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Goronsky Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

academic

Are all my scenarios below correct with "it's all academic"-- yes or no? Thank you.

It's all academic now. With 10 seconds left on the shot clock and the team down by 12 points, I'd say this one is over and in the books. It's history.

The shoplifter begged the security officer to not have him arrested, but it was all academic (a done deal; over and done with) at that point because the security officer had alreadycontacted the police and they were on their way. He was not going to change his mind.

Which type of car I want to purchase is of academic interest because I have no money to buy one. (Makes no difference; doesn't matter.)

When he delivered a devastating uppercut to his formidable adversary, it was all academic (over) from that point forward, and he would ultimately and inevitably be the winner.

John's answer was purely academic because the question had already been answered. (His answer really didn't matter at that point.)
  

Top answer

"Academic" mean of theoretical interest only and thus of no practical relevance. Academic considerations by definition cannot affect the outcome of a contest, so if only academic considerations are present, then the outcome of the contest is determined, even if by its rules the contest hasn't officially concluded. But "academic" doesn't mean "over" even if it makes a contest "over" for practical purposes.

  • "Academic" mean of theoretical interest only and thus of no practical relevance.
  • Academic considerations by definition cannot affect the outcome of a contest, so if only academic considerations are present, then the outcome of the contest is determined, even if by its rules the contest hasn't officially concluded.
  • But "academic" doesn't mean "over" even if it makes a contest "over" for practical purposes.
  • This means that your only questionable example is the devastating uppercut, which presumably knocked out the adversary, formidable as he seemed.
  • The thing that would have to be academic would be some effort by the adversary, but since he's unconscious, he's not capable of making any, academic or otherwise.
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3 Answers
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"Academic" mean of theoretical interest only and thus of no practical relevance. Academic considerations by definition cannot affect the outcome of a contest, so if only academic considerations are present, then the outcome of the contest is determined, even if by its rules the contest hasn't officially concluded. But "academic" doesn't mean "over" even if it makes a contest "over" for practical
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deadrat"Academic" means of theoretical interest only

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