelato in an Italian delicatessen in Adelaide, and the proprietor couldn't/wouldn't understand me, so I pointed and had 'gelati' yelled at me. 'Yes, but, er, um, I only want one, so I thought .............'