For some time, The Tusker, edited by former Primary teacher and prof at pretendy wee uni UWS, John Robertson (Higher English C pass, Grangemouth, 1968) has been shocked by the Old Testament style of Common Weal founder, Robin McAlpine, in the Source.
Now, it seems the Source is not only losing the plot but also the grammatical accuracy and sense required at this level.
In yesterday’s panicked attempt by them to join the MSM’s scare campaign against SNP school re-opening, the Source report is somewhat flawed.
Bad grammar and nonsense are not tolerated here, so their no!
Anyhoo, here it are, the highlights.
They think there was only 250 infectious people – were!
They think there was only 250 infectious people – were!
The effects of exponential growth quickly kick-in. Exponential growth is the effect of an increased R figure.
The Scottish Government were aiming for – was!
It was always questionable that the First Minister was using the language of elimination – No it wasn’t. She was. We all heard her using that language. Professors Sridhar and Bauld often agreed with her. Do you mean she shouldn’t have been using it? Why not?
The Scottish Government have announced – has!
We know internationally – you can know ‘internationally?’ I can barely know in my own head. We know from international evidence?
Which brings us to the schools fully re-opening this week – you can’t start a sentence, far less a paragraph, with a coordinating conjunction like ‘which.’ Try ‘This’ instead.
One US policy brief on schools re-opening examined China, Denmark, Norway, Singapore and Taiwan’s approaches, which have all had schools re-opened – That sentence means that the ‘approaches‘ not the countries had the schools re-opened. Clumsy.
While there is not a lot of specific evidence internationally linking schools re-openings to outbreaks, minimising risk at every possible opportunity is surely logical – If there is not a lot of evidence and it would cost a lot of money and time to implement, how can it be logical?
No doubt readers are growing weary of Covid-19 warnings and debates about restriction measures, as are we. But it can’t be said enough – You can start a sentence with ‘but’ but there was no need there to stop the first sentence.
Sigh…
It’s pretty poor, isn’t it? Particularly since its associated with Common Weal that try to sell themselves as an intellectual think tank. Doesn’t do much for their credibility that’s for sure.
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Have I been too harsh with a wee junior?
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Nah.
How are we meant to read any of their stuff when it grates so much to do so? Common Weal ARE trying to do good stuff, but their ability to communicate is woeful.
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I know it’s petty of me but Common Weal are so up their own backside it’s good to see them get a much deserved reality check.
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Heh, I’ve been SO wanting to use that phrase for them, it seems the best description, but haven’t been bold enough 😉
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OooooH…is this all the thanks we get for doing all the heavy lifting…you’ll be sorry if we just give up…boo hoo..
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Yeah, we need a better phrase so their egos aren’t too badly damaged, I’m struggling to come up with one though, particularly with that McAlpine character’s style of writing,,,
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Reality check? Grammar and punctuation checks . . . Plus a bit of logic thrown in!
C. W. And R. McA. . . Will still not know which way is up.
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