marchex $155 million. What domains did they buy?

[Anthony Ng]

To simply put, grammar is not prescriptive but descriptive. If enough people (esp. in mainstream media) use debts as something countable and plural, then it becomes correct. Please note that it becomes correct: it's a process which may take from years to decades, depending on circumstances. But like I posted earlier on, the meaning, use and even pronunciation of words change over time. For instance, some people still think the word "whose" is only used to refer to persons.

 

[adill420]

I am sorry to have to post out of nowhere but DEBTS is an acceptable word. In asia, australia and Europe it is a widely accepted word. Only in the US debt is still considered the plural format however like nameslave said it. Google is a word as well. In colleges people refer to google and searching mass. Terminology mainly lies till the people from dictionary hear it. Acceptance is another issue which various from people to people!

 

[Josh]

This should settle the issue:

Associated Press news article

Headline: Poll: Half of Americans Worry About Debts
Story: "...One-half of Americans say they worry about the money they owe, and many say they worry most of the time about their overall debts, an Associated Press poll found. Those debts can come from home and car loans as well as credit cards-- even more so with December buying sprees. ... Most with credit cards said they carefully manage the debts on those cards ..." And it goes on to use the word various other times.

American news article, by the Associated Press.

 

[bigbobm]

Who cares about debts? When I started the tread I wanted to know what domains they bought. If you know what domains marchex bought please respond.

Thanks,

Bob

This should settle the issue:

Associated Press news article

Headline: Poll: Half of Americans Worry About Debts
Story: "...One-half of Americans say they worry about the money they owe, and many say they worry most of the time about their overall debts, an Associated Press poll found. Those debts can come from home and car loans as well as credit cards-- even more so with December buying sprees. ... Most with credit cards said they carefully manage the debts on those cards ..." And it goes on to use the word various other times.

American news article, by the Associated Press.

 

[Fearless]

This should settle the issue:

Sure does if you consider journalists infallible.

 

[Josh]

Sure does if you consider journalists infallible.

Hmm, ok. If not journalists, how about Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=debts

 

[Anthony Ng]

Sure does if you consider journalists infallible.

Apparently, you "still" still don't get it. When 5 journalists use debts, they might be grammatically wrong; but when 50 journalists (from established mainstream media like AP or Guardian) do so, it then becomes correct! Now, stay after school for some extra classwork. LOL!