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Forums - Website Topics - Why the Constant Misuse of the Verb "Release"?

Damnyouall on 21 October 2010

I have noticed again and again that even the contributors who report news on vgchartz are constantly misusing the verb "to release", and it seems to be spreading.

Latest example: http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/82464/parasite-eve-releasing-on-psn/
"Parasite Eve Releasing on PSN"

"Release" is something you actively do. From the perspective of the game, this is a passive event. Hence, the grammatically correct sentence is: "Parasite Eve to be Released on PSN" or "Parasite Eve is Released on PSN". Games don't release, they are released. The game itself doesn't release anything. From the publisher's point of view, release can be used in an active manner. For instance: "Square Enix Are Releasing Parasite Eve on PSN".

If you wish to use an active verb instead, then go for launch. "Launch" can be used both actively or passively. Games launch or are launched. Consoles launch or are launched.

Please don't call me a grammar nazi now; this is friendly advice to make vgchartz more professional; you wouldn't see headlines like "Parasite Eve Releasing on PSN" on any other large website.



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Faxanadu on 21 October 2010

Sounds like a reasonable point.



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alekth on 21 October 2010

A fair point.

Grammatically it's wrong even without logically considering whether a game can actively release rather than be released, because release is a transitive verb - it takes a direct object to use it. N1 releases N2, N2 is necessary for correct grammar.
Launch on the other hand can be used both as a transitive and as an intransitive verb with the same meaning, so it works well in this case.



pariz on 21 October 2010

Thanks!

I don't remember if I misused it or not. Anyway, the fact is I won't from now on.



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Killiana1a on 21 October 2010

Parents not employing Net Nanny to police their pubetard's internet use.



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Porcupine_I on 21 October 2010

maybe because this happened?

 



“It appeared that there had even been demonstrations to thank Big Brother for raising the chocolate ration to twenty grams a week. And only yesterday, he reflected, it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grams a week. Was it possible that they could swallow that, after only twenty-four hours? Yes, they swallowed it.”

- George Orwell, ‘1984’

Legend11 on 21 October 2010

Oops ignore this post.



puffy on 21 October 2010

Hopefully this is read by all contributers as spelling and grammar is the basis for good journalism. Helping out in any way is always appreciated :)



 

d21lewis on 21 October 2010

Well, in the example "Parasite Eve Releasing on PSN", it's automatically implied that Parasite Eve is releasing its awesomeness on the world.  So in that particular situation, it is correct.



Faxanadu on 21 October 2010
d21lewis said:

Well, in the example "Parasite Eve Releasing on PSN", it's automatically implied that Parasite Eve is releasing its awesomeness on the world.  So in that particular situation, it is correct.


Stick to the women. Clearly your field of expertise.



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The views expressed here may be personal and/or offensive and are not necessarily the views of Faxanadu.