MxMIndia

Tag: English

  • Perhaps afraid of committing themselves with a "will", or wanting to sound polite and ineffable, more and more people are using "would" in the wrong place. Vidya Heble tries to restore order

    Speaking of Which – The Woulds Are Not Lovely

    By Vidya Heble

     

    Perhaps afraid of committing themselves with a “will”, or wanting to sound polite and ineffable, more and more people are using “would” in the wrong place. It is reminiscent of the backlash against “me”, which resulted in everyone saying “I” even when “me” was the correct word. That wave has begun to recede, fortunately, but there’s a new one upon us. It’s the tsunami of the “would”.

     

    I see it in at least one press release every other day, and I kid you not. There’s an announcement of someone’s impending appointment or a product launch or an event, and we are told, “So-and-so would take charge on Monday.” “The gadget would be priced at Rs x.” It should be obvious to the reader that “will” is the right word to use in these instances. So why don’t they say “will”? (Or are they secretly telling us that So-and-so would take charge on Monday if he could shake off the massive hangover he’s bound to get after the Sunday party? And that the gadget would be priced at Rs x if the marketers felt generous, but instead they are selling it at Rs x++, suckers?)

     

    I can only imagine that it is some sort of desire to sound fancy – that is what drives most of the drivel these days.  But being wrong is not fancy at all, and the sooner the would-wielders learn it, the better.

     

    “Would” is, of course, used by news writers when quoting someone in indirect speech, ie without inverted commas. For example: The announcement would revolutionize the industry, he said. “The announcement will revolutionize the industry,” he said. When “would” is used in the context of a future event, it indicates a condition attached to it – ie, “I would if I could”. It is also a super-polite way to say “will”, but not quite in Press Release Land: “Mr Tochuka Sui would be happy to attend.”

     

    There are many other legitimate uses of “would”, and who better than the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv43.shtml)  and the British Council (http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/modal-verbs/will-or-would) to explain them?

     

    I would hit the sack now if I could, but there are miles to go before I sleep.

     

    Vidya Heble is Deputy Editor at MxMIndia, when she is not twitching obsessive-compulsively.

     

  • BIG CBS Networks unveils fresh programming and future plans for the network

    New programming to make BIG CBS bigger

    By A Correspondent

    BIG CBS Networks Pvt. Ltd., an equal joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network Limited and CBS Studios International, has announced its new fresh programming line-up and future plans for its channels. The network, which went live with three channels in a record breaking time of under six months, has captured hearts of the discerning Indian audiences and stands as the No 1 English General Entertainment Network today.

    In keeping with its promise of offering the latest seasons of programming, airing concurrent to the US, the channel has acquired fresh content from leaders in the international entertainment space like Boman Bridge, Alfred Haber, Bobby Goldstein and Medi-Asia. Offering audiences more than 25 hours of original fresh programming each week, on each channel, the Network offers audiences a further assortment of programming, and advertisers, the best platform to partner with for their brands.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr Nikhil Mirchandani, Business Head, Television Channels, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd said, “We are very pleased with the way the channels have shaped and delivered. The channels have grown the market and we have been able to successfully bridge the existing void in international quality programming that existed. We now enter our next growth phase and are completely equipped with our hand-picked shows that match the tastes and sensibilities of our target audiences.”

    Mr Mirchandani further added, “BIG CBS’ programming is in keeping with our endeavour to offer Indians the latest, freshest and hottest content straight from America. Today, audiences have evolved and are looking for more than just soaps and films. The well travelled Indian viewer is always looking for quality content and we continue to bring the best of American television to our viewers here. Also, our effort to give audiences India-grown content has worked excellently for us with the overwhelming response to India’s Sexiest Bachelor. Tracing this success, BIG CBS is now launching the next Indian property, India’s Glam Diva. With this and more shows planned BIG CBS Network is poised to become a network to reckon with.”