Estate Agents' Use of English

It's not our grammar which is at fault, Charleygirl - it is that of the estate agents whom we are quoting.

(Was that better? Probably not, it sounds very strange and stilted.)

Willow I think we bought that house!!

mabon1 you should have had the decency to tell me that I was sitting an English exam at A level grade rather than having an informal discussion.

My apologies if my grammar is not up to your high standards. My Scottish private school education is obviously sadly inadequate but you cannot fault me on spelling- the nuns would be pleased.

mabon1 (no capital letters used as this is how you have chosen to name yourself) I am confident that many of the people here on Gransnet have a relatively good level of English. I personally choose to write on this site in an informal manner. If I was writing an article for print, a business letter or other formal communication I would take my time to be more pedantic about my use of grammar, spelling and vocabulary. Not because I do not value the other users on this site, but simply because I see a forum as a means of communicating a conversation.
If I were sat with my feet up enjoying a coffee with a friend I would not be anxious about the use of correct vocabulary, so why should I fret over my written messages if I consider myself to be having an informal 'chat' albeit on a forum media.

On the subject in question... I bought a house described as open-plan which in reality equated to the fact the previous occupant had removed all the interior doors as he had punched holes in them and the staircase had no bannister and was like climbing Everest without a safety rope.

I'm told be my son that no-one says twice any more (gone the way of thrice I suppose). Also apparently no-one says fortnight any longer -creeping Americanisation?

Eg “ two times gold medalist” ... surely “twice gold medalist” ....
I think there are two ls in medallist

Maybe, in your opinion, the level of grammar is dreadful, mabon1, but I (and I’m sure every other poster on this thread), have not failed to understand the gist of what is being said. None of us are sitting an English language exam on this forum, just passing comments about estate agents and such like.

Fennel -

"Located in the ever-popular ......... area" - makes me shudder every time.

The phrase that puzzles me is "deceptively large" - does it mean it is large, or looks large and is small?

mabon1 Sun 15
The grammar of many people who post on this platform is dreadful !!! (sic)
As are the manners of others.

May I add that I personally deprecate the overuse of exclamation marks by some. Hardly best usage.

Maybe a bit off topic .... but whats this about TWO TIMES ????
Why have we stopped using TWICE???

Eg “ two times gold medalist” ... surely “twice gold medalist” ....
Is it because America does not “know” the word TWICE?

We viewed a house where lady continued making a curry and looking outside the drain was over flowing! Amazed as viewing time had been chosen by the owner. Dare not comment on bedrooms!!
A ‘ so called’ upmarket area as well

Mabon Could I politely suggest that when you deplore others’ grammar, you could be specific in your criticisms.
As one who was once described on another forum as ‘Queen of the Pedants’, I find it frustrating when you merely make a general, derogatory statement.
I’m interested in grammar and usage, but haven’t got time to trawl through all the posts, trying to identify exactly what it is that you’re complaining about.
Thanks!

In my life I've owned two houses only, and both were described by an excellent 'down -to-earth' estate agent exactly how they were ... one was an end terrace and the one I'm in one a three bed semi..... the only 'expansion' he made was in saying that this house was 'up for expansion to a four-bed' . He was spot on although we never did expand. Wish we had.... next door expanded and it's now a lovely family home....ah well!

We had an estate agent describe our house as chic, pronounced "chick"!

Well said Happy, Mabon 1must have nothing better to do and all day to do it in. She constantly comments on grammar , not the topic being discussed, how sad is she!

I'm so pleased never to have used one in my life. They certainly don't get a good press in general and yet I daresay many of them do their level best for both parties.

mabon1 May I politely suggest that you take an interest in the topic being discussed, rather than simply criticising other people's standards of English. This is supposed to be a pleasant place for everyone to converse and exchange views, not a test of ones language skills!

Mabon1, I have noticed you criticising people's grammar on several threads recently. Even if you are right, it's really rather rude and unnecessary!

The grammar of many people who post on this platform is dreadful!!!

I was thinking of starting a new post about experiences of house viewings and selling but Willow has beaten me to it.
I'm sure we all have a tale to tell. So here goes with mine.
Viewing a bog- standard semi every interior door was chewed and would need replacing, the " Easy maintainable garden" was a concrete dog pound
Just as we were leaving I noticed I noticed a damp patch by the front door, I mentioned this to the vendor, his reply.
"No damp, that just where the dog cocks his leg when he comes in from his walk everyday!".
Needless to say, despite being dog lovers, we didn't pursue the sale.

We've just been to view a property today - pictures were very good - it looked in need of a little renovating but with a description of 'ready to move into'. We arrived to find it in a state of complete disarray with the previous occupants clothes and photos scattered all over the bedroom and living room, the 'en-suite' bathroom still had the disabled toilet seat attached complete with stains and both bathrooms and kitchen totally unusable. The occupant had sadly passed away but whoever is selling the property really should have cleared it out before putting it up for sale. Very sad and unsettling and definitely not ready to move into!

'Ripe for Renovation'

That's ours.

Situated in the sought after Acacia Avenue.
varian if only you knew how I longed to live in the tree-lined Acacia Avenue!
Sadly, we could never afford it.

lemongrove - close to the sought-after P**** Primary School means that the parents come and block your drive at 8.45 am and 3.15 pm every day!

"Period fittings" in our case when we first bought our first house was 10" skirting boards throughout all fitted together from odd planks of wood then glued to fit,it took us months to replace and redecorate.