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That -ing word. Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

PieterM: I checked today on these four caches along this road and unfortunately I will have to archive them. When the new fence was put up the road shoulder was cleared and the road widened which does not leave any place to hide something.
A cache would stand out like a sore thumb.

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Hidden : 12/18/2016
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Let's not look at grammar as a cold, harsh mistress. She can also be a fun, kooky aunt. With some tricks you can make crazy sounding sentences that are still grammatically correct.


This exceeding trifling witling, considering ranting criticizing concerning adopting fitting wording being exhibiting transcending learning, was displaying, notwithstanding ridiculing, surpassing boasting swelling reasoning, respecting correcting erring writing, and touching detecting deceiving arguing during debating.

This sentence takes advantage of the versatile English โ€“ing. The author of a 19th century grammar guide lamented the fact that one could "run to great excess" in the use of โ€“ing participles "without violating any rule of our common grammars," and constructed this sentence to prove it. It doesn't seem so complicated once you realize it means, "This very superficial grammatist, supposing empty criticism about the adoption of proper phraseology to be a show of extraordinary erudition, was displaying, in spite of ridicule, a very boastful turgid argument concerning the correction of false syntax, and about the detection of false logic in debate." Not only is this a great example of the wonderful crazy things you can do within the bounds of proper English, it's the perfect response to pull out the next time someone tries to criticize your grammar.




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