s/are comprised of/are composed of/
Are you saying that "are comprised of" is not grammatically correct in its context in the article? Why?
Paving the way for human-level sentence corrections
21–23 of 23 posts
Re: Paving the way for human-level sentence corrections
#22This is a great project -- in Phase One, the algorithm will correct sentences written by people who didn't learn basic literacy in school and who subsequently endeavor to avoid reading or writing any text, preferring video. In Phase Two, the algorithm will do away with the poorly written source and create something entirely on its own. Based on my sampling of contemporary human-crafted sentences, Phase Two will take…
> In Phase Two, the algorithm will do away with the poorly written source and create something entirely on its own. Based on my sampling of contemporary human-crafted sentences, A problem with this is that there will be a tendency for it to become normative. This is what happened to the OED. Originally it was an etymological dictionary of the usage of English. Now it is regarded as an arbiter of 'correct' English.
> A problem with this is that there will be a tendency for it to become normative.
Yes, true. It would turn description into prescription, but we're already approaching that point. I'm not advocating this, only mentioning it.
> This is what happened to the OED. Originally it was an etymological dictionary of the usage of English. Now it is regarded as an arbiter of 'correct' English.
I suspect those behind the OED would deny that as a goal, while acknowledging it as an outcome.
I have a little fun with people who think dictionaries prescribe correct usage, by pointing out that, according to current dictionaries, "literally" and "figuratively" mean the same thing. This is true because that's how people use the words, and a dictionary's purpose is to dispassionately record how people use words, without judgment or rancor.
This is why "reign it in" (now seen regularly) will become an accepted substitute for "rein it in" -- people want to say it that way, so be it. Reigning is what a monarch does to a kingdom, reining is what a cowboy does to a horse, but people are free to say what they want.