Mike Van V's thread about "frame off" reminded me of one that puzzles me. I frequently see "needs restored". I could understand "needs to be restored" or "needs restoration". Where does this come from?
-
Don Wilson, Centralia, WA
40 Champion 4 door*
50 Champion 2 door*
53 Commander K Auto*
53 Commander K overdrive*
55 President Speedster
62 GT 4Speed*
63 Avanti R1*
64 Champ 1/2 ton
* Formerly owned -
That puzzles me, too, Don. Usually refers to cars but accurately describes internet dates who lie about their age by about a decade
Dave Warren (Perry Mason by day, Perry Como by night) -
How about "ran when parked". Isn't that obvious?Comment
-
That's a perfectly grammatically correct construction where I grew up (western PA) and is common usage. I don't think I even realized that it wasn't standard English until I started dating a girl from elsewhere while I was in college, and she gave me lots of crap for some of my yunzerismsOriginally posted by ddub View Post
nate
(at least I don't say "needs warshed"...)--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagelComment
-
No, that one I can see. Ran when parked, as opposed to "the engine blew up or seized up, which is why it was parked". Of course, who knows if that's always what is meant? That's the way I'd take it.Originally posted by 65cruiser View Post
You're right about 'needs restored', Don. Just poor use of the language. There's plenty of these, like 'changed out' in place of 'changed', or 'once and a while' in place of 'once in a while'. Kind of like Hendrix' "Scuse me, while I kiss this guy"
Of course, none of it's any crime. Just how it is, I guess.Proud NON-CASO
I do not prize the word "cheap." It is not a badge of honor...it is a symbol of despair. ~ William McKinley
If it is decreed that I should go down, then let me go down linked with the truth - let me die in the advocacy of what is just and right.- Lincoln
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Ephesians 6:10-17
Romans 15:13
Deuteronomy 31:6
Proverbs 28:1
Illegitimi non carborundumComment
-
Man oh man, the cabin fever must be starting early this year. It will be a bloodbath here by February.Jim
Often in error, never in doubt
http://rabidsnailracing.blogspot.com/
____1966 Avanti II RQA 0088_______________1963 Avanti R2 63R3152____________http://rabidsnailracing.blogspot.com/Comment
-
Doubled my winter order of Sam Adams and popcorn in anticipation of same.Originally posted by jlmccuan View Post
BobComment
-
It is a holiday. So evryone is being a daytime Forum surfer.
Good Roads
BrianBrian Woods
woodysrods@shaw.ca
1946 M Series (Shop Truck)
Comment
-
How about the seller's line "easy restoration." I've done difficult and I've done impossible, but there is no such animal as an easy restoration. If it was easy, the seller would already have done it and the car would be on Barrett-Jackson.
jack vinesPackardV8Comment
-
The verb "to be" does not exist in Pennsylvania grammar..... I have to deal with this on a regular basis, my wife being from Johnstown.... Myself, having been schooled in New York by Nuns and having a ruler smashed over my knuckles for the slightest infraction, the correct grammar has been indelibly ingrained. I chuckle at most 'country speak' and imagine that Sister Eugene and her 36" wooden Samurai will show up, whenever it's heard in company...
Further, "yun'z" is Pennsylvania speak for "y'all. ( you, all - inclusive, plural) ......64 GT Hawk (K7)
1970 Avanti (R3)Comment
-
BTW: A ruler is 12". 36" is a yardstick. Didn't Sister Eugene learn you anything?Originally posted by 64V-K7 View Post
Back to the thread topic: I always figured "needs restored" was a way to save money on a classified ad. But I see it used so much today and from reading some descriptions I have begun to wonder if they really mean "It's needs have been restored." IE: Where it was needed, we restored it. (It needed paint and upholstery, we restored that part.)KURTRUK
(read it backwards)
Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong. -A. LincolnComment
-
Actually, the construct is correct. It is called "passive voice", and is probably a left-over from the low German that was spoken by many Pennsylvanian German immigrants. The actual definition is:
"In passive constructions, the word which would logically be the object under a corresponding active construction functions as the grammatical subject, while the logical subject either is absent or is represented in a prepositional phrase"
In English, it is archaic, but is still correct. Needs is the verb and restored is the object. The "it" is the logical subject, and the "to be" is logically absent. Go find Sister Eugene and smack her with her own yardstick. Restored is used as a gerund.
Forgot to add, it is in future perfect tense.Comment
-
"Needs restored" is a phrase so grammatically bad, it's fun to use (among car guys that is), and it still appears in serious ads.....Comment
-
Along those lines, another favorite of mine is seeing a completely worn out car needing every square inch redone with the description, "great Winter project"Originally posted by PackardV8 View Post Even here in the land of crazy-long winters we don't get a couple thousand hours of extra time to restore cars...
Proud NON-CASO
I do not prize the word "cheap." It is not a badge of honor...it is a symbol of despair. ~ William McKinley
If it is decreed that I should go down, then let me go down linked with the truth - let me die in the advocacy of what is just and right.- Lincoln
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Ephesians 6:10-17
Romans 15:13
Deuteronomy 31:6
Proverbs 28:1
Illegitimi non carborundumComment
-
That's a contraction of what you here in the western NC mountains, particularly around Madison County (look up Bloody Madison sometime..it's not changed much) anyway, this a hyar is th' way of sayin' it: 'you 'uns'...two syllables. And you 'uns is always welcome to set a spell with we 'uns.Originally posted by 64V-K7 View PostRon Dame
'63 ChampComment
Comment