This post came about as I was marking Ivy's essay. What is the correct usage for the phrase? Is it "If worse comes to worse", "If worst comes to worst" or "If worse comes to worst"?
The answers on the Internet SEEM TO suggest the last alternative.
I found a short answer here at Yahoo! Answers.
There is also a short entry here by a "D_Art" on Urban Dictionary.
However, there is a contrary opinion on "The Maven's Word of the Day"website, that suggests that the phrase should actually be "If the worst comes to the worst".
Students sometimes ask me why is English so confusing at times. I wonder to myself as well and then I realise that we would give our love to complex creatures with emotions and mood swings, lovers with tempers and tantrums, and living things that are fickle and indecisive; instead of unfeeling machines and cold laboratory equipment. We always give our love to things with imperfections, and it is those imperfections that makes our love perfect.
And that is how the English language can be at times; a tempermental animal with many exceptions to the rule. It is a living thing and is constantly changing and evolving. It is probably why so many of us love to craft it and use it.
So in answer to your question, Ivy, if worst came to worst, you should write the sentence in another way for the exams.
Have fun,
Michael Lee
p.s. But if you are planning to be a writer of novels or books, then follow your heart (and perhaps your favourite author). In my case, I would follow the writer of "Tom Sawyer", Mark Twain, and say, "If the worst came to the worst, I will still have my love of my family."
This might be a reason why English is important. :)
Well, the first part of being understood is to listen and understand. Therefore, today's lesson will be on spelling! Hmm... What might this have to do with listening, you may ask?
Go to the website below. Create a profile, or you can play the spelling games without logging in. Let us see who can get the highest score by the end of the day!
http://www.timesspellingbee.co.uk/Default.aspx
Note: You can also go to the website at your own leisure.
Hi 3E2,
I am pleased to add Shyaifuddin to our class blogs. His URL (Unique Resource Locator) or blog address is: www.shyai-shiyayi.blogspot.com
In addition, Ivy has changed her blog address to: www.tell-paula-i-love-her.blogspot.com. Please update the links on your blog.
Regards,
Michael Lee
Publish a post in your blog on the current pandemic. You can include pictures or links to help your reader get a more complete picture.
Try to find the answers to these following questions to help you understand the situation better:
- What are the symptoms of swine flu?
- How is it spread? Through food? Is it airborne?
- What is the current pandemic alert level as indicated by the WHO? Do you think Singapore is at risk?
- What are your thoughts and feelings towards this event? Are you afraid? Confident in the government? Worried about your relatives? Ambivalent? Happy that schools may be closed?
The Straits Times News Reports today 30/04/2009.
BBC News Report as at 29/04/2009 Wednesday (Click on the various tabs! There is a wealth of information here!
WHO (World Health Organisation) website on the swine flu pandemic (They are the authority on this matter. They are also the ones who are monitoring and issuing the pandemic alert levels).
Article on Yahoo! News posted on 30/04/2009 Thursday.
Hello!
Today, you will publish your first post on your blog. First, let us watch the video below. You can choose to watch it from my blog or, alternatively, you can visit the website via the link below to watch it there.
I hope you were touched by the video. Go to your blog and create a post about the video. Click the link above and embed the video into your blog post so others can see it on your blog!
Questions to think about:
- What reactions and feelings do you have after watching the clip?
- Why do you think some people are so poor while others are rich?
- Do you think what is happening in the video is fair? If not, what can be done to stop it? If you think its fair, why do you say so?
Create your blog and let's get started!
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