Is Google a proper verb?
I know it's a proper noun (the name of something). A Google search (adjective?) for the answer was unsuccessful. No one will commit that proper verbs exist.
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Currently, there is no such thing in the English language as a proper verb. A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing, such as Gerald, New York, and the Titanic. Whilst the word Google has become a verb, it is not a proper verb. That would be a brand new grammatical category.
ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M
@CorvusBlackthorne So, let's make it a new category!
CorvusBlackthorne · 100+, M
@ChipmunkErnie There is certainly no reason not to.
ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M
@CorvusBlackthorne Time to start a petition!
In grammar, the term "proper noun" refers to the names of people, places and anything that is a sole thing of it's kind such as the seasons or cardinal directions. A proper noun is spelt with a capitalized first letter: Jack and Jill Smith, Washington, Summer, North etc.
In English grammar, we do not have "proper" verbs.
What you're really asking is, "can the word google be correctly used as a verb?"
The answer is yes.
Language changes all the time. Some words drop out of use and become archaic or obsolete.
New words join the language to meet new needs.
Because Google is one of the largest and most used search engines on the internet, we started using the word google as a verb to refer to researching or looking up information online.
"I googled it."
"You can google it anytime you like."
"Just because he googled it doesn't mean it's true; it depends on how reliable the source of the information was."
In English grammar, we do not have "proper" verbs.
What you're really asking is, "can the word google be correctly used as a verb?"
The answer is yes.
Language changes all the time. Some words drop out of use and become archaic or obsolete.
New words join the language to meet new needs.
Because Google is one of the largest and most used search engines on the internet, we started using the word google as a verb to refer to researching or looking up information online.
"I googled it."
"You can google it anytime you like."
"Just because he googled it doesn't mean it's true; it depends on how reliable the source of the information was."
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@ChipmunkErnie Most languages evolve and change over time, relatively slowly over generations.
Linguists decide every year which words have become so well used and accepted that they now deserve inclusion in a dictionary.
French is an exception because it has the Academie Française which officially controls what is permissible.
Linguists decide every year which words have become so well used and accepted that they now deserve inclusion in a dictionary.
French is an exception because it has the Academie Française which officially controls what is permissible.
ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M
@hartfire Always wondered how closely the everyday French person sticks to those rules.
@ChipmunkErnie True - but we still have rules of grammar which, even though very flexible, radically affect the meanings of sentences.
The flexibility allows English to be extremely precise and nuanced in expression, or deliberately ambiguous.
During my time in France I found that the average French person quite often used a foreign term (like "le weekend") when there was no French equivalent, but more educated people avoided foreign words, except occasionally in jest.
Most French academics say they prefer writing in English because it gives them far greater width and depth of meaning. Guarding the purity of a language comes at a cost.
The flexibility allows English to be extremely precise and nuanced in expression, or deliberately ambiguous.
During my time in France I found that the average French person quite often used a foreign term (like "le weekend") when there was no French equivalent, but more educated people avoided foreign words, except occasionally in jest.
Most French academics say they prefer writing in English because it gives them far greater width and depth of meaning. Guarding the purity of a language comes at a cost.
I will google it, is where Google is used as a verb..
Sidewinder · 36-40, M
Googol is a name for a large number, written as 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.
Thanks everyone. Your answers are as diverse as what I found on the Google search. Some were interesting and some were amusing. Thanks again!
ProfessorPlum77 · 70-79, MVIP
It started out as a noun, but many people use it as a verb.
Similar to the word "fool," and many others. "Don't act like a fool." "I don't want to fool with it at the moment."
Similar to the word "fool," and many others. "Don't act like a fool." "I don't want to fool with it at the moment."
ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M
Oddly, a few hours after first seeing this I came across a meme using a capitalized "Google" as a verb. ;)
Convivial · 26-30, F
@ChipmunkErnie that doesn't make it a proper verb lol, just poor grammar😜
Carissimi · F
I think that by virtue of its common use “to Google,” that it’s probably a verb as well as a noun.
Yes. It's a modern verb for internet searching .. regardless of what browser you use
Convivial · 26-30, F
It can even be an infinitive verb we can split... To boldly Google!
ABCDEF7 · M
As per Google, the word "Google" and "Googling" both are verb.
eMortal · M
I just googled it. Yes, it is. 😂
Ynotisay · M
it actually is a verb.
MarkPaul · 26-30, M
Improper
DDonde · 31-35, M
According to urban dictionary