Welcome to Writing Forums, one of the fastest growing writing communties on the web.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and photo galleries. By joining our free community you will
be able to talk with other writers, get feedback on your work to improve your writing skills, discuss ideas, share tips & tricks, network and make friends!
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support.
| Research Research for your story or poem. Ask about history, technology, language etc. |
02-10-2005, 02:32 AM
|
#1
|
|
Addict
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: AZ
Gender: Male
Posts: 160
|
Till or Until
I've noticed till being used more often in formal settings. Is until evolutionizing into till? I do find it kind of odd that in shortening the word, it is lengthened by one L.
|
|
|
|
02-10-2005, 08:26 AM
|
#2
|
|
Manager
Manager
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Great White North
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,054
|
I think it's more a case of dropping the < ' >
Much like people do in 'cause when shortening because.
__________________
"...make your own nature, not the advice of others, your guide in life." --Pythia, Oracle of Apollo at Delphi
|
|
|
|
|
02-10-2005, 08:39 AM
|
#3
|
|
Ink Slinger
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Texas
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,816
|
If a language evolves usually the formal words are replaced by informal...
|
|
|
|
|
02-10-2005, 08:40 AM
|
#4
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kansas City Missouri
Gender: Male
Posts: 311
|
i use 'til with one "L" but uhh yeah anyway ... i think it should have to do with how its being used or if its dialogue then what character is saying it
__________________
"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music"
-George Carlin
Why is common sense so damn uncommon in this country
peep the space: http://www.myspace.com/yamato_ishida
|
|
|
|
|
02-10-2005, 09:00 AM
|
#5
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Back 'home' on Tinian!
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,445
|
'til with one 'l' is just the proper spelling... till is an alternative to it, the extra 'l' seemingly replacing the apostrophe to make it a full word instead of a truncated/elided one...
i don't really see either one as formal or casual, and use them interchangeably, as the mood strikes... or depending on which looks/sounds best in the sentence...
does anyone here have any formalized reason for choosing one over the other?
hugs, maia
__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com
"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
|
|
|
|
|
02-10-2005, 12:34 PM
|
#6
|
|
Scribe
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 86
|
Doing a quick search around dictionary.com suggests that the word 'until' has the prefix "und-" from Old Norse, and the root "-til" or "till", as in farming - turning the soil.
So it would seem that the word was "continue doing X as long as it's not yet time to till the fields".
Dropping the prefix is not proper, technically. Saying "Do x till..." would equate to "do X prepare the fields for planting...", which isn't correct sentance structure.
However, 'til or till as abbrv. of until are certainly gaining in popularity. Use it if it fits the vernacular of your story. 
I use 'until' 90% of the time, and 'til occationally in dialog, depending on the person speaking. |
|
|
|
|
02-11-2005, 10:16 AM
|
#7
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New York State
Gender: Male
Posts: 288
|
I was ready to say I hadn't seen the double-L version before, and it must be new. But then --
'Second to the right,' said Peter, 'and then straight on till morning.'
- Barrie
Also, Entick's Dictionary (Engl., c1800) has no entry for til, but has --
Till, conj. until, to the time or degree; prep. unto.
__________________
It wouldn't be right to dream, while
Forgetting to live, it seems;
Nor would it be right to dwell on life
And yet forget our dreams.
-If There Were No Magicians
|
|
|
|
|
02-11-2005, 03:23 PM
|
#8
|
|
Ink Slinger
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Texas
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,816
|
Until the rain lets up I will wait 'til I get an umbrella to till my field  |
|
|
|
|
02-12-2005, 08:28 AM
|
#9
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New York State
Gender: Male
Posts: 288
|
I'll bet it's hard to train an umbrella to till. 
__________________
It wouldn't be right to dream, while
Forgetting to live, it seems;
Nor would it be right to dwell on life
And yet forget our dreams.
-If There Were No Magicians
|
|
|
|
|
02-12-2005, 09:23 AM
|
#10
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Back 'home' on Tinian!
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,445
|
my thoughts exactly!... i'm picturing it and wondering if one does it best with the umbrella 'deployed' or rolled?
[we're just funnin' withya, drz... no harm meant!]
hugs, maia
__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com
"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
|
|
|
|
|
02-12-2005, 12:16 PM
|
#11
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 5,240
|
__________________
Ruthless comments encouraged!
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:36 AM. Powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000-2007, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0
|
|
Newsletter |
 |
|
Subscribe to Majestic
the official newsletter of Writing Forums and lit.org
|
|
Link to Us: 
|
|
