The preposition!
Yesterday, I asked you to find the mistake in a sign.
Usually when I send you signs to correct, they’re signs I find in Europe.
But this time, I found it here in the U.S.
Even native speakers have problems with prepositions!
INCORRECT: be respectful to others
CORRECT: be respectful of others
But it’s not a huge deal.
I understand.
It’s clear and simple.
So not a terrible mistake; it just sounds a little strange to my ears.
Zero vs No
Several readers thought there was a problem with the word “zero.”
It is a new expression.
Just a few years ago you would say “absolutely no photos.”
But now, this is a common expression and I rather like it; it makes the sentence sound stronger.
Example from the internet: Photographer shows absolutely zero fear when facing down two grizzly bears
Also, the article “the” is missing.
But that’s common in signs and newspaper headlines; the writer wants to make his message shorter, so it’s ok.
Cheers,
Mr. Vig
P.S.
But is this sign fair?
What if you’re in the sauna and you get hungry?
An American would probably order some chicken wings to be delivered.
And then, what if he’s the type of person who likes to photograph his food?
What then?
Will he just tell his friends and family about his delicious chicken wings he ate in the sauna?
They might not believe him.
They might think he’s lying.
They would lose their respect for him.
They would stop returning his calls.
He would become depressed.
He would start using drugs and alcohol.
And pretty soon, he would be homeless and using incorrect prepositions every day!
All because of this sign…
What a nice story. I enjoyed reading. I really feel like my English speaking skils improuving. Your lessons very short, modern & easy hold too. A multivitamin.
Thank you Mr Vig.
Super Mr.Vig,
Very nice story! I like it very much! Please go on ! Thanks!
Very fanny
I enjoy with your stories every time!
I agree with Sandya – they are multivitamin!
Thank you again, dear Mr. Vig!
Nice story. Thanks for helping us with the correct use of English.
Thank you Mr Vig! Funny VitaminV ! Love it!
So it was that “of” instead of “to”! I would not have thought! “to” sounds better to me!
But further: eating in the sauna and taking pictures is a bit much! Regardless of “to” or “of”, where is the respect “of” others in the sauna? Or were you alone there? Even so !
Culinary smells mixed with steam and heat do not amplify the effect of the sauna!
So I would have added on that sign:
ZERO food in the sauna!!😂👍
I really feel sorry for the poor American, starving in the sauna!! hahaha…
Maybe the “Sauna restaurant with photos” is being invented!!😂👍.
Nice day for you!!❤️
Your intuition is correct, you are respectful of things but respectful to people. Mr. Vig has missed the mark with this one.
Absolutely agréé, no photos, no selfies. 🙂
I’m confused. I learned that one is respectful to someone and respectful of something (Law, or Rights, for example). I keep confused
You were taught right, actually.
Thanks, Boldi.
😄… A funny story.
Are you also a person who likes to make foodies? I like it, especially if it looks delicious or just as a memory. But I don’t think I would make a foodie in the sauna, or better yet, I wouldn’t eat.
jajajajajajajajaja that’s a good thing! you made my day Mr. Vig! 🙂
Super Mr. Vig. Very nice story.
The internet knows otherwise… I think “to” is by no means incorrect when we talk of the respect shown towards others.
https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/respectful-to-of.2697304/
Mr. Vig, I congratulate you on your sense of humor.
It’s very unusual to hear that. What’s written in the rules and what’s spoken are often not the same. Educated native speakers say “be polite to” and “be respectful of.”
Well, nobody possesses the philosopher’s stone of the English language, be it a native person or otherwise. The language also changes, nothing wrong with that. But this usage has been around for so long in the works of such authorities of English-language literature, that it is almost embarrassing for me to cite an examples when you could easily find them yourself. Do you think Mark Twain spoke, nay, wrote English well enough? Check out “Advice to Youth” (1882) and see how he uses the adjective respectful in a phrase. (Spoiler: he writes, “Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any, also to strangers, and sometimes to others.”) Other literary examples abound.
May I throw the ball back at you and ask you for a source that prescribes the use of “respectful of” with regard to people? I mean you do have those “rules” in which this is written? Thanks.
Still waiting…
It was a.too small mistake to find out myself with my English level that is not the highest; but I’m pleased to communicate and write my ideas.I noticed the problem is always with grammar mistakes. Eh, as you said grammar can causes depression as well as making photos in the sauna…!
Me too I like this expression ” absolutely zero” because it sound somehow artistically.
At least I suppose I reached kindergarten level
to grow up in the future.!
Hi Ryan!
It keeps getting better.
Real English trough the prism of your humor – it´s great!
Each Vitamin with a new word or expresson… I couldn´t ask for anything more.
(Even the story of grizzly bears was easy to read)
Thanks
and the best!
Thanks
Thank you for this story. I needed your vitamin “V” today Mr. Vig 🙂
Thank’ Mr Vig!
I think that sign is fair. That are rules that should give respectful of others users. If you need to take photos, choose another place wher you can do it.
It’s tragic story .. and if somebody was starved e. g. during childhood … the story can be true … 🫣🧑⚕️
hahahaha!