Sorry I'm a little late to the party. I generally ...

2010-01-24T15:35:15.188+05:30

Sorry I'm a little late to the party. I generally agree with all the points made. Regarding the "least objectionable" clue #5:

Engine parts from crate burst or fell apart (12) CARBURETTORS

UK spelling notwithstanding, I have my own objections to this clue, and it's fitting that Shuchi mentions my article on cryptic grammar. When using verbal anagrinds with this definition/wordplay order, the following combinations work grammatically:

* [Definition] / [fodder] [present or past tense, intransitive verb]
* [Definition] / [fodder] [participle]
* [Definition] from [fodder] [participle]

In the first case, the clue cleanly splits without a connector, with the wordplay forming a complete sentence. In the last case, the grammar of the connector comes into play. Since "from" is a preposition, it cannot be followed by a complete sentence: it must be followed by a noun phrase, which is why a participle is required.

So "fell" does not work for me in this clue because the indicator is not a participle. It would be better to use an anagrind that works as both past tense (surface) and past participle (cryptic), e.g.:

Engine parts from crate burst or disintegrated (12)

Shuchi, In the event, I did not post my Comments ...

2010-01-23T07:01:56.256+05:30

Shuchi,

In the event, I did not post my Comments here. I wrote an analysis independently before reading the views expressed by you and your readers.

Please permit the link:

http://cgrishikesh.wordpress.com/2010/01/23/analysis-of-some-clues/

Thanks.

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Sorry I'm a little late to the party. I generally ...

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