Author Topic: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?  (Read 9090 times)

biggerbirdbrain

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legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« on: May 02, 2007, 09:15:12 PM »
Since I am not the "biggestbirdbrain," please refresh my memory, Alan.

In Tuesday's standard puzzle, once it was closed, I found the one "common" word I could not get - "theirs." That really threw me off (but not up - :D), since I thought ordinary plural words simply do not qualify.

Did we cover this before already and I've slept too many times since? Why is that word not just a plural of "their"? Is it because, according to one source I saw, it is allowed to be used with either a single or a plural verb? Would that then not also qualify "ours" and "hers" to be accepted as well?

I must be getting old.

Cheers, :D -- and thanks! I know you'll set me straight, and I hope I haven't been too much of an idiot!

3-B

Linda

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2007, 09:29:38 PM »
That one foxed me too, 3B.  Still can't understand it.  V. litle time to play today (boo) lots of students' work to mark (oh joy).  Actually, the less time you have in which to play the more focussed your mind becomes plus you try any old word which you think is legit and of course your hit rate plunges!  Never mind, eh.  I see SWCBN is up there again - damn!

Viz

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2007, 10:18:46 PM »
hi gang - it's because "theirs" is not a plural of anything, its a possesive, as in "give them the ball, it's theirs" and i think other possesives like "hers" are also allowed, and of course "its" would be but it's only a three letter word.That's my theory anyway. (It's quite nice for a rosette-less mortal like me to be able to tell you guys anthing - stops me feeling like a complete failure - thanks for that.)
Viz

Binkie

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2007, 10:28:30 PM »
For what it's worth, I didn't get "theirs" either, and kicked myself. Then stopped and wondered why it was there.You're quite right, of course, Viz, and I should have realised it !

biggerbirdbrain

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2007, 10:33:29 PM »
Sounds right, Viz. Thanks much for that rational explanation. Rosettes notwithstanding, you are worthy of accolades!  :D

Cheers,
3-B

technomc

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2007, 10:48:41 PM »
Hi Viz [ha ha ha ha ha !!!!]
I am not worthy......
;)

Viz

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2007, 11:19:16 PM »
OK T - Just for you - i dont have a hi vis vest, but i'm wearing my hi vis bike stripes - giggle away!
Viz

technomc

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2007, 06:36:27 AM »
Hi viz..[titter titter...]
Well, what can i say in response to that...???
I'm not sure it will catch on as a fashion icon....so i hope you weren't holding out much hope that Kate Moss will take it on board for her new fashion line.... :-\
I'm sure you look lovely in them...I see worse every day....
But thanks for the wave....
I'm waving back as i type with 1 hand.
You make me larf you do...
Regards T  ;)

Alan W

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2007, 11:41:19 AM »
Hi Viz

(Stop that giggling down the back!...)

Yes, "theirs", "hers", "ours" and "yours" are all allowed. They're not plurals or verb forms, but alternative forms of possessive pronouns, required in some sentence constructions. (Do pay attention; this will be on the exam.)

We say, "I visited their house," but, "The house I visited is theirs." If we weren't using a pronoun, we would use the same word or phrase in both cases: "I visited the Smiths' house." "The house I visited is the Smiths'." It's just one of those quirks of the English language.
Alan Walker
Creator of Lexigame websites

Viz

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2007, 09:37:38 PM »
hi T - as long as i make you laugh my work is done.
however, it's all very well for you to say you are waving with one hand - I cant see you! i've put on silly hi vis stripes to amuse you- so where's your photo Ms T?
Viz

technomc

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2007, 01:00:25 AM »
Hi Viz [chuckle hahahahaha!!]
Alan has got me well and truly sussed...i was chuckling...simple things/simple minds and all that.... :-[
I honestly have not got one recent photo of me anywhere...yet alone on my computer...but i will try and get one soon i promise....
Scouts honour  [i just spat in my hand too..]
TaRaaaaa
;)

Alan W

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2007, 11:53:32 AM »
Hi T [chortle chortle]

We'll look forward to that.

And 3B, we're still waiting for a pic of your cockatiel.
Alan Walker
Creator of Lexigame websites

biggerbirdbrain

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2007, 12:02:03 PM »
My cockatiel Buster's been very persnickety lately - it comes with his advanced age. We've had him for more than 10 years, and he got very broken up about his cage-mate's passing, and hasn't been the same since  :'(. He became extremely agitated  >:( recently when I tried to get him to move so I could clean his cage. And one of his wings is out of kilter since he flew into a door once, so he's very fragile.

I'll do my best as soon as I can.

3-B


technomc

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Re: legit word, or a plural that slipped through?
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2007, 02:47:21 AM »
I know just how Buster feels threeb...
Get him out there and find him another 'bird'....
If only it was that easy... :'(
;)
P.S. Don't worry you haven't upset me or anything, and i don't want you thinking you have to pussyfoot around me....i would rather take it in my stride...