gnomi: (p_h)
[personal profile] gnomi
On this day of awful weather, a -ful related poll:

[Poll #500436]

Date: 2005-05-25 03:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arib.livejournal.com
I use both handfulls and handsfull at different times, but I can't quite codify rules for when I switch.

Date: 2005-05-25 03:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] csbermack.livejournal.com
I have two hands full, but I'm carrying two handfuls. I think because pluralizing something in the middle of the word isn't ok - and I keep having to remind myself to pluralize things in the middle of a phrase, like Attorneys General.

But now all of these look misspelled and somehow wrong.

Date: 2005-05-25 03:29 pm (UTC)
cellio: (writing)
From: [personal profile] cellio
The first forms come more naturally but the second ones feel more correct in some sense. (But I've gotten strange looks the few times I've used them.) I think English is just plain inconsistent here bacause, for example, it's "sisters-in-law", not "sister-in-laws".

Date: 2005-05-25 03:39 pm (UTC)
ext_2233: Writing MamaDeb (Default)
From: [identity profile] mamadeb.livejournal.com
I would use "spoonfuls" for anything else but sugar added to coffee or tea. For that, I use "sugars".

Date: 2005-05-25 03:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stakebait.livejournal.com
My rule of thumb is if it's a single word, the plural goes at the end of the word. If it's two words, the plural goes on the noun. So I've got two spoonfuls of sugar, but I've got my hands full of cups of coffee.

Date: 2005-05-25 03:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] farwing.livejournal.com
well now I'm just confused...

Date: 2005-05-25 04:02 pm (UTC)
beowabbit: (Default)
From: [personal profile] beowabbit
I consider "spoonfuls" and "handfuls" correct, but I consider "spoonsful" and "handsful" geeky and whimsical, and would be likely to use them, just as (back in the late '80s) I argued that the plural of Macintosh should be Macsintosh, just like mothers-in-law.

Date: 2005-05-25 04:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] woodwardiocom.livejournal.com
geeky and whimsical

-Or how the plural of "mongoose" is "polygoose".

Date: 2005-05-25 04:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zsero.livejournal.com
In the first example, I'd say I had added two spoons, which actually isn't at all what I'd done. In the second example, I'd say handsful, but I think most people I know would say handfuls.

Date: 2005-05-25 06:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chanaleh.livejournal.com
Mmm, handfuls of jellybeans. :-)

Date: 2005-05-25 08:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] doeeyedbunny.livejournal.com
You really like jellybeans. There's a big jar of them on the table. So you reach in once with each hand. You now have...

too many jellybeans.

Date: 2005-05-25 08:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cicirossi.livejournal.com
no no... stained hands

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