Active Users:1221 Time:19/12/2024 08:10:02 AM
Back to Messageboard Post New Thread Search Help Stats Rules
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend. Kaldric Send a noteboard - 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM

"Suppose that I like owlbears and you, hobgoblins."


You could be speaking to the hobgoblins.

Diplomacy is an important skill.

I'm sure if I were addressing a group of hobgoblins I'd know it; context is key. However, per my final note, perhaps "Suppose that I like owlbears; you, hobgoblins" should also work without ambiguity.


Well, obviously, if you are addressing "hobgoblins" I would assume that you know that they are, in fact, or at least suspect that they are hobgoblins, or perhaps that the person or persons you are addressing are named "hobgoblins."

Of course, in my experience, most hobgoblins are not interested in how much I like them and owlbears, and the most appropriate response is to flee or hit them with a big stick, unless something more effective is available. They do tend to be quite skilled in the art of war, after all.

So in this case whether one is speaking of or to hobgoblins is, again, invariably clear from context.
Kaldric

P.S. The "NSSP" is implied.

Of course, [Quixote] carried it a bit too far. He thought that every windmill was a giant. That's insane. But, thinking that they might be...
--Justin Playfair, They Might Be Giants
Reply to message
I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Burr - 23/04/2010 02:24:27 AM 1367 Views
I don't actually KNOW LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 02:46:24 AM 374 Views
She doesn't know; I didn't care Larry - 23/04/2010 03:22:42 AM 393 Views
I think the first 2 are OK either way, but the third is wrong (essential clause). *NM* BlackAdder - 23/04/2010 03:44:10 AM 310 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins. Birdeye - 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM 423 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM 318 Views
How the heck did I read Summer Glau here? ironclad - 23/04/2010 07:57:06 AM 347 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM 388 Views
Except to do the opposite of what he intended it snoopcester - 23/04/2010 11:15:20 AM 366 Views
Mmm, yes he does. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM 362 Views
Depends on the independent clauses. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM 354 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM 390 Views
American English is crazy, yo. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 05:51:44 PM 356 Views
LOL Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:54:12 PM 337 Views
I agree with you. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:08:20 AM 317 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah. Joel - 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM 332 Views
Depending on the inflection used... Kaldric - 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM 340 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Joel - 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM 329 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon. LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM 339 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here. Burr - 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM 329 Views
but LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM 316 Views
I believe it's treated like one. The comma takes the place of the verb. *NM* Burr - 24/04/2010 03:23:38 PM 298 Views
Less words=more cumbersome now? Joel - 26/04/2010 07:37:41 AM 361 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Kaldric - 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM 355 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge. Joel - 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM 308 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend. Kaldric - 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM 329 Views
Jesus built my hotrod. Joel - 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM 356 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified... Kaldric - 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM 356 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia. Joel - 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM 369 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits. Kaldric - 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM 349 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids? Joel - 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM 338 Views
Of course not. Kaldric - 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM 361 Views
Apologies for the delay. Joel - 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM 281 Views
You have GOT to be kidding *NM* ironclad - 18/10/2011 02:57:19 PM 264 Views
Nope. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:12:00 PM 288 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon. Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM 354 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM 278 Views
I'm no expert in message board etiquette... Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:57:03 PM 418 Views
I try to err on the side of caution. Joel - 18/10/2011 05:07:47 PM 255 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old Isaac - 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM 272 Views
Ah, I should have done that. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:45:09 PM 282 Views
Re: Ah, I should have done that. Isaac - 18/10/2011 10:47:13 PM 287 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM* Aeryn - 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM 319 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM* Tom - 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM 344 Views
maybe she's a collector? *NM* LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 05:24:51 PM 335 Views
Re: I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:45:31 PM 361 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 23/04/2010 05:26:17 PM 331 Views
It won't work, the only way to banish the Grammar Nazi is with Text Messages Isaac - 23/04/2010 11:41:51 PM 354 Views
You get...300 exposition points, a scroll of open/close quotes, and a direct object. *NM* Burr - 24/04/2010 02:32:48 AM 319 Views
you people are sick. LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:04:40 AM 349 Views
Who cast Summon Nekro? jh - 24/04/2010 04:14:33 PM 300 Views
*NM* Avendesora - 29/04/2010 07:00:00 PM 267 Views
You have successfully summoned People Making Fun of You. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:09:52 AM 280 Views
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM* Tim - 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM 255 Views
I blame my recent return to Baldur's Gate via Tutu. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:46:46 PM 254 Views
Back to Messageboard Post New Thread Search Help Stats Rules