A trivial grammatical point ....

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Lincolnshirelass
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A trivial grammatical point ....

Post by Lincolnshirelass »

In the busses in our area there is a sign that requests 'Please do not play music too loud.' Now at first I thought that was wrong as it should be LOUDLY, eg, adverb relating to verb 'to play', but then realised that there was also an argument for the sign as it was, with LOUD as an adjective relating to the noun 'music'. Would you say both were acceptable?
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Post by SPasciuti »

I would argue for loudly on the basis that it just sounds better? But grammatically, I think they're both correct?
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Post by Conorergosum »

I think in this case, I would go for ‘loudly’. If the adjective argument was to be made, it could just be rephrased as ‘please do not play loud music’. Although I do think both are grammatically correct.

An aside: shouldn’t it be buses and not busses? I would imagine the latter to be used in the context of say, ‘bussing a table’ or something on those lines... I hope I’m right.
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Post by Lincolnshirelass »

Thanks, both, for your advice. I didn't get the red underline for 'busses', so presumed it was okay - maybe both are!
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Post by ReyvrexQuestor Reyes »

I get the idea that this sign is where people are allowed to "buss" or "kiss" and hence loud music may not be needed, after all. I think both instances (including the one you cited) would just be fine. If this is a matter for the review, then the editors will have to decide.
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Post by Alice Heritage »

Lincolnshirelass wrote: 11 Jan 2018, 05:02 In the busses in our area there is a sign that requests 'Please do not play music too loud.' Now at first I thought that was wrong as it should be LOUDLY, eg, adverb relating to verb 'to play', but then realised that there was also an argument for the sign as it was, with LOUD as an adjective relating to the noun 'music'. Would you say both were acceptable?
Hi LL. I know what you mean but then I started thinking about phrases like "out loud". I looked it up and found out that 'loud' is also the adverb: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/loud

Talking of notices, I'm now remembering when Sainsburys changed their express till signs to "8 items or fewer" :D .
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Post by Alice Heritage »

Conorergosum wrote: 15 Jan 2018, 23:21 I think in this case, I would go for ‘loudly’. If the adjective argument was to be made, it could just be rephrased as ‘please do not play loud music’. Although I do think both are grammatically correct.

An aside: shouldn’t it be buses and not busses? I would imagine the latter to be used in the context of say, ‘bussing a table’ or something on those lines... I hope I’m right.
Hi Conor. According to Oxford, both spellings are correct: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/bus
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Post by Mr Benji »

I think 'too loud' is alright just as you can also say' please donot talk too slow or do not shout too loud'.
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Post by bridgemad »

I agree that intent is important in the loud/loudly discussion, as is the size of the sign. Think about it.
I am firm, however, that "busses" is the correct spelling. Buses rhymes with fuses.
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Post by Helen_Combe »

In my opinion, negatives always cause complications.
‘Please play music quietly’ is more concise and less problematic.
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Post by KRay93 »

Grammatically, both are fine. Now, wouldn't "too loud" imply that you can play up to a certain level, while "loudly" would further narrow such range?
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Post by Tbunde5 »

“Loudly” is correct because the antecedent is play. You would only use “loud” if the sentence said, “Please do not play loud music.”
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Post by Tbunde5 »

The plural of bus is buses according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Although busses is an optional spelling, it is no longer used in modern English.
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