Constitute: Difference between revisions

From The Jolly Contrarian
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{a|plainenglish|
{{a|plainenglish|
[[File:Rene and brian.jpg|450px|thumb|center|I jam, therefore I am.]]
[[File:Rene and brian.jpg|450px|thumb|center|I jam, therefore I am.]]
}}The {{tag|verb}} you use when “to be” — the foundational verb of the English language — the very bedrock from which [[Descartes]] derived our existence as intellectual beings — won’t do.
}}The [[verb]] you use when “to be” — the foundational verb of the English language — the very bedrock from which [[Descartes]] derived our existence as intellectual beings — won’t do.


Usage: if you really feel the need to [[I never said it was|state the negative]], and something like “this is not financial advice” seems insufficiently portentous, try ''“this material shall not [[constitute]], or be [[deemed]] to [[constitute]], financial advice.”''
Usage: if you really feel the need to [[I never said it was|state the negative]], and something like “this is not financial advice” seems insufficiently portentous, try ''“this material shall not [[constitute]], or be [[deemed]] to [[constitute]], financial advice.”''


The present indicative form of the verb be must be the most rudimentary expression of meaning in the English language. It is only right that [[legal eagle]]s should bastardise it. As [[René Descartes]]’ [[legal eagle|legal team]] is rumoured to have said,<ref>They didn’t. I just made this up.</ref> “I [[shall]] [[for the time being]], be engaged in cognitive activity; as a direct consequence thereof, I [[shall]] be [[deemed]] to be [[constitute]]d.”
The present indicative form of the verb be must be the most rudimentary expression of meaning in the English language. It is only right that [[legal eagle]]s should bastardise it. As [[René Descartes]]’ [[legal eagle|legal team]] is rumoured to have said,<ref>They didn’t. I just made this up.</ref> “I [[shall]] [[for the time being]], be engaged in cognitive activity; as a direct consequence thereof, I [[shall]] be [[deemed]] [[constitute]]d.”


{{sa}}
{{sa}}

Latest revision as of 13:30, 14 August 2024

Towards more picturesque speech
I jam, therefore I am.
SEC guidance on plain EnglishIndex: Click to expand:
Tell me more
Sign up for our newsletter — or just get in touch: for ½ a weekly 🍺 you get to consult JC. Ask about it here.

The verb you use when “to be” — the foundational verb of the English language — the very bedrock from which Descartes derived our existence as intellectual beings — won’t do.

Usage: if you really feel the need to state the negative, and something like “this is not financial advice” seems insufficiently portentous, try “this material shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, financial advice.”

The present indicative form of the verb be must be the most rudimentary expression of meaning in the English language. It is only right that legal eagles should bastardise it. As René Descarteslegal team is rumoured to have said,[1] “I shall for the time being, be engaged in cognitive activity; as a direct consequence thereof, I shall be deemed constituted.”

See also

References

  1. They didn’t. I just made this up.