TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Get Help With English Here

Go To

This thread is for tropers who have trouble with English and would like some help with the crazy grammar of this crazy language.

Write down what you wish to edit on the wiki. If you have been suspended from editing, another troper might be kind enough to edit for you after your suggestions have been corrected.

The thread is for help and feedback on your own suggested edits.

If you want help correcting other people's edits (e.g., if you find a page which seems to have grammar problems but want a second opinion, or you don't feel able to fix it by yourself) then that's off-topic here, but we have a separate Grammar Police cleanup thread that can provide assistance.

Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 16th 2023 at 5:37:57 PM

Minorica Rhythm Heroine from Earth Since: Dec, 2019 Relationship Status: It's so nice to be turned on again
Rhythm Heroine
#21851: Jan 2nd 2023 at 8:08:57 AM

For Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane Video Games:note 

  • Detective Conan And Kindaichi Case Files Chance Meeting Of Two Great Detectivesnote : At the end of Hajime's route, in the seventh (final) chapter "The Two Great Detectives", Hajime and Miyuki feel sorry for Misa Tobanote , who was murdered shortly before her first appearance in the first chapter "The Tragedy 25 Years Ago, Reenacted". Then a mysterious voice which appears to be coming from Yuuyamijima Island (originally Higurejima Island before the tragedy), which only Hajime can hear, makes itself known. Considering both the crossover game and the mangas Hajime and Conan originated from don't have supernatural elements, it's never confirmed whether that mysterious voice is actually from the ghost of Misa or it's just Hajime's imagination, although it's vaguely hinted that it's the former.
    Hajime: I'm sorry, Misa... for being so unreliable.
    (the screen turns white)
    ???: Thank you, Kindaichi-kun...
    Hajime: Huh...?
    Miyuki: What's wrong, Hajime-chan?
    Hajime: (speaking in his mind) The voice just now... it sounded like it was coming from the island...
    Miyuki: Hajime-chan?
    Hajime: No, it's nothing. It's just my imagination, maybe...

Edited by Minorica on Feb 16th 2023 at 4:16:00 PM

"No matter how bad the heroes can get or how bad the situation is, we're sure we can overcome it and get our happy endings..."
FateStayWho Since: Jul, 2016
#21852: Jan 2nd 2023 at 8:32:32 AM

I think my last post was missed so I am posting it again.

Warhammer Idol Month

Instant Expert: Due to the Orks’ beliefs bending reality, ??????? being dressed up as an idol is all it takes for her to become a talented singer.

Sonic Frontiers

  • Even Evil Has Standards: Eggman initially shoots down Sage's suggestion of working with Sonic out of sheer pettiness. When The End is free, the doctor relents and does work with the hedgehog. Even if Eggman doesn't like him, stopping the end of the world takes priority over any grudges he has with Sonic.

jOSEFdelaville Since: Dec, 2018
#21853: Jan 2nd 2023 at 8:51:26 AM

Papa Louis Games

  • Anthropomorphic Food: Every enemies in the platformer games are living foods. When Sundaes Attack also has sentient icecream cones as friendly NPCs.

Warcraft: YMMV

  • Good Bad Bug: In the final human mission of Warcraft II's expansion, Dentarg and Kargath Bladefist are supposed to be among the enemy ranks. However, they do not appear on the map due to a coding quirk, meaning that the player has two less enemy hero units to worry about.

My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic

  • Inconsistent Dub:
    • In the French dub:
      • Ponyville keeps alternating between keeping its original name, or being literally translated to Poneyville. Sometime, the name alternate in the same episode.
      • The Elements of Harmony are either called "Éléments d'Harmonie", which is a literal translation, or "Éléments d'Équilibre", which means "Elements of Balance". Sometime, the name alternate in the same episode.
      • The Everfree Forest was originally changed to "la Forêt Désenchantée" (the Un-enchanted Forest), but starting from the middle of the season 2, they decided to keep the original "Everfree" name.
      • Owlowiscious is meant to keep his original name, but in "May the Best Pet Win!", he's called "Chouette délicieuse", meaning "Delicious owl". Doubles as a "Blind Idiot" Translation because Owlowiscious's name is meant to be a mix between "owl" and "Aloysius", not "owl" and "delicious".
      • The Wonderbolts go untranslated in all but one episode. In "The Ticket Master" they're called "Les Flèches de l'Air" (lit. "The Arrows of the Air/Air's Arrows").

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21854: Jan 2nd 2023 at 9:33:55 AM

Page 874 @gamerzillasaurusrex2000

Walter and Danny Group Hug Lisa upon seeing her freed from cryo-sleep, <- comma all...

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21855: Jan 2nd 2023 at 9:37:56 AM

Page 874 @Tylerbear 12

...Mickey Mouse send Goofy to break off Michael Eisner's legs ...CEO <- no comma Michael Eisner <- no comma is...

^ Mickey Mouse is a character, not a work, so their name is not in italics.

^ Did Mickey Mouse send Goofy to break off Michael Eisner's legs or just to break them? There's a difference.

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21856: Jan 2nd 2023 at 9:42:35 AM

Page 874 @Fate Stay Who

...being dressed up as an idol singer is all it takes for her to become a talented singer.

^ You assumed that the reader will automatically realize that you're talking about a Japanese style idol singer instead of just a regular idol (e.g. that of a deity).

Out of sheer pettiness, Eggman initially shoots down Sage's suggestion of working with Sonic.

^ The way you originally wrote this, you were saying that the suggestion of working with Sonic was made out of out of sheer pettiness. That's because in English, when you make one statement after another statement, the later statement applies to the statement immediately preceding it.

Edited by Arivne on Jan 2nd 2023 at 9:45:35 AM

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21857: Jan 2nd 2023 at 9:47:09 AM

Page 874 @Bullman

I don't see anything incorrect in the English in that example.

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21858: Jan 2nd 2023 at 9:53:59 AM

Page 874 @jahman

...have been shown...skills grow, but Misty’s tendencies increase because...

...went. <- period They then gradually changed themselves as they became...in gym battles or contests.

...and her not...her, <- comma as...sometimes he argues back with...

Ash and Lillie are a lot alike when it comes to helping Pokémon in need, <- comma as...

...Sakuya, <- comma and...her does Aine manage to...

Edited by Arivne on Jan 2nd 2023 at 9:56:02 AM

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21859: Jan 2nd 2023 at 9:59:50 AM

Page 874 @TPPR 10

One of the things...by the modern civilization. Tezcatlipoca possesses the body...

^ When you're discussing two or more people of the same gender, please be careful when replacing one of their names with a gendered pronoun. The reader may not be able to tell which one you're referring to.

Bullman Enid Sinclair Since: Jun, 2018 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
FateStayWho Since: Jul, 2016
#21861: Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:24:53 AM

@Tropers/Arivne

Thanks.

     General 

  • Adaptational Badass: These villains are much more effective than in most depictions, actually winning their share of fights with their good counterparts.

     Prince Keldor - Skeletor 

  • 0% Approval Rating:
    • As he makes it clear that he intends to keep all the spoils of victory for himself, the other Dark Masters plot to overthrow him by tricking him into sharing his Havoc. Their rebellion is quickly squashed because Skeletor made sure he would be able to use Havoc to control them after sharing it. By Season 2, Kronis and R'Qazz have enough of being controlled by Skeletor and allow He-Man to destroy the Havoc Staff, even if it means losing their Havoc, just so they will no longer be controlled.
    • While Skeletor rules Eternos, the whole population can't stand him and only put up with him because he's mind controlled the army.
  • I Lied: Sends his minions out to get Kirbinite, saying it needs to be added to their weapons so he can share Havoc with them. Once they betray him he enslaves their minds, revealing the real reason for the Kirbinite was so he could use Havoc to control the other Dark Masters.
  • Laughably Evil: As Skeletor, he is proud to be a villain. Between that, his hamminess and eccentricities, it's impossible not to get a laugh out of his antics.

    Serpos 

  • Implacable Man: As the Serpos revive over and over again if their bodies are destroyed, it's impossible to win a real victory against them. [[spoiler: Unless the Sigil of Hiss is destroyed.
  • Zerg Rush: The Serpos come in waves, and even if their numbers are thinned, they will just revive almost instantly.

Warhammer Idol Month

Instant Expert: Due to the Orks’ beliefs bending reality, ??????? being dressed up as an idol singer is all it takes for her to become a talented singer.

Sonic Frontiers

  • Even Evil Has Standards: Out of sheer pettiness, Eggman initially shoots down Sage's suggestion Sage's suggestion of working with Sonic. When The End is free, the doctor relents and does work with the hedgehog. Even if Eggman doesn't like him, stopping the end of the world takes priority over any grudges he has with Sonic.

Edited by FateStayWho on Jan 2nd 2023 at 11:03:11 AM

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21862: Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:25:21 AM

Page 874 @Melinda

In the novel Portal Through Time, <- comma he...

...tries to warn the Master not to enter the cavern which an earthquake...

...and about the...which help thwart...

He hasn't taken off his lucky combat boots in fifteen years, and consequently his feet always smell awful.

^ If he hasn't taken off his boots in fifteen years, how can anyone know how his feet smell?

[[folder:Gorga]]

^ You need a [[/folder]] at the end of one of the folders to make it display properly.

...he is bloated from drinking from lots of soldiers...

^ If he drank the soldiers, he would be drinking their entire bodies, not just their blood.

...to the Reign of Terror, but...to succeeding and...

...to a Mêlée à Trois fights on battlefields between Romans and Druids...

^ Did you mean to write:

  • ...to a Mêlée à Trois fight on a battlefield between Romans and Druids...
  • ...to a Mêlée à Trois fights on battlefields between Romans and Druids...

...various Did You Just Flip Off Cthulhu?...

...are flocking to the abandoned battlefield.

Her mother has been dead for some time and her father is fighting in The American Civil War.

...and jewelry when she isn't riding across the countryside <- no comma fighting vampires.

She is introduced wearing a white dress...

Edited by Arivne on Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:27:03 AM

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21863: Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:30:31 AM

Page 874 @Spiro Spiro

The film is also unlikely to be released in South Korea due to similar controversy over there.

^ Since this is about something that hasn't happened yet, it is forbidden under the Speculative Troping policy.

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21864: Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:34:07 AM

[up] @Minorica

Then a mysterious voice from Yuuyamijima Island appears (which only Hajime can hear) makes itself known....

^ How does a voice "appear"?

jahman Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Dancing with myself
#21865: Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:40:14 AM

Tohru Honda

  • Living Emotional Crutch: With her incredibly kind and patient nature, she becomes Kyo's rock by the end of the series. She offers him nothing but love, comfort, and compassion for his troubles. She is even willing to do everything in her power to save him from his life sentence to the Cat's Room.

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21866: Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:53:52 AM

[up] @Fate Stay Who wrote:

"I think my last post was missed so I am posting it again."

You originally posted this.

I corrected it here.

You missed my correction and posted it again here, along with the Warhammer example.

When I saw the examples that I had already corrected, I ignored the entire post.

You then re-posted the Warhammmer example with a Sonic Frontiers example here.

You then posted the Warhammmer and Sonic Frontiers examples again, saying it had been missed, here, even though I hadn't made any posts between them.

I corrected the Warhammmer and Sonic Frontiers examples here.

You then re-posted them again here.

In the future, if you think one of your posts has been missed, could you please search for my correction using your screen name? I always put the name of the troper I'm responding to in my posts so they can be easily found.

Edited by Arivne on Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:56:08 AM

Arivne Since: Jan, 2001
#21867: Jan 2nd 2023 at 10:58:39 AM

[up] @jahman

I don't see any English errors in that example.

FateStayWho Since: Jul, 2016
#21868: Jan 2nd 2023 at 11:08:05 AM

@Tropers/Arivne

Understood. I fixed the error you pointed out that I missed.

     General 

  • Adaptational Badass: These villains are much more effective than in most depictions, actually winning their share of fights with their good counterparts.

     Prince Keldor - Skeletor 

  • 0% Approval Rating:
    • As he makes it clear that he intends to keep all the spoils of victory for himself, the other Dark Masters plot to overthrow him by tricking him into sharing his Havoc. Their rebellion is quickly squashed because Skeletor made sure he would be able to use Havoc to control them after sharing it. By Season 2, Kronis and R'Qazz have enough of being controlled by Skeletor and allow He-Man to destroy the Havoc Staff, even if it means losing their Havoc, just so they will no longer be controlled.
    • While Skeletor rules Eternos, the whole population can't stand him and only put up with him because he's mind controlled the army.
  • I Lied: Sends his minions out to get Kirbinite, saying it needs to be added to their weapons so he can share Havoc with them. Once they betray him he enslaves their minds, revealing the real reason for the Kirbinite was so he could use Havoc to control the other Dark Masters.
  • Laughably Evil: As Skeletor, he is proud to be a villain. Between that, his hamminess and eccentricities, it's impossible not to get a laugh out of his antics.

    Serpos 

  • Implacable Man: As the Serpos revive over and over again if their bodies are destroyed, it's impossible to win a real victory against them. [[spoiler: Unless the Sigil of Hiss is destroyed.
  • Zerg Rush: The Serpos come in waves, and even if their numbers are thinned, they will just revive almost instantly.

Warhammer Idol Month

Instant Expert: Due to the Orks’ beliefs bending reality, ??????? being dressed up as an idol singer is all it takes for her to become a talented singer.

Sonic Frontiers

  • Even Evil Has Standards: Out of sheer pettiness, Eggman initially shoots down Sage's suggestion Sage's suggestion of working with Sonic. When The End is free, the doctor relents and does work with the hedgehog. Even if Eggman doesn't like him, stopping the end of the world takes priority over any grudges he has with Sonic.

Edited by FateStayWho on Jan 3rd 2023 at 4:43:07 AM

gamerzillasaurusrex2000 Since: Sep, 2022 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#21869: Jan 2nd 2023 at 1:44:49 PM

For future examples of tropes that can be considered Truth in Television:

  • Bat Scare: When walking into dark areas, people can easily disturb sleeping bats that'll immediately fly about and frighten them, even when the people don't initially mistake the bats for giant monsters.
  • Jump Scare: When you're not paying any attention to your surroundings, the sudden appearance of an attacking predator or falling debris can easily create this effect.
  • Scare Chord: Pianos, organs, and harpsichords can all create accidental examples of such whenever someone screws up either while playing one of them, pressing a damaged key, or dropping one down onto something or someone from a great height.
  • Things That Go "Bump" in the Night: When the darkness of the night dulls your senses, any noises heard during that time can be initially perceived as monsters hiding somewhere in your house waiting to Jump Scare the ever-loving crap out of you.

Edited by gamerzillasaurusrex2000 on Jan 3rd 2023 at 9:08:08 AM

Melinda Since: Dec, 2019 Relationship Status: Puppy love
#21870: Jan 2nd 2023 at 3:30:04 PM

Thanks Arivne

@ Teen Power Inc.

  • In The Missing Millionaire:
    • When a kidnapper pulls a knife on Sunny in the climax, a Badass Bystander motel guest incapacitates the villain with a wrestling hold and punches their knife out of their hands when the criminal tries to fight back.
    • When the second villain of the book (who pulls a downplayed Karma Houdini by avoiding jail time but being publicly exposed as a reprehensible thief) tries to give money to the gang as a face-saving gesture, even Nick and Richelle turn away in disgust despite their normal greed and materialism.

@ Teen Power Inc.

  • Big Eater: Tom never misses an opportunity to eat large servings even when his friends have no appetite.
  • Girly Girl: Richelle is a lot more prone to talking about her hair and clothes than Liz and Sunny are, and is also far less adventurous than them.
  • My Beloved Smother: In The Missing Millionaire, a woman who works with Mrs. Free is over thirty, but her mother still has her on a curfew and makes her ask permission before letting her date anyone. It turns out that two of the suspects/motel guests in the book are that woman and a man she secretly married and is preparing to elope with.
  • Plucky Comic Relief: Tom is written to be more goofy than his friends due to his moments of immaturity and some of the silly sketches he draws.
  • Plucky Girl: Liz and Sunny regularly brave danger and expect new jobs to turn out alright.
  • The Quiet One: Sunny is the member of the group who is least likely to make long speeches or jokes.
  • Spoiled Brat: Nick and Richelle come from richer families than their friends and are more prone to being selfish and obnoxious.
  • Team Mom: Liz got the group together in the first place and is the person most likely to spend her time helping the others or listening to them in earnest.
  • Villain of Another Story: In The Missing Millionaire, Vernon Bligh, a character who only appears in the final chapters, is the getaway driver for a bank robbery crew who stole and hid $400,000 before being arrested. However, rather than being the villain of the book, he is a victim, as he is kidnapped and tortured by a rival criminal who is after the money. This causes Vernon to reluctantly reveal where the loot is hidden after his rescue, to avoid the risk of going through the same thing all over again.

@ American Graffiti

@ Watchers and Slayers

  • Badass Longcoat: Rachel is a clever and tough Slayer who wears a trench coat while posing as a street person to lure in vampires to kill.
  • Improbable Weapon User: Rachel is strong enough to stake vampires with pencils.
  • Blonde, Brunette, Redhead: Anni is blonde while her two best school friends (who are both antisemitic bad influences) have red and brown hair.
  • Girlish Pigtails: She is a particularly young, short, and impressionable Slayer who wears her hair in pigtails.

@ Clue

  • In book #1, chapter 1 (“Who Killed Pitty Patty!”), Colonel Mustard challenges Mr. Green to a duel for threatening Ms. Scarlet.

Edited by Melinda on Jan 3rd 2023 at 9:55:07 AM

FateStayWho Since: Jul, 2016
#21871: Jan 2nd 2023 at 4:11:55 PM

Donkey Kong: Kremling Krew King K. Rool

  • No-Sell: In the 2nd and 3rd SNES games, K. Rool is immune to any conventional form of attack.

Angrybirds123456 Since: Jun, 2021
#21872: Jan 2nd 2023 at 4:32:53 PM

For the "Post-release DLC Theories" folder of the Cuphead WMG page.

The Distillery Dough is the Moonshine Mob's price for the liquor they bootleg.
  • The Distillery Dough is the profit the Moonshine Mob has been making off the liquor they've been making.

Tylerbear12 What you see is what you get, just a guy. from The Green Hills. Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
What you see is what you get, just a guy.
#21873: Jan 2nd 2023 at 7:29:50 PM

Thanks Arivne.

YMMV.Disney Theme Parks:

  • Fan Nickname: Pop Century Resort at Walt Disney World is often called "Pop Half-Century Resort" by fans since the planned other half of the resort, the "Legendary Years" section, would be scrapped and left abandoned on the property (until it was transformed into Disney's Art of Animation resort in 2012) due to the tourism crisis caused by the 9/11 attacks.

Edited by Tylerbear12 on Jan 2nd 2023 at 1:45:25 PM

Clare Since: Aug, 2009
#21874: Jan 3rd 2023 at 4:46:33 AM

@ jOSEFdelaville

Papa Louie Arcade

  • Anthropomorphic Food:

    • All enemies in the platformer games are living foods.
    • When Sundaes Attack (superfluous word - cut) has sentient icecream cones as friendly NPCs.
^ You've got two examples of the same trope in the same work, so they need to go on separate second level bullets.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

  • Inconsistent Dub:

    • In the French dub:

      • Ponyville keeps alternating between keeping its original name, or being literally translated to Poneyville. Sometime, the names alternate in the same episode.

      • The Elements of Harmony are either called "Éléments d'Harmonie", which is a literal translation, or "Éléments d'Équilibre", which means "Elements of Balance". Sometime, the names alternate in the same episode.

@ Melinda

  • In The Missing Millionaire:

  • When a kidnapper pulls a knife on Sunny in the climax, a Badass Bystander motel guest incapacitates the villain with a wrestling hold and punches their knife out of their hands when the criminal tries to fight back.

Teen Power Inc.

  • Girly Girl: Richelle is a lot more prone to talking about her hair and clothes than Liz and Sunny are, and is also far less adventurous than them.
^ The Chick is no longer a trope, so I changed it to Girly Girl.

  • The Quiet One: Sunny is the (move text) member of the group who is least likely to make long speeches or jokes.

  • Spoiled Brat: Nick and Richelle come from richer families than their friends and are more prone to being selfish and obnoxious (superfluous words - cut).

American Graffiti

^ Zero-Context Example. You need to make it clear what it is about this ending that fans dislike to the point where they "try to disregard" it.

Watchers and Slayers

  • Blonde, Brunette, Redhead: Anni is blonde while her two best school friends (who are both antisemitic Thad influences) have red and brown hair.
^ What's an "antisemitic Thad influence"?

  • (Redundant trope name - change): Anni is the only girl out of three kids.
^ Outnumbered Sibling is no longer a trope. If Anni dislikes being "the only girl out of three kids", you want Resentful Outnumbered Sibling, and you need to make her resentment clear or you'll end up with a Partial-Context Example. If she's learned any skills from her brothers, you want I Have Brothers. Again, make it clear what these skills are to avoid context issues. If she and one of her brothers are close in age and her other brother is much younger than his siblings, you want A Boy, a Girl, and a Baby Family. If none of these apply, simply having opposite sex siblings, but no same sex siblings is Chairs and the example should be cut.

Edited by Clare on Jan 3rd 2023 at 4:21:28 PM

Melinda Since: Dec, 2019 Relationship Status: Puppy love
#21875: Jan 3rd 2023 at 6:34:33 AM

Thank you Clare.

@ American Graffiti elaborating on what Clare saw as ZCE

@ Slapshots

  • The Benchwarmer: Coach Boom-Boom Boltisky's career lasted sixteen years after he first joined the NHL, but he only ever scored nine goals and spent a lot of time on the bench, recovering from head injuries, being traded, or being temporarily bumped to the minors.
  • Expy: Trent Ruben is a lot like Adam Banks from The Mighty Ducks, being the star player of a rich and cocky rival hockey team who ends up being transferred to a Ragtag Bunch of Misfits due to his placement on his original team violating the league's rules. Like Adam, Trent gradually starts fitting in with his new teammates and feuding with his Fair-Weather Friend old teammates.
  • I Told You So: Jared Enoch spends a lot of time lecturing the coach whenever something that Jared asked about and the coach ignored (like practicing penalty shots) becomes important.
@ Teen Power Inc.
  • In The Bad Dog Mystery, Richelle and her mother are hiding their family's valuables during a burgulary spree and Richelle suggests hiding them in the freezer, which a magazine article praised as a good hiding place. Mrs. Brinkley says that article was so popular that "any self-respecting burgular" probably knows to check the freezer. She also says not to think of a place that's too unusual, or they might forget where it is, just like Mr. Brinkley did with their house key one time.
  • In The Missing Millionaire, there's a bit of Black Comedy when the gang discuss their suspicions about how a lottery winner has been kidnapped and Richelle yawns as she points out that the kidnapper will certainly kill the lottery winner after getting the ticket to avoid leaving a witness.

Edited by Melinda on Jan 3rd 2023 at 8:56:51 AM


Total posts: 35,742
Top