Amazing Brain Teaser: Read Mixed Up Words

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the grammatical correctness of a scrambled sentence attributed to research about reading mixed-up words. Participants explore the implications of the sentence structure and the use of verbs in different contexts, particularly focusing on the phrase regarding the placement of letters.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants share a scrambled sentence claiming that the order of letters in a word does not matter as long as the first and last letters are in the correct place.
  • The Bob questions the grammatical correctness of the original sentence, suggesting it should use "are" instead of "be" for plural agreement.
  • Other participants argue that the original sentence is grammatically correct, citing that "to be" can be used in various forms depending on context.
  • Some participants discuss the subtleties of grammatical voice and plurality, with references to examples of acceptable English usage.
  • There is a mention of elliptic forms of sentences and how they can be accepted in English, despite sounding unusual to some speakers.
  • One participant expresses discomfort with the original phrasing, suggesting that it feels incorrect due to the plural nature of the subject.
  • Another participant confirms that while the original sentence is grammatically correct, it is not commonly used in everyday English.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the grammatical correctness of the original sentence. Some argue for its correctness, while others maintain it should be phrased differently. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nuances of English grammar and usage.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various grammatical structures, including the subjunctive mood and passive voice, which may contribute to the complexity of the discussion. There is also mention of regional variations in English usage.

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Not really a brain teaser but this is totally amazing. I guess most people can read this whole thing as easily if it were written properly.

Taken from http://www.eyetricks.com/wordjumble.htm


"Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in what oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe."

Total mind blow. LoL

EDIT:

I found a script that let's you scramble text in the described method. http://www.lerfjhax.com/70.0.html I found that the more uncommon the word, or the more repeating letters it has in it, the more difficult it is to 'read'

Anyway, have fun.
 
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"Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in what oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe."

That is quality but is he sentence 'the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae' grammatically correct. Should it not be 'olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae'.?

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
The Bob, waht is yuor pnoit?
 
No, the Bob, that sentence is grammatically correct.
 
Gokul43201 said:
No, the Bob, that sentence is grammatically correct.

Just doesn't sound right. It is plural so needs an 'are' not an 'is'. Never mind. Just my mind again. :smile:

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
The Bob is right. That sentence isn't gramatically correct. It should be "the first and last letterS are in the right place".
 
The place that you put in an 'are' there was a 'be' in the original sentence, not an 'is'. The root verb 'to be' need not always be expressed as 'is', 'am' or 'are' depending on the plurality or person.

For example, the sentence : "It is important that I/you/they be happy." is perfectly acceptable.
 
Gokul43201 said:
The place that you put in an 'are' there was a 'be' in the original sentence, not an 'is'. The root verb 'to be' need not always be expressed as 'is', 'am' or 'are' depending on the plurality or person.

For example, the sentence : "It is important that I/you/they be happy." is perfectly acceptable.

Yes but: 'It is important that I is happy.'
'It is important that you is happy.'
'It is important that they is happy.' are also acceptable in parts of England.

As a side note: can I ask, also, why you are agruing with a Brit? I do speak the language (no hard feelings mind Gokul. You helped me when I started the forums :biggrin: ). Sorry. I don't want to sound mean.

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
The Bob, my intention was not to provoke an argument. If that's what I did, I'm sorry.

That said...

Parth Dave : I too noticed the missing plural at the end of "the first and last letter". However, I have come across this usage in several places, and believe it is an elliptic form of "the first (letter) and last letter", which would make it an accepted form of writing, just as "Thank you." is good English, even though this sentence has no subject.
 
  • #10
Gokul43201 said:
The place that you put in an 'are' there was a 'be' in the original sentence, not an 'is'. The root verb 'to be' need not always be expressed as 'is', 'am' or 'are' depending on the plurality or person.

For example, the sentence : "It is important that I/you/they be happy." is perfectly acceptable.

This isn't an issue of plurality, but of voice -I think the predicate phrase is in the passive voice.
Compare "It is important that our needs are satisfied." and "It is important that our needs be satisfied."
One is a situation where the needs are satisfying themselves, while the other is a situation where someone else is satisfying them.
 
  • #11
Hmmm...there does seem to be a subtle difference. But to me it seems like the latter brings to your attention, that which is satisfying them, while the former ignores that aspect.

However, I feel uneasy about using 'are' in the place of 'be' in the original statement, because to me, that removes reference (albeit extremely indirect) to the person that puts in the first and last letters.
 
  • #12
Gokul43201 said:
The Bob, my intention was not to provoke an argument. If that's what I did, I'm sorry.

That said...

Parth Dave : I too noticed the missing plural at the end of "the first and last letter". However, I have come across this usage in several places, and believe it is an elliptic form of "the first (letter) and last letter", which would make it an accepted form of writing, just as "Thank you." is good English, even though this sentence has no subject.

I know it was not to provoke. I am assuming too much. Must stop it. Sorry.

It just doesn't seem right to me that the enlish language would allow this 'the first (letter) and last letter'. But even so I feel as there are two objects (the letters) then it still would be 'are'. I must admit that 'to be' is irregular, not to mention being used in modal verbs. 'Thank you' is more of a developed phrase.

I think the sentence should either be 'the first and last letters are' or the first letter and the last letter are'. As there are more than one object you use the plural verb ending. I can only assume that the writers didn't add the 's' or forgot the 'are'. Either way it is not done English (whether or not in America it is exceptable is another question). I will ask my Dad (he used to be a language teacher) and see what he says. Nothing my luck I will be wrong again .LOL

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
  • #13
Dad is the way to go !
 
  • #14
Gokul43201 said:
Dad is the way to go !

LOL. Indeed he is. I could not have got through german without him.

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
  • #15
Gokul43201 said:
"It is important that I/you/they be happy."

Well it appears that you were correct. I have checked with my dad and he says that it is correct but (and I stress) Not common at all to hear it phrased that way.

Your quote above is correct gramatically (which I agreed with) but it is not the same type of sentence. The original sentence uses the present tense but your sentence (quoted above) uses the (and my dad is not sure but) subjunctive of the verb. Therefore it is no longer an example of the persent tense, which is what the original sentence is. You cannot mix the two together in examples.

However your original point that is it gramatically correct is right. It is just not correct to an English man (like myself) as it isn't how we use the verb.

Never mind. This clears it all up. You win Gokul. :biggrin:

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
  • #16
Ain't no winning allowed here.
 
  • #17
Gokul43201 said:
Ain't no winning allowed here.

Ok. Sor[/size]ry[/size]:redface:

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
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