Argument about the word dwindle

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
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My Friends And I Are Having An Argument About The Word Dwindle…Can A Person Make Something Dwindle??? Is The Sentence…Mrs. Jones Please Dwindle This List Down To 40 People Correct? Please Advise…Also Give Some Sort Of Credentials When Answering…need some expert advice

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Hi ADAM29, AND WELCOME TO THE FORUMS! :wink:

As far as I know, the verb ‘dwindle’ can only be used intransitively – in other words, it does not take an object. Therefore you cannot dwindle something. Instead something simply dwindles.
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PS
Typing a post in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS is known as “shouting”, and it’s better not to shout in forums. :smiley:
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Sorry about the caps…first time in a forum…It says on most sites i go to that it can be use as as transitive verb…would that make a difference in the argument?

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Hi Adam29

I’ve now checked some online dictionaries and I see that some of them also list “dwindle” as a transitive verb. However, I’d say that any usage as a transitive verb would be unusual in the active voice (as in the sentence you posted). If used transitively, I assume it would probably be mainly in a passive sort of construction such as this:

  • MRS. JONES, PLEASE GET THIS LIST DWINDLED DOWN TO 40 PEOPLE!

However, I do think the verb ‘dwindle’ is primarily used intransitively.

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So is the sentence I typed grammatically correct or no? I understand it may not be used often the way I typed it…but is it incorrect?

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Hi Adam

One of the problems with trying to categorize things simply as “grammatically correct or not” is that you can build sentences which are perfectly correct grammatically speaking, but which are also completely nonsensical. Have a look at this:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorless_ … _furiously

There is more to language than grammar. Among other things, usage, meaning and dialect should also be taken into account in order to determine “correctness”. However, if all you want is for me (or someone else) to simply take sides and say “correct” or “incorrect”, then I would categorize your original sentence as “incorrect”.
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Hi, Amy

In fact the sentence “colourless green ideas sleep furiously” has a meaning. It conveys the idea that although some sentences are grammatically correct, they are nonsencical. This sentence has become an idiom, don’t you think so? :wink: :lol:

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Hi Alex

I would guess that the average American has never heard that sentence before, and would also have no idea why someone would even say such a weird thing.

I agree, however, that Chomsky’s “colorless green ideas” are extremely well-known in the world of linguistics. :lol:
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That’s right. Something may dwindle in value/number/importance etc, but here the object is not necessarily needed.

This sentence brings back fond memories of idle cafeteria talk with fellow students. And it once worked to impress a lass (and make her aloofness dwindle) :o.

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Hi Ralf

Ah, so you [color=green]Irish lads have a special fondness for that green sentence, do ya? :lol:
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There is no object (of the verb “dwindle”) in any of those phrases, Ralf. What sort of object would you even consider inserting into those?

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Yes, it works well with the whole concept of Finn’s Hotel :wink:

“To eyes so unsealed King Leary’s fiery locks appeared of the colour of sorrel green, His Majesty’s saffron kilt of the hue of brewed spinach, the royal golden breasttorc of the tint of curly cabbage, the verdant mantle of the monarch as of the green of laurel boughs, the commanding azure eyes of a thyme and parsley aspect, the enamelled gem of the ruler’s ring as a rich lentil, the violet contusions of the prince’s feature tinged uniformly as with an infusion of sennacassia.”

If anyone’s confused, so am I. I used to learn stuff like this by heart to impress inclinable ladies. These days I simply tell them that the graze wounds received in a bike accident are in fact acid burns I got when tortured by KGB agents in some kind post cold war entanglement. :stuck_out_tongue:

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Inclinable lassies, Ralf? Were many so inclined? :lol:
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Perhaps the more important number is how many declined? :lol:

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Well, to call a spade a spade, the most favourable ones declined indeed. But if you picture the odds on a Friday night out in Dublin, a long shot can easily turn into a safe wager. Particularly just before closing time :wink: