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Pedants' corner

The Guardian

(27 Posts)
Brahumbug Sun 08-Nov-20 02:32:59

Apparently, Donald Trump has refused to 'concede defeat'. What an appalling abuse of the English language. Still, it is the Guardian!

Isthepopecatholic Sat 13-Feb-21 22:48:22

Yes, nothing wrong with the Guardian.

Witzend Wed 25-Nov-20 13:28:52

Not that point, I know, but I can’t see him ever admitting defeat, even if he’s eventually forced to concede it.
Fine shades of meaning, and all that...

lemongrove Mon 09-Nov-20 21:25:49

Brahumbug is right, and I’ve noticed that some papers and online media sites are now not saying that, so maybe it’s been pointed out?
You can accept defeat, but not concede defeat.

Brahumbug Mon 09-Nov-20 21:22:43

To concede defeat is not perfectly acceptable. Concede means to relinquish or give away, you cannot give away a defeat, only a victory. I am not technically correct, I am absolutely correct.

It didn't misfire at all, the Guardian remains a poor excuse for a newspaper, it's only redeeming feature being it is at least left of centre.

Lucca Sun 08-Nov-20 17:21:14

How come then that concede defeat is given as an example in the Oxford learners dictionary ??
Appalling abuse of the English language ?? Are you, as they say, having a laugh ?

DanniRae Sun 08-Nov-20 13:54:03

confused

GillT57 Sun 08-Nov-20 12:56:26

Oh, I didn't spot the mistake, if there is one?

grandtanteJE65 Sun 08-Nov-20 12:53:16

How would you choose to acknowledge defeat?

To concede defeat is perfectly acceptable.

eazybee Sun 08-Nov-20 11:48:36

I agree with the original poster; the phrase: ' Trump refused to concede defeat' jars, but technically it is not incorrect. The accepted usage is 'admit defeat, concede victory' but the meaning is virtually the same.
It is academic anyway because I don't believe Trump will ever admit or concede defeat.

FannyCornforth Sun 08-Nov-20 09:36:33

lemongrove

It should just be ‘concedes’ really.

Right. I get it now, thank you.
Is it tautological? (Is that correct?)

I still don't think that it warrants
"appalling abuse of the English language"!

Kate54 Sun 08-Nov-20 09:32:20

I just wish DT would concede gracefully if not grammatically!

Iam64 Sun 08-Nov-20 09:32:00

Well, I remain a Grauniad reader.

lemongrove Sun 08-Nov-20 09:28:23

Or concedes the election.

lemongrove Sun 08-Nov-20 09:27:55

It should just be ‘concedes’ really.

lemongrove Sun 08-Nov-20 09:26:48

Well, this is in pedants corner, so the OP is correct.
However if in popular usage then it becomes accepted speech.

FannyCornforth Sun 08-Nov-20 09:22:36

I read the op early doors, before Maw's comment.
I thought that I was being dim, because I couldn't see the problem either.
Just goes to show - you have to be very careful if you want to look superior.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 08-Nov-20 08:45:49

There is such a thing as general usage and that is what is used in the USA.

Everyone knows what it means.

Sniffiness just make you look just that - sniffy.

Davida1968 Sun 08-Nov-20 08:41:07

Well pointed out, Maw!

suziewoozie Sun 08-Nov-20 08:39:34

Just an excuse to knock the Guardian - well that misfired didn’t it?

Lucca Sun 08-Nov-20 08:36:02

From Oxford learners dictionary. Seems fine to me!

​ [intransitive, transitive] concede (defeat) to admit that you have lost a game, an election, etc.
After losing this decisive battle, the general was forced to concede.
Injury forced Hicks to concede defeat.

Kate54 Sun 08-Nov-20 08:29:17

So it should be ‘admit defeat’ and...’concede victory’???

Esspee Sun 08-Nov-20 07:50:29

I don't think there is anything wrong with conceding defeat.
Especially when applied to Trump.?

Whitewavemark2 Sun 08-Nov-20 07:48:55

His unwillingness to concede may have something to do with his financial affairs.

The NY Times is reporting that Trump is facing at least 12 federal and state investigations, and has to repay loans of $300million in the next few years. He also owes another $100million.
His tax affairs are also under investigation.

kittylester Sun 08-Nov-20 07:45:43

Glad you said that Maw!!

MawB2 Sun 08-Nov-20 07:44:03

I seem to be missing your point confused
concede - definition
If you concede something, you admit that it is true, proper, or certain — usually in an unwilling way and often in the context of a competition, as in "At midnight, the candidate finally conceded defeat ."