Thursday, June 9, 2011

Gifted: a definition

gift·ed

adj \ˈgif-təd\

Definition of GIFTED

1
: having great natural ability : talented <gifted children>
2
: revealing a special gift <gifted voices>
— gift·ed·ly adverb
— gift·ed·ness noun
Not a verb.

See?

So you can't say that someone gifted you with a book.

There's already a word for that.

Gave.

Someone gave you a book. As a gift, if you need to describe it further. But usually there is no need.

A gift is given or received. Not gifted. The gift was gifted to me? No.

I realize this word is in the process of changing in the popular vocabulary but ... it. is. driving. me. batty.

B.A.T.T.Y.
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9 comments:

  1. Anonymous6/9/11, 4:45 PM

    Amen, Sister!
    You need to check out the book, "The Fight for English". It's half history, half deconstruction of modern English grammar and spelling.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julie6/9/11, 4:47 PM

    I'll check it out ... it sounds as if it is right down my alley! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous6/9/11, 5:18 PM

    Thank you! This has been bothering me for a while. I first heard it from one of my most beloved friends, so have been quite reluctant to say anything. Friendship is more important than grammar. But still.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mack Hall6/9/11, 6:03 PM

    O My Queen,

    Merriam-Webster -- yawn. Now if you really want to impress folks with an authority, refer to any edition of Fowler's Modern English Usage. MODERN ENGLISH USAGE should be italicized, of course, but I can't figure out this machine.

    Y'r 'Umble Ob't S'rv'nt, and, like, stuff,

    Mack

    ReplyDelete
  5. Will Duquette6/9/11, 6:47 PM

    Thank you for gifting me with this, as I couldn't agree more-- Hey, you kids! Get off of my lawn!

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Margaret E. Perry6/9/11, 8:46 PM

    YES. OHMYGOODNESSGRACIOUSYES.

    (ok, I promise, I'll stop commented now.)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Julie6/10/11, 8:11 AM

    Yes, I forgot my crazy codger sign-off. Thank you Will for helping out there! :-D

    Margaret, any day with one comment from you is a good 'un. Four comments make it a fantastic day! :-)

    Mack ... I never heard of Fowler's before but have just found that you can't find it online. So .... I am going to see what the library (appropriately old-fashioned!) will provide me. :-D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Deacon Bill Burns6/10/11, 8:32 AM

    Nothing drives me nuttier than when people verb their nouns.

    ReplyDelete
  9. J.C.6/10/11, 9:36 AM

    While I will be the first to admit that I am extremely guilty of making up a lot of words, I do not think I have ever heard that used in a serious context (although I may have turned many a noun into verbs when joking with friends). I support your frustration, and will join your cause.

    ReplyDelete

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