For bitching about language pedantry, other posters' language, and language in general

That is not the passive voice. The verb in that sentence is a copula. They’re entirely different, although they both use the verb to be. Maybe that’s how they are gotten confused.

Preach it! I’m reading a book by an author whom I personally admire, but she does that on every other page. Cumulatively, it becomes irritating.

Whenever anyone says they’re “laying,” I go “What are you, a hen?”

In the context of this thread, we refer to it, per @Atamasama as:

What’s Normal Operating Temperature (which I can only assume you meant, since you capitalized all those letters) got to do with this?

I blame Bob Dylan. “Lay Lady Lay” sets my teeth on edge.

It doesn’t mine, because I assume that in that song the sexual implication is deliberate.

But usually it does, because I always hear the sexual implication; and “lay” in the incorrect fashion is often used when that wouldn’t be appropriate.

“Lie, Lady, Lie” would just be asking for trouble.:face_with_hand_over_mouth:

Oh, baby!

I always thought a copula was a term in statistics for a multivariate cumulative distribution function, or possibly a domed structure on top of a roof (wait, that’s “cupola”!).

Notwithstanding your erudite correction, I maintain that there’s a passive element there (one might almost be inclined to describe it as “passive-aggressive”) which shares with the passive voice the desire to avoid accountability by characterizing some action or belief as essentially an unavoidable force of nature rather than a personal choice. For example, the Big Kahuna stating “effective next week your salaries will be reduced by 20%” instead of “I’m cutting your salaries by 20% next week (because I’m a greedy asshole)”. It fools no one but it makes the speaker appear less culpable.

Your latest example (“will be reduced”) really is the passive voice.

Sweet & spicy honey indeed. Rowwwrrr!!!

That’s a you problem. Please stop inflicting it on everyone else.

Thank you for the kind invitation, but I think I’ll have to pass. While I have no appetite for the creation of an Academie Anglais (if you’ll pardon my neologism), I see the dumbing down of English in the matters of accepted conjugated forms and metaphorical idioms as an everyone problem.

Do languages not evolve?

What you call “dumbing down” is a natural process and probably improving a very crappy language by normalizing it more.

English could use a lot of dumbing down it would seem.

I can see simplification of antiquated writing(and speaking) of the English language can only be a plus.
If understanding is the goal.

Read a bit of Shakespeare.

I don’t know if this is the most pompous post ever made on this message board, but it’s gotta be in the running.

Look for one by someone who DOES want to found the Academie Anglais.

If it leads to words such as “sprang” ceasing to be recognized, it’s ludicrous to characterize that as a improvement.

There are plenty of things I read on the Dope that are nails on a chalkboard for me, so I understand where you’re coming from. But as Larry_Borgia said, it’s my problem that those things bother me, and it would be rude and selfish of me to point them out every time. I’m not asking you to get over them; I just ask why you need to point it out to everyone else.

Is your goal to teach the poster correct spelling and grammar? Then why not send a PM to the poster instead of interrupting the thread for everyone. And if it seems weird to send a PM to someone to correct their spelling, then maybe consider why you think it’s OK to post it publicly.

Some works of art can only be summed up as “Dick Sprang.”