1. doggiedude

    doggiedude Contributor Contributor

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    What the hell is wrong with salesmen?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by doggiedude, Jun 27, 2016.

    I'm not sure if this belongs in the software thread since this might only be a programming error. I've sent "trouble shooting" requests to Grammarly before with other issues and they've told me the problem wasn't them it was me.

    The Line:
    But still, his workload was light, and Che always enjoyed screwing with salesmen.
    The line above, the software shows there's some error (unknown what error.)

    When I change it to.
    But still, his workload was light, and Che always enjoyed screwing with company reps.
    The error disappears.

    But still, his workload was light, and Che always enjoyed screwing with penguins.
    Works fine also.

    Is this me? Am I somehow using the word "salesmen" wrong?
     
  2. mashers

    mashers Contributor Contributor Community Volunteer

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    I don't use that site, but is it possible that it's identifying a male-centric term which should be changed (i.e. to 'salespeople'?) You could perhaps try another such term to see if it does the same thing, or change it to 'salespeople' to see if that makes any difference.
     
    BayView likes this.
  3. Wayjor Frippery

    Wayjor Frippery Contributor Contributor

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    No, you're not. There's nothing wrong with your first sentence.

    Grammar software is no substitute for learning it yourself (forgive me for getting all didactic on yo' ass).

    :)
     
    Fernando.C likes this.
  4. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

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    What you have is correct. The software is giving you an error for no reason.
     
  5. newjerseyrunner

    newjerseyrunner Contributor Contributor Contest Winner 2022

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    Did you use the same expression a little beforehand? Some grammar checkers will look for repetitive phrases.

    Sometimes gramma checkers are simply wrong.
     
  6. doggiedude

    doggiedude Contributor Contributor

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    LOL I just thought of the same thing and tried the line:

    But still, his workload was light, and Che always enjoyed screwing with salespeople.
    It works fine. Okay .. I can understand the whole politically correct crap but that doesn't make the word salesmen not exist anymore.
     
  7. doggiedude

    doggiedude Contributor Contributor

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    Learning it myself is exactly what I'm trying to do, using a combination of software and all of you wonderful people who point out my mistakes. :D
     
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  8. mashers

    mashers Contributor Contributor Community Volunteer

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    This seems objectionable to me. If the purpose of the site is to check grammar, then this should not be highlighted. It is certainly not a grammatical error, and I don't think it's up to a grammar site to decide whether your choice of vocabulary is agreeable.
     
    Sack-a-Doo! and Fernando.C like this.
  9. Wayjor Frippery

    Wayjor Frippery Contributor Contributor

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    Yeah, my comment above was arrogant, wasn't it? I didn't mean it to be.

    Many moons ago I worked in TV and for a while I was a colourist (like doing Photoshop for video), matching the colours and contrast of each shot so the viewers wouldn't realize that everything was shot at different time and under different light. The dude who taught me how to use the software was unbelievably scathing about using any button marked auto. His whippings have stuck with me.

    Anyway, sorry. Didn't mean to be an ass. :D
     
  10. doggiedude

    doggiedude Contributor Contributor

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    No problem. I really didn't take offense.
     
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  11. Earp

    Earp Contributor Contributor

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    Be interesting to see what would happen with 'saleswoman', and some other words like 'chairman' or 'policeman'.
     
  12. obsidian_cicatrix

    obsidian_cicatrix I ink, therefore I am. Contributor

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    I'm curious... does anything happen when you add the definite article before 'salesmen?'
     
  13. doggiedude

    doggiedude Contributor Contributor

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    I'm too dumb to understand things like "definite article" but if it means changing it to "a salesman" that doesn't work either.
    You can play with the online editor at grammarly.com
     
  14. obsidian_cicatrix

    obsidian_cicatrix I ink, therefore I am. Contributor

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    Not dumb, just don't know the jargon. I'll happily admit to looking it up to make sure I was expressing it correctly. If you are dumb then so am I. I simply meant, 'the'.
     
  15. Gawler

    Gawler Senior Member

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    Maybe it is just me not using American grammar but I was always taught to never use a comma before and or but.
     
  16. Wayjor Frippery

    Wayjor Frippery Contributor Contributor

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    It's just you. :D
     
  17. Mumble Bee

    Mumble Bee Keep writing. Contributor

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    There's a Death of a Salesmen Joke in here somewhere, but I'm too tired to find it.
     
  18. mashers

    mashers Contributor Contributor Community Volunteer

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    I was taught the same thing, but I do it all the time. I think it's a stylistic choice, and I don't see a problem with it.

    See what I did there? :p
     
  19. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    Sounds like Grammarly is screwing with you. ;)

    But seriously, having Grammarly correct your grammar is fine, but they should leave political correctness to the experts. I know I do.
     
  20. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    Or 'manned space flight.'
     
  21. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    'A salesman' is using the indefinite article (any old salesman will do)
    'The salesmen' uses the definite article (these particular salesmen).

    Just FYI. :)
     

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