Grammatical question

**Iccz** · 06-03-2009, 6:47 PM

While talking with a friend and the word "texted" came into conversation, and to me this sounds terrible when used in conversation...

Quote:

I texted him earlier

Personally when i'm using the word text in a past tense i'll say something like:

Quote:

I sent him a text earlier

I've also seen people use text as a verb, for example:

Quote:

I text you last night

Quote:

I will text you later

Which just sounds a bit stupid to me...

The problem lies with the fact "text", to me is not a verb... it does not indicate that you are doing something, it is just the message, and as you'd assume from the word "text" just infact a bunch of text...
So although it takes a little longer to say it makes sense to go for my method of using a verb such as send or sent...

What is your take on this?
Sorry for the silly pedantic thread but things like this really bug me

ste v p · 06-03-2009, 6:58 PM

TBH I'm not a fan of "texted" either; it just sounds wrong. However, I think it's only a matter of time before text is defined as both a noun and a verb and we'll just have to get used to it!

j98 · 06-03-2009, 7:05 PM

Even "a text" doesn't sound right now I think about it. "A message" makes more sense.

**Leej** · 06-03-2009, 7:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iccz

What is your take on this?

I've no take on it but have texted a mate to see what he thinks.

jassco · 06-03-2009, 7:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ste1000

TBH I'm not a fan of "texted" either; it just sounds wrong. However, I think it's only a matter of time before text is defined as both a noun and a verb and we'll just have to get used to it!

texted isn't correct at all imo. it's like saying commonist instead of most common. i'll admit i do use text as a verb though in the contexts you mentioned

whiskyboozer · 06-03-2009, 7:21 PM

According to Oxford English Dictionary there has been a verb to text since the 1500s. The modern usage has been adopted by them since 2004 and they use an example which includes the word 'texted'

**Iccz** · 06-03-2009, 7:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j98

Even "a text" doesn't sound right now I think about it. "A message" makes more sense.

well "a text" is just short for "a text message"

I don't have a problem with shortening that down, it's just the context in which it is sometimes used.

I don't mind such as "i'll text you" etc as much as i'm guilty of using it, but the word "texted" just doesn't sound right to me at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiskyboozer

According to Oxford English Dictionary there has been a verb to text since the 1500s. The modern usage has been adopted by them since 2004 and they use an example which includes the word 'texted'

I just found this:

Quote:

It isn't new actually. Although the verb 'to text' is a modern feature of today's English, you can actually trace it back to the 16th century when 'to text', in those days, was to write something in very large letters, in capital letters, in 'text hand'. And, if you look it up in a big dictionary these days, you'll often be told "this verbal use is now rather rare". Well it was rare until about 4 or 5 years ago. Since then of course, everybody's been using it, and it's produced a whole new family of words.

Interesting...

Steve.J.Davies · 06-03-2009, 7:48 PM

Iccz is correct in response to this "Question of grammar"

signs · 06-03-2009, 7:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leej

I've no take on it but have texted a mate to see what he thinks.

Has he texted "u" back yet ?

**Steven** · 06-03-2009, 7:59 PM

Pronounce it as a mangled sounding "text-tud" if it bothers?

"Text" would have to be accepted as a verb through common usage. Just have to accept the times (which to be truthful has been a good number of years now...).

Same with "google"

**Leej** · 06-03-2009, 8:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signs

Has he texted "u" back yet ?

Yes but I couldn't understand it I so texted him back and told him to ringed me instead

signs · 06-03-2009, 8:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leej

Yes but I couldn't understand it I so texted him back and told him to ringed me instead

coolieo

kevandalice · 07-03-2009, 3:19 AM

People who say the plural of text as 'textses' instead of texts should be shot

Mr Incredible · 07-03-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevandalice

People who say the plural of text as 'textses' instead of texts should be shot

How do you know they just can't pronounce "texts" properly?

Ned Senior · 07-03-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevandalice

People who say the plural of text as 'textses' instead of texts should be shot

You been listening to Radio 1 extra????

eric pisch · 07-03-2009, 12:42 PM

i normally say text'd instead of texted which does sound daft

but text is a totally valid verb in my books and can be used in relation to the act of sending a text message

Dave Weystoner · 07-03-2009, 1:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevandalice

People who say the plural of text as 'textses' instead of texts should be shot

Isn't that where George Bush comes from?

In a similar vein, what's the plural of (computer) mouse? Mice just doesn't seem right somehow.

Dave

**Iccz** · 07-03-2009, 1:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Weystoner

Isn't that where George Bush comes from?

In a similar vein, what's the plural of (computer) mouse? Mice just doesn't seem right somehow.

Dave

Surely Mice is the plural regardless of the context the word is used.
Sounds fine to me

**Steven** · 07-03-2009, 1:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Weystoner

In a similar vein, what's the plural of (computer) mouse? Mice just doesn't seem right somehow.

If the plural of mouse is not mice then what would it be?

Mr Incredible · 07-03-2009, 2:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

If the plural of mouse is not mice then what would it be?

According to Mr Jinks in Pixie and Dixie, it's meeces.

C225 · 07-03-2009, 2:11 PM

One thing i've wondered is why if the plural of mouse is mice then why is the plural of house not hice?

Dave Weystoner · 07-03-2009, 2:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C225

One thing i've wondered is why if the plural of mouse is mice then why is the plural of house not hice?

Because hice is just a posh way of saying house, silly.

OK, I give in on the mice thing; or I may revert to 'tactile human-computer input devices'.

Dave

**Iccz** · 07-03-2009, 2:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Weystoner

Isn't that where George Bush comes from?

In a similar vein, what's the plural of (computer) mouse? Mice just doesn't seem right somehow.

Dave

If you really want to be pedantic you could say "Pointing Devices"

If you use MOUSE as an acronym:
Manually Operated User Selection Equipment
I guess you technically could use Mouses, or for the grammar pedants MOUSEs

Quote:

Originally Posted by C225

One thing i've wondered is why if the plural of mouse is mice then why is the plural of house not hice?

I think it's because when you say houses you say the first s as a z, houzes, so it would probably be acceptable to say mouzes, but... that just doesn't sound right.

Hice sounds awfully German too

Toasty · 07-03-2009, 6:18 PM

This isn't any different to email:

I emailed you earlier, I will email you later..

I guess, I sent you an email earlier, I will send you an email later, sounds a bit better, but hey, why be verbose?

Ned Senior · 07-03-2009, 9:08 PM

Funny I have today been surveying the Hice and Grinds....

What's the difference between a buffalo and a Bison???

Ye canny wash your hands in a buffalo

Mr Incredible · 07-03-2009, 9:18 PM

Everything for the Hice...

YouTube - The Two Ronnies - 1984 Christmas Special (Part 1 of 6)

Skip past the intro to get to the sketch.

Rorifett · 08-03-2009, 5:31 AM

What I don't understand (or at least, what I think sounds pretty awkward) is saying fitted.

Y'know like - the window fitted in the window frame. Surely the window fat in the window frame? You didn't sitted on the seat you sat on the seat...

English is a weird language like.

eric pisch · 08-03-2009, 8:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Incredible

Everything for the Hice...

YouTube - The Two Ronnies - 1984 Christmas Special (Part 1 of 6)

Skip past the intro to get to the sketch.

YouTube - The two ronnies - Fork handles