Good idea. An online English grammar test over at the Guardian. But what’s this? I got one wrong!? Identify which of the following nouns are abstract and/or collective 8. Pride Abstract Collective Abstract and collective I gave the answer as being Abstract. According to the site the […]
Does it matter if you have a limited vocabulary? Yes it does, according to this magnificent piece by E D Hirsch Jr: Why should vocabulary size be related to achieved intelligence and real-world competence? Though the intricate details of cognitive abilities are under constant study and refinement, it’s possible to […]
Here is my Telegraph Blogs take on The Speech: The core Cameron calculation turns on his probably shrewd calculation that the centre of gravity of the British people’s position on “Europe” is that they want Some EU, but Not Too Much. He therefore has promised them a referendum on a […]
My piece for The Commentator on the PM’s UK/EU speech as a speech: … Those sentences, like the opening blather about the origins of the European Union, are intended to send a strong signal to other European capitals: You won’t get a better UK Conservative leader than me who has […]
Before the Internet how would we ever have been able to read a magnificent analysis by James Daily of the contract presented to Bilbo by the dwarves? The contract in the book is short and to the point. The film version (for padding) is far longer and a lot more […]
UPDATE: More fine examples added – see below Unless you have really been paying attention for a very long time, you will have missed my various attempts to share examples of diplomatic themes appearing in great rock lyrics. And the time has come for a former senior diplomatic practitioner (ie […]
If you shoot someone and kill them. you are said to shoot them dead. But this can cause all sorts of grammar difficulties: “Police shoot dead homeless man“. Does that mean the police shot a homeless man and killed him? Or does it mean that a homelsss man was dead […]
Poised as I was yet again to waste time and scour my year’s output to find some items worthy of entry in the 2013 Orwell Prize for Bloggers, I then discovered that the prize for Bloggers has been suspended! See the rather lame explanation here. It seems to argue that […]
Another sizzling interview with Camille Paglia, who proclaims on her latest book and life in general: I don’t like reality shows and have never watched them, but I’m addicted to “Real Housewives” because it’s authentic old-time soap opera reborn! But beyond that, the shows are all about glamour — make […]
My short piece remonstrating with Guardian literary critic Nicholas Lezard on the fact that he writes at length in critical terms about Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged while admitting he hasn’t read it has prompted a businesslike reply from Mr Lezard himself: Dear Mr Crawford, I am, indeed, a literary critic. […]
