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To Be, or not To Be

Anything goes... just keep it clean.
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dragon wench
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To Be, or not To Be

Post by dragon wench »

Spoiler
I'm sure, at some point I must have come across the phenomenon of "English Prime." But, for some reason it just didn't stick on my radar screen. The other day, I was reintroduced to the concept.
Essentially, the idea is that one writes entirely without conjugating the verb "to be."
Now, this is, of course, quite possible, not to mention very useful in eliminating the use of the passive voice. But, I have to say, I'd find it very difficult to write without using "To Be" in any form.

Has anybody ever tried to do this?

Here are some explanatory links:
E-Prime Tutorial
English Teaching Forum Online – Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
E-Prime - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia




Sorry about the spoiler tags, I just had to :D
Spoiler
testingtest12
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Spoiler
testingtest12
.......All those moments ... will be lost ... in time ... like tears in rain.
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Siberys
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Post by Siberys »

Heh, so essentially "To Be or Not To Be" becomes "I am what I choose to...am."

To not be able to use the word "Be" would get rather difficult actually.
Listen up maggots, Mr. Popo's 'bout to teach you the pecking order.
It goes you, the dirt, the worms inside of the dirt, Popo's stool, Kami, then Popo.
~Mr. Popo, Dragonball Z Abridged
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Vicsun
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Post by Vicsun »

I find the idea behind this thread very interesting and will gladly participate. Can anyone think of a subject of conversation?
Vicsun, I certainly agree with your assertion that you are an unpleasant person. ~Chanak

:(
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Bloodstalker
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Post by Bloodstalker »

I'm sorry, this concept is beyond me. :o
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dragon wench
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Post by dragon wench »

Vicsun wrote:I find the idea behind this thread very interesting and will gladly participate. Can anyone think of a subject of conversation?
How about:
Endeavouring to write paragraphs (no less than 50 words) without resorting to a conjugation of the verb "to be."

prize for the best and longest paragraph: a cookie hand-crafted by BS


:p
Spoiler
testingtest12
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Spoiler
testingtest12
.......All those moments ... will be lost ... in time ... like tears in rain.
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Fiberfar
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Post by Fiberfar »

dragon wench wrote:
prize for the best and longest paragraph: a cookie hand-crafted by BS


:p
And just why did you say hand-crafted? Do you fear he'll use something else to craft the cookie? :D :p
[QUOTE=Luis Antonio]ONLY RETARDED PEOPLE WRITE WITH CAPS ON. Good thing I press shift :D [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Luis Antonio]Bah! Bunch of lamers! Ye need the lesson of the true powergamer: Play mages, name them Koffi Annan, and only use non-intervention spells! Buwahahahahah![/QUOTE]
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Bloodstalker
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Post by Bloodstalker »

My craftsmanship is beyond your understanding. Just enjoy the cookie should it arrive :D
Lord of Lurkers

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Fiberfar
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Post by Fiberfar »

I wouldn't even want to understand your craftmanship! :p
[QUOTE=Luis Antonio]ONLY RETARDED PEOPLE WRITE WITH CAPS ON. Good thing I press shift :D [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Luis Antonio]Bah! Bunch of lamers! Ye need the lesson of the true powergamer: Play mages, name them Koffi Annan, and only use non-intervention spells! Buwahahahahah![/QUOTE]
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Loki[D.d.G]
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Post by Loki[D.d.G] »

Bloodstalker wrote:Just enjoy the cookie should it arrive :D
Enjoy or fear the cookie should it arrive?
Love is just a chemical. We give it meaning by choice ~ Eleanor Lamb, Bioshock 2: Sea of Dreams
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Faberge
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Post by Faberge »

Siberys wrote:Heh, so essentially "To Be or Not To Be" becomes "I am what I choose to...am."
Or "I will choose what I shall become, though, I must reckon for standing in middle of two extremes, unable to make up my mind."
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