Date: Tue, 7 Mar 1995 09:44:13 -0600

From: debaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UIUC.EDU

Subject: Re: subject blooper





How much of the future "history of the language" will derive from

typos rather than language change? (Not a serious comment, but not

not serious either.) DMLance



If it was based on my writing, alot. (sic)

Dennis Baron debaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]uiuc.edu





Certainly one might prefer,



"Should it happen to be based..." or

"If it were to be based..."



'If it was based,' much has already been lost.



Or was that the point?



Terry Irons





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Terry Lynn Irons t.irons[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]msuacad.morehead-st.edu

Voice Mail: (606) 783-5164

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I guess it's the point that's been lost. Or should it be if I were to have

guessed?



BTW, I don't think the shriveling of the subjunctive were to have much to

do with writing, might in not be the case?



D

Dennis Baron debaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]uiuc.edu



Department of English office: 217-333-2392

University of Illinois fax: 217-333-4321

608 South Wright Street home: 217-384-1683

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