tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184575347466163757.post6558409213473389040..comments2023-07-03T08:51:01.209-05:00Comments on What Powderfinger Said . . . Observations on Life in the Dying Empire: The Way They Used to Do ItAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00111660094586126379noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184575347466163757.post-68899846801984654542012-06-25T15:50:37.422-05:002012-06-25T15:50:37.422-05:00It is a standard rule when I'm copy editing to...It is a standard rule when I'm copy editing to shit-can every instance of "dummy subject" I find. My rule is why use a dummy when I can use a real live one.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00111660094586126379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184575347466163757.post-26123099628043919302012-06-25T11:45:45.145-05:002012-06-25T11:45:45.145-05:00"No cars available" is no more awkward t..."No cars available" is no more awkward than the dummy subject form.<br /><br />There is no "are" in it, but many languages seem to be able to do without the verb "to be" in a number of situations.<br /><br />And I never heard of a "gerund: until I studied Latin in High School; there were gerunds and gerundives.Montaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00017648070522030951noreply@blogger.com