Hello, Alexander!

On �� 24.11.23 14:55, Alexander Koryagin (2:221/6) wrote me:

 ak>>> A Russianman (muzhik) thoought out what to do to preserve his
 ak>>> tomatoes,he grew at his ddacha, from thievs..
 GH>> ak I beliee the punctuatioon is not well here. 2 commas too
 GH>> many. :-)
 AK> You, IMHO, just to used to reading social networks where people don't
 AK> use commas at all. :)

Well... I remember now, that long ago, you expressed dissatisfaction with my one-line replies to your posts. So I have reconsidered my approach to written conversations. :-)

"You're used to reading smth" or "you used to read" -- those are different things. Decide which is more appropriate here.

===
*1* I used to / I didn't use to

First, we can say, "I used to" when talking about things that we did frequently in the past but we don't do today.
For example, I used to take piano lessons when I was a child. I took piano lessons. But nowadays I don't take piano lessons, so I can say, "I used to take piano lessons."

*2* I'm used to / I'm not used to

Now, we also have the expressions "I'm used to" and "I'm not used to." These are different. These are used for talking about customs, things that you are accustomed to doing.
For example, here in Russia, I was born in the Russia, I'm used to driving on the right side of the road. In England they drive on the left, so I'm used to driving on the right side of the road and I'm not used to driving on the left side of the road, because my custom is to drive on the right.
===

"You're too used to reading(?) social networks..."
Well, actually I'm not. If I was spending a lot of time in social networks I wouldn't have had time to correspond with you & others in fidonet. Obviously, I prefer the latter though.

 AK> But, according the rules, an additional information which is not
 AK> essential for understanding is marked by commas. Well, I also often
 AK> ignore this rule. ;)

The thing is, in English puctuation rules are different than in Russian, sometimes way different. You sure may have to use commas in this case if you write it down in Russian (according to its rules), but in English I don't think so. Anyway, that was my guess.

 GH>> May I put t that way so thhat it would look more "digestible"?

BTW what is going on with your quoting? Are you experimenting again? :-)

 GH>> "Russian dtchnik contrivedd how to protect his tomatoes from
 GH>> theft"
 AK> Well, digestion depends on food habits. ;) And, BTW, where have you
 AK> found "datchnik" in English dictionaries?

Who needs dictionaries? Let's keep up with the latest trends and consult with...

Yes!

ChatGPT.

===
Q: Can you explain the word "datchnik" to me?
A: "Datchnik" is a Russian word that refers to a person who owns or has access to a dacha, which is a country house or cottage in Russia and other countries in the former Soviet Union. The term "datchnik" is often used to describe someone who spends time at their dacha during weekends or holidays, enjoying the countryside and outdoor activities. It can also be used more broadly to refer to someone who is associated with the dacha culture in general.
===

Nonetheless you have no second thoughts about "muzhik"? :-)
I don't find it quite acceptable, because it's supposed to be similar in meaning to "hillbilly" or "redneck", probably? We need native speakers' expertise on this.

 ak>>> And he wrte on his fence  this announcement:
 GH>> "He postedthe following annnouncement on his fence: "
 AK> Well, but IMHO people write words on the fences, not post them. ;-)

Okay, if he would write it with paint you're right. But he might as well print it on a sheet of paper and glue it up on the fence, because it's got to be "an official announcement". We all know what's being written on fences. :-)

 ak>>> "One of m tomatoes is poiisoned!" Next day he sees an
 ak>>> addition: "Now there are two".
 GH>> "Next day he saw a line was added"
 AK> "Next day he saw a line had been added" ;)

Yep, yours seems more correct.

 GH>> All in all seems like a trrue story though. --)
 AK> "it seems"?

You can say both ways. AFAIK "it" is often omitted in casual conversations.


Regards,                                            | �� 24.11.23, 00:54
    Gleb
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