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To Be, or not To Be  
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 11-30-2007, 09:27 PM
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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
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Old 11-30-2007, 09:47 PM
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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.
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Old 12-02-2007, 10:50 AM
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I find the idea behind this thread very interesting and will gladly participate. Can anyone think of a subject of conversation?
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Old 12-02-2007, 12:04 PM
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I'm sorry, this concept is beyond me.
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Old 12-02-2007, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Vicsun View Post
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


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testingtest12Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

testingtest12.......All those moments ... will be lost ... in time ... like tears in rain.
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Old 12-02-2007, 01:19 PM
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prize for the best and longest paragraph: a cookie hand-crafted by BS


And just why did you say hand-crafted? Do you fear he'll use something else to craft the cookie?
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Old 12-02-2007, 01:49 PM
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My craftsmanship is beyond your understanding. Just enjoy the cookie should it arrive
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Old 12-02-2007, 03:27 PM
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ONLY RETARDED PEOPLE WRITE WITH CAPS ON. Good thing I press shift
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Old 12-02-2007, 07:05 PM
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Enjoy or fear the cookie should it arrive?
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  #10 (permalink)  
Old 12-03-2007, 12:56 AM
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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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