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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Need to find a word to convey this meaning
I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, the Observer , about its not living up to my belief that its role should be the ambassador to all-things Dunkirk (the town which it covers). I want to say something like:
"And the Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, "
Of course, "should-be" is not a word according to m-w.com. And I can't say "would-be" since the Observer itself, as far as I know, does not "desir(e), profess(), or hav(e) the potential to be" all-things Dunkirk, as it would have to according to m-w.com again (well, ok, it has the potential to be all-things Dunkirk, but I still don't think "would-be" would be appropriate here (and I love the double "would be" that I just wrote!! ) )).
What is a good word to use in place of "should-be"?
Also, is my use of double parentheses above acceptable English? What about the space after my smiley face (to prevent confusion with the other parentheses)?? And what about hyphenating "all-things"??
Thanks!
"And the Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, "
Of course, "should-be" is not a word according to m-w.com. And I can't say "would-be" since the Observer itself, as far as I know, does not "desir(e), profess(), or hav(e) the potential to be" all-things Dunkirk, as it would have to according to m-w.com again (well, ok, it has the potential to be all-things Dunkirk, but I still don't think "would-be" would be appropriate here (and I love the double "would be" that I just wrote!! ) )).
What is a good word to use in place of "should-be"?
Also, is my use of double parentheses above acceptable English? What about the space after my smiley face (to prevent confusion with the other parentheses)?? And what about hyphenating "all-things"??
Thanks!
Top answer
} I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, the Observer , about its } not living up to my belief that its role should be the ambassador to } all-things Dunkirk (the town which it covers). com. com again (well, ok, it has the potential } to be all-things Dunkirk, but I still don't think "would-be" would be } appropriate here (and I love the double "would be" that I just wrote!!
- } I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, the Observer , about its } not living up to my belief that its role should be the ambassador to } all-things Dunkirk (the town which it covers).
- com.
- com again (well, ok, it has the potential } to be all-things Dunkirk, but I still don't think "would-be" would be } appropriate here (and I love the double "would be" that I just wrote!!
- } )).
- } } What is a good word to use in place of "should-be"?
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49 Answers
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} I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, the Observer , about its } not living up to my belief that its role should be the ambassador to } all-things Dunkirk (the town which it covers). I want to say something like: }
} "And the Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, " }
} Of course, "should-be" is not a word according to m-w.com. And I can't say } "would-be" s
} "And the Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, " }
} Of course, "should-be" is not a word according to m-w.com. And I can't say } "would-be" s
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[nq:1]I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, the Observer , aboutits not living up to my belief ... English? Whatabout the space after my smiley face (to prevent confusion with the other parentheses)?? And what about hyphenating "all-things"??[/nq]
Maybe 'expectable' or 'duty bound'. I don't think you need a single word for economy of expression- the example you gave can be changed by
Maybe 'expectable' or 'duty bound'. I don't think you need a single word for economy of expression- the example you gave can be changed by
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[nq:1]} I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, the Observer , about its } not living up ... place of "should-be"? "Should-be" isn't so bad, and (m-w notwithstanding) ought to be a skosh more British than "would-be", anyhow.[/nq]
I rather like "should-be." The fact that it isn't in m-w.com doesn't matter. It's very clear and effective, and besides, coining phrases/words is not against
I rather like "should-be." The fact that it isn't in m-w.com doesn't matter. It's very clear and effective, and besides, coining phrases/words is not against
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[nq:2]} I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, ... ought to be a skosh more British than "would-be", anyhow.[/nq]
[nq:1]I rather like "should-be." The fact that it isn't in m-w.com doesn't matter. It's very clear and effective, and besides, coining phrases/words is not against any rules that I know of that apply to Letters to the Editor.[/nq]
"Should-be" is fine.
Adrian
[nq:1]I rather like "should-be." The fact that it isn't in m-w.com doesn't matter. It's very clear and effective, and besides, coining phrases/words is not against any rules that I know of that apply to Letters to the Editor.[/nq]
"Should-be" is fine.
Adrian
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[nq:1]I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, the Observer , about its not living up to my ... Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, " Of course, "should-be" is not a word according to m-w.com.[/nq]
Hyphens may be used by anyone to tie together words that have never been tied together before, so you can do this. Not that you're the first to combine "should" and "be
Hyphens may be used by anyone to tie together words that have never been tied together before, so you can do this. Not that you're the first to combine "should" and "be
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[nq:1]"And the Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, "[/nq]
"Should be" is perfectly fine, but it shouldn't have that hyphen. Capitalizing "should" for emphasis is acceptable, but there's no need to capitalize "be" as well. You seem to have spurious definite article in there, too.
It's unusual to start a sentence with "and". It may not be wrong, but you don't show us t
"Should be" is perfectly fine, but it shouldn't have that hyphen. Capitalizing "should" for emphasis is acceptable, but there's no need to capitalize "be" as well. You seem to have spurious definite article in there, too.
It's unusual to start a sentence with "and". It may not be wrong, but you don't show us t
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[nq:1]"And the Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, " What is a good word to use in place of "should-be"?[/nq]
Perhaps:
"Which should be by design the ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, "?
or "proposed"?
Marius Hancu
Perhaps:
"Which should be by design the ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, "?
or "proposed"?
Marius Hancu
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[nq:2]"And the Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-thingsDunkirk, " What is a good word to use in place of "should-be"?[/nq]
[nq:1]Perhaps: "Which should be by design the ambassador of all-things Dunkirk,"? or "proposed"?[/nq]
I'm for "should-be", as long as it's presented in ordinary type.
Mike.
[nq:1]Perhaps: "Which should be by design the ambassador of all-things Dunkirk,"? or "proposed"?[/nq]
I'm for "should-be", as long as it's presented in ordinary type.
Mike.
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[nq:1]I am writing a complaint to my local newspaper, the Observer , aboutits not living up to my belief ... the double "would be" that I justwrote!!
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[nq:2]"And the Observer , the SHOULD-BE ambassador of all-things Dunkirk, "[/nq]
[nq:1]"Should be" is perfectly fine, but it shouldn't have that hyphen.[/nq]
Thanks Daniel! It's strange, since m-w.com lists "would-be" with a hyphen.
[nq:1]Capitalizing "should" for emphasis is acceptable, but there's no need to capitalize "be" as well. You seem to have spurious definite article in there
[nq:1]"Should be" is perfectly fine, but it shouldn't have that hyphen.[/nq]
Thanks Daniel! It's strange, since m-w.com lists "would-be" with a hyphen.
[nq:1]Capitalizing "should" for emphasis is acceptable, but there's no need to capitalize "be" as well. You seem to have spurious definite article in there
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