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A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 11 Jan 2018, 05:02
by Lincolnshirelass
In the busses in our area there is a sign that requests 'Please do not play music too loud.' Now at first I thought that was wrong as it should be LOUDLY, eg, adverb relating to verb 'to play', but then realised that there was also an argument for the sign as it was, with LOUD as an adjective relating to the noun 'music'. Would you say both were acceptable?
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 12 Jan 2018, 16:38
by SPasciuti
I would argue for loudly on the basis that it just sounds better? But grammatically, I think they're both correct?
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 15 Jan 2018, 23:21
by Conorergosum
I think in this case, I would go for ‘loudly’. If the adjective argument was to be made, it could just be rephrased as ‘please do not play loud music’. Although I do think both are grammatically correct.
An aside: shouldn’t it be buses and not busses? I would imagine the latter to be used in the context of say, ‘bussing a table’ or something on those lines... I hope I’m right.
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 16 Jan 2018, 03:14
by Lincolnshirelass
Thanks, both, for your advice. I didn't get the red underline for 'busses', so presumed it was okay - maybe both are!
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 17 Jan 2018, 21:29
by ReyvrexQuestor Reyes
I get the idea that this sign is where people are allowed to "buss" or "kiss" and hence loud music may not be needed, after all. I think both instances (including the one you cited) would just be fine. If this is a matter for the review, then the editors will have to decide.
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 18 Jan 2018, 04:09
by Alice Heritage
Lincolnshirelass wrote: ↑11 Jan 2018, 05:02
In the busses in our area there is a sign that requests 'Please do not play music too loud.' Now at first I thought that was wrong as it should be LOUDLY, eg, adverb relating to verb 'to play', but then realised that there was also an argument for the sign as it was, with LOUD as an adjective relating to the noun 'music'. Would you say both were acceptable?
Hi LL. I know what you mean but then I started thinking about phrases like "out loud". I looked it up and found out that 'loud' is also the adverb:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/loud
Talking of notices, I'm now remembering when Sainsburys changed their express till signs to "8 items or fewer"
.
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 18 Jan 2018, 04:11
by Alice Heritage
Conorergosum wrote: ↑15 Jan 2018, 23:21
I think in this case, I would go for ‘loudly’. If the adjective argument was to be made, it could just be rephrased as ‘please do not play loud music’. Although I do think both are grammatically correct.
An aside: shouldn’t it be buses and not busses? I would imagine the latter to be used in the context of say, ‘bussing a table’ or something on those lines... I hope I’m right.
Hi Conor. According to Oxford, both spellings are correct:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/bus
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 21 Jan 2018, 20:24
by Mr Benj
I think 'too loud' is alright just as you can also say' please donot talk too slow or do not shout too loud'.
Yours sincerely,
Bok48.
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 26 Jan 2018, 05:17
by bridgemad
I agree that intent is important in the loud/loudly discussion, as is the size of the sign. Think about it.
I am firm, however, that "busses" is the correct spelling. Buses rhymes with fuses.
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 10 Mar 2018, 15:46
by Helen_Combe
In my opinion, negatives always cause complications.
‘Please play music quietly’ is more concise and less problematic.
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 11 Mar 2018, 18:32
by KRay93
Grammatically, both are fine. Now, wouldn't "too loud" imply that you can play up to a certain level, while "loudly" would further narrow such range?
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 19 Mar 2018, 06:24
by Tbunde5
“Loudly” is correct because the antecedent is play. You would only use “loud” if the sentence said, “Please do not play loud music.”
Re: A trivial grammatical point ....
Posted: 19 Mar 2018, 06:30
by Tbunde5
The plural of bus is buses according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Although busses is an optional spelling, it is no longer used in modern English.