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

>Snail Mail:       UPO 604 Morehead, KY 40351

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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



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