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The English Language Ain'T Easy

If you think the English language is easy to speak, Perhaps you have a thing, or two, to learn. You might say “axed” when you mean “asked” When is it appropriate to say “dang,” “darn,” or “durn?” “Advice” or “advise,” ”accept” or “except,” --a curse Tempted to use “illicit” when you mean “elicit?” Misusing “averse” when you mean “adverse?” If you are not careful, you will completely botch it. “Farther” and “further” are especially difficult: One describes distance, the other quantity, or degree, “Hanged” or “hung” present similar predicaments, In both cases one word should do, but don’t “axe” me. Who knew “ingenious” and “ingenuous” aren’t the same, And few folks get “nauseous” and “nauseated” right. Do you have “relatives” or “relations” or “relationships?” If you want to quote an authority, do you use “site” or “cite”? What is the difference between “already” and “all ready?” Which one is correct “could care less” or “couldn’t care less? Not to mention when you use “altogether” or “all together,” Is it “there’s” “theirs,” “they’re”, its or it’s --what a mess! “Continual” or “continuous,” and “fewer” or “less,” “Conscience” and “conscious” lead some folks astray. Are you “enthused” or “enthusiastic,” “infer” or “imply? I hesitate to bring up the inevitable “can” or “may!” So, “them” or “those” foreigners should learn "our tongue;" It’ll make life simpler, “to,” “two” or “too,” for everyone. “Who” or “whom?” -- please, let’s give these folks a break Because English is not so easy, when all is said and done!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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Date: 3/22/2021 2:18:00 PM
Amen. When I was 10 & stated I wanted to be a writer, my mom laughed, saying, “You must love the language to be a writer.” Thus, I set to it. Still at it, now 70, & still fascinated. Also a draughtsman, in 8th grade I Liked learning to diagram sentences, because it combined words w/drawing! :) super pen
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/22/2021 2:36:00 PM
Fantastic that you blended the two, Sally. Thanks for the read. I really appreciated your visit.
Date: 3/20/2021 1:25:00 PM
Milton, je suis d'accord avec vous. J'ai grandi dans une famille française, c'est-à-dire canadienne, mais je préfère la langue parisienne. Le français canadien, selon qui le parle, est, pour être franc, une autre espèce de français. Il m'a fallu des années pour réparer toutes les erreurs que ma famille, mes amis et mes proches canadiens m'ont enseignées. / Maurice
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/20/2021 1:27:00 PM
Je comprends. Je parle francaise un peu, assez de la poeme. Merci beaucoup!
Date: 3/18/2021 5:22:00 PM
You are so right! Our language can be very confusing. I enjoyed this! Blessings, Kim M.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/18/2021 7:03:00 PM
Thanks for the read, Kim.
Date: 3/18/2021 7:16:00 AM
What a fun write Milt. And so true. I have ESL friends who speak much better English than do I. It's funny when they correct me. :) Great poem! Linda
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/18/2021 9:06:00 AM
Thanks for reading my poem, Linda. I really appreciated your visit.
Date: 3/17/2021 5:51:00 PM
This was creative, fun and full of all kinds of information. It sounds like you know your dialects.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2021 6:52:00 PM
Thanks so much, Caren. Many years ago, I aspired to be a linguist. Trust me, French and Spanish are a breeze compared to English! Thanks for reading my poem.
Date: 3/17/2021 5:31:00 PM
Welcome to America where we don't speak English anymore anyway. Not Chinese, not Japanese, but American Knees is our transactional tongue. ~ Shaky Spear
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2021 6:53:00 PM
LOL. Gershon, you really are too much! Thanks for stopping by.
Date: 3/17/2021 1:53:00 PM
Very funny, the English language is strange indeed. Do you remember a comic named Gallagher? He did a great bit on the absurdities on the English language you might find amusing. I pity anyone trying to learn the ins and outs of it all. John
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2021 4:01:00 PM
Thanks, John. I do remember Gallagher, and I'll try to find his bit. The English language is so complex, but, as you know, most of us don't think about it because we learned it naturally from birth.
Date: 3/17/2021 1:41:00 PM
well said Milton the English language certainly can be complicated and then we have to contend with the alternative meanings to the US lol:-) hugs Jan xx
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2021 1:54:00 PM
I know. I plan on writing something alone those lines, too. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Jan. I really appreciate it.
Date: 3/17/2021 1:30:00 PM
L. Milton, I agree with you wholeheartedly on the sentiments at the heart of this impeccable work. In return, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for your generous review of “Speaking The Language.” Howard
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2021 1:53:00 PM
Aw, thanks, Howard. I really enjoyed your poem. Thanks for stopping by.
Date: 3/17/2021 1:13:00 PM
Oh I do so agree. Unless it's the language you grew up with it is a gigantic undertaking to learn the English language. I admire anyone who learns more than one language. Great write Milton. Deserves POTD. God Bless, JB
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2021 1:24:00 PM
Thanks, Judy. wow, I appreciate your kind endorsement.
Date: 3/17/2021 12:34:00 PM
Neither or either, weather or whether, It does get complicated, Very nicely penned ...
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2021 12:52:00 PM
Thanks, Joseph. I could have gone on and on and on...there are so many examples, but I had to stop. Thanks, too, for the examples, yep, I considered them, too. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.

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