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Message board > The Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest
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almaz
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Why is the assumption always made that there can be only one correct/acceptable usage? I �d say both are valid. There �s no need to get all hot and bothered. Here we have a situation where the grammar might be considered to be in conflict with the meaning simply because the head ends in -s.Personally, I agree with Natasha in this case as, in fact, do many usage guides: the singular verb is recommended with "plural noun phrases of quantity or measure" (MDWEU), an example being "ten dollars is all I have left".
Your old friend,
Norma Loquendi ; )
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15 May 2011
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spinney
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The go/goes thing doesn �t really interest me. What really amazes me is that people watch it in the US!!! I even considered moving there to get away from the competition when I was younger! Why would the Americans torture themselves with Eurovision? I suspect everybody in the New World is having a bloody good laugh at our expense! Actually, I watched it last night with a big group of (Spanish) ESL teachers at a house warming party. I haven �t laughed so much in years! We weren �t so concerned with the acts as with the people giving out the points! Did anybody notice the woman giving out Azerbaijan �s points? She had us crying with laughter! I �ll be sure to watch it again next year. It �s so strange how our tastes in entertainment change over the years! |
15 May 2011
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almaz
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Compared to the usual output on Spanish TV, Eurovision is a beacon of sophistication.
By the way, who won? I find it difficult to watch telly through my fingers. |
15 May 2011
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ueslteacher
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I agree it could mean the mark of 10 points goes to... But who am I to say what is right or wrong to the native speakers. Sophia |
15 May 2011
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spinney
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I know what you mean about Spanish TV. I was watching Braveheart a few years back and they had an advert break on for 30 minutes!!!! Anyway, Azerbaijan was the winner last night. I shall watch the artists � careers with interest ...not! |
15 May 2011
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Jayho
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Eurovision doesn�t even get a mention downunder. The only thing I remember about Eurovision is that Abba came to fame there with Waterloo and never looked back.
I listened to the local footy match on the radio this arvo and they didn�t get within cooee (they�re especially for you Mariannina) of using go/goes. However, considering Marion�s point maybe it �s a bit of ellipsis. |
15 May 2011
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mariannina
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Thank you Jayho, I appreciate it! I like cooee because of its Aboriginal origin.
Hugs |
15 May 2011
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