Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time

Post #219,198

8/13/05 7:09:21 PM

8/13/05 7:12:57 PM

You seem to be very confused about the word "impose". I only impose something on you if I force it on you. If I offer you a new choice without removing the old, I am not imposing my new choice on you.
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If you remain confused, you may wish to consult a dictionary.

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Ben, I suggest you write to those bastards at the dictionary, because they've got it all wrong. Here's what my Oxford dictionary says for "impose":

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v. trans. to lay on or set on; to put, place or deposit.

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Ain't nothing in there about force, Ben.

--\r\nYou cooin' with my bird?
\r\n[link|http://www.shtuff.us/|shtuff]

Edited by ubernostrum Aug. 13, 2005, 07:12:57 PM EDT

Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time

You seem to be very confused about the word "impose". I only impose something on you if I force it on you. If I offer you a new choice without removing the old, I am not imposing my new choice on you.

If you remain confused, you may wish to consult a dictionary.

Ben, I suggest you write to those bastards at the dictionary, because they've got it all wrong. Here's what my Oxford dictionary says for "impose":

v. trans. to lay on or set on; to put, place or deposit.

Ain't nothing in there about force, Ben.

-- You cooin' with my bird?
[link|http://www.shtuff.us/|shtuff]

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Post #219,230

by ben_tilly

8/14/05 12:20:07 AM

What do the other definitions say?

The free online version of the Oxford has 2 definitions. See [link|http://www.askoxford.com/results/?view=dict&field-12668446=impose&branch=13842570&textsearchtype=exact&sortorder=score%2Cname|http://www.askoxford...rder=score%2Cname]. The one that applies here is clearly force to be accepted, undertaken, or complied with.

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary has 4 definitions. See [link|http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=impose&x=0&y=0|http://www.m-w.com/c...va=impose&x=0&y=0]. The first is the one that applies, and it comes in 2 forms. a : to establish or apply by authority <impose a tax> <impose new restrictions> <impose penalties> b : to establish or bring about as if by force <those limits imposed by our own inadequacies -- C. H. Plimpton>.

Dictionary.com has 5 definitions. See [link|http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=impose|http://dictionary.re...m/search?q=impose]. The first 2 could apply, and are essentially the same as Merriam-Webster's definitions.

Note that part of mastering English is not just being able to recite definitions out of the dictionary, it is having a good enough understanding of how language is used to know which definition is meant.

Regards,
Ben

I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)

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