Editing Talk:1108: Cautionary Ghost

The comic seems to suggest that it is obviously a waste of effort if the world remains the same regardless of the argument. But maybe the argues goal is not to correct grammar as much as it is to be entertained by the deficiencies in others and the arguments that may arise. Feeling superior through trolling regular conversations. [[User:DruidDriver|DruidDriver]] ([[User talk:DruidDriver|talk]]) 07:23, 21 January 2013 (UTC)

;Literally
Could it have been spurred by [http://www.explosm.net/comics/2923/ this comic]?

:It shares quibbles over the word literally, but the driving idea behind the jokes are different. [[User:Davidy22|Davidy22]] ([[User talk:Davidy22|talk]]) 06:08, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

:Exasperation over the misuse/overuse of "literally" is quite widespread, especially among the target audience of xkcd. I doubt the choice was inspired by a particular source.

I think it is a reference to this prior [http://xkcd.com/725/ xkcd comic] which is also dealing with the difference between literally and figuratively and somebody eager to tell people the difference.
--[[Special:Contributions/194.167.19.2|194.167.19.2]] 08:06, 14 September 2012 (UTC)Josch

:I think there is a huge difference between devoting years of time & energy waiting to 'gotcha' someone and encouraging people to use a word correctly.  Because so many people use the word "literally" for emphasis even when their usage is figurative, how can I tell someone that my usage of something is in fact literal? [[User:JaniceOly|JaniceOly]] ([[User talk:JaniceOly|talk]]) 03:24, 15 September 2012 (UTC)

Having the ''Literally'' as the word to argue about seems to be fitting this comic quite well, since the world is literally the same in both scenarios. Or, the other way around, arguing about ''literally'' literally doesn't matter.

If people are getting so upset over literally, why ''aren't'' they getting upset over "really", which ''literally'' means the same thing? This is why I don't care for the debate (but, geek that I am, I still find myself correcting it. *sigh*.) Anonymous 05:02, 6 December 2013 (UTC)

;Idyllic
What's so idyllic on that scene? That people are still alive and someone is still flying? (Note that it may be airforce one) -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 09:09, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

;Charles Dickens
''The usage of a ghost from the past or future to deliver a message in fiction was begun in Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol'' - I really don't think that's true. --[[User:Kronf|Kronf]] ([[User talk:Kronf|talk]]) 12:55, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

;Subjunctive
I have to say, not using the subjunctive case correctly really grinds my gears, 'as it were'. --[[Special:Contributions/216.110.25.2|216.110.25.2]] 13:53, 14 September 2012 (UTC)dangerkeith3000

Fixed the typo someone made on the title text ghost: Ghost of <del>Subjective</del> Subjunctive Past. I also typed up some information on the subjunctive mood and the subjunctive past construction. Hopefully this helps clear up the title text. [[User:Haruspex|Haruspex]] ([[User talk:Haruspex|talk]]) 13:54, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

I'm not sure it's correct to describe the fight in favor of ''if it were'' as "equally trivial". Isn't the entire point of the title text that that fight '''is''' worth continuing? --[[User:Cristo|Cristo]] ([[User talk:Cristo|talk]]) 15:56, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

@Haruspex: Thanks for clearing up that issue of subjective/subjunctive -- I was just about to go in and fix it myself. --[[User:Pdaoust|Pdaoust]] ([[User talk:Pdaoust|talk]]) 16:11, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

Subjunctive is a MOOD, not a CASE or a TENSE.  And ask Shakespeare about using ghosts to deliver messages.

;Third panel
Hmm shouldn't the third panel read "... if you '''gave''' up the fight ... "? --[[Special:Contributions/220.255.1.119|220.255.1.119]] 07:12, 19 September 2012 (UTC)

:Nope. ''This <u>is</u> the future.'' --[[User:Kronf|Kronf]] ([[User talk:Kronf|talk]]) 11:20, 14 November 2012 (UTC)

::Agree, "give" is correct here. The guy has not yet given up the fight; "give" is in {{w|imperative mood}}. --[[User:Smartin|Smartin]] ([[User talk:Smartin|talk]]) 04:47, 2 January 2013 (UTC)

:::I don't think "give" is quite in the imperative mood here (since the ghost is describing a hypothetical future instead of directly asking the man to give up the fight), but either way shouldn't both "give" and "gave" work in this case? ({{w|English_conditional_sentences#Second_conditional}}) --[[Special:Contributions/202.156.9.12|202.156.9.12]] 13:41, 31 May 2013 (UTC)

I've given up on literally and settle for enjoying the misuse: the hall was literally swept by a sea of supporters, the crew literally hung on the lips on their captain, etc. However! I will fight forever for correct usage of its and it's... at least until we all go whole hog, and start using hi's and her's [or would the feminine be he'r?]. [[User:Canuu|Canuu]] ([[User talk:Canuu|talk]]) 20:09, 10 September 2015 (UTC)