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Alot vs. A lot: 9 Language Crimes to Watch Out For
Dictionary.com ^
| 24 October 2013
| Dictionary.com
Posted on 10/24/2013 10:50:34 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
Irregardless
Irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements, ir- and -less. Irregardless first appeared in the early 20th century and was perhaps popularized by its use in a comic radio program from the 1930s. Use regardless to keep your grammar-loving friends at bay.
Thusly
Because both thus and thusly are adverbs, language aficionados find thusly unnecessary. The Chicago Manual of Style discourages the use of thusly altogether. For copyeditors, spotting the word thusly has a cringe-inducing effect similar to hearing fingernails on a chalkboard.
Everyday
Be careful when using everyday. As one word it's adjectival; spelled out as two words, every day is adverbial. If you remember to do your everyday chores every day, your grammar-savvy roommates will appreciate you.
Anyways
While it's commonly used in speech and writing, anyways is nonstandard. Always drop the "s" and opt for the standard anyway to impress the language fanatics in your social networks. In a world of 140-letter tweets, that one saved character is valuable real estate.
Literally
The Internet is literally full of critics of the figurative use of literally. While employing this metaphorical usage might make many casual language lovers' ears bleed, descriptivist lexicographers will hail you as a language innovator. Our advice: be self-aware. Know that if you use literally figuratively, it will sound horrible to some, and perfectly acceptable to others.
Alot
Alot is a frequent misspelling of a lot. As many middle school English teachers constantly remind their students, "A lot is a lot of words." So make your old English teacher proud.
Alright
As an informal variant of all right, alright is perfectly acceptable. The popular song and album "The Kids Are Alright" by The Who is evidence of general acceptance of alright. However, note that the creators of the 2010 film The Kids are All Right couldn't bring themselves to use the informal variant even if the title was a clear nod to The Who.
Fewer
Confusion of the terms fewer and less will set off alarms in the heads of language enthusiasts. Fewer is only to be used when discussing countable things, while less is generally used for singular mass nouns. For example, you can have less salt, money, honesty, or love, but fewer ingredients, dollars, people, or puppies.
Hopefully
Self-described language buffs might explode with untamed rage if they hear hopefully used as a sentence modifier as in "Hopefully, it won't rain tomorrow." However, since the 1930s, this sense has been folded into acceptable usage. That said, it's important to understand the extreme reaction you might provoke if you use this common sentence starter. If someone gives you guff, just refer them to Dictionary.com's excellent usage note at hopefully. Crisis averted.
TOPICS: Books/Literature; Reference
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To: COBOL2Java
Some times it shows a greater command of language to simply say nothing at all.
41
posted on
10/24/2013 11:38:08 AM PDT
by
John 3_19-21
(Don't like Gramnesty? Support Lee Bright www.brightforsenate.com/)
To: Mears
One that I keep correcting is the confusion between “then” and “than”.
Original: “...and preferred each other’s company more so then normal.”
42
posted on
10/24/2013 11:38:35 AM PDT
by
COBOL2Java
(I'm a Christian, pro-life, pro-gun, Reaganite. The GOP hates me. Why should I vote for them?)
To: SeaHawkFan
43
posted on
10/24/2013 11:40:16 AM PDT
by
NautiNurse
(Obama sends U.S. Marines to pick up his dog & basketballs. Benghazi? Nope.)
To: Resolute Conservative
I prefer anyhoo... I think Bob and Ray popularized that expression...
44
posted on
10/24/2013 11:41:45 AM PDT
by
COBOL2Java
(I'm a Christian, pro-life, pro-gun, Reaganite. The GOP hates me. Why should I vote for them?)
To: COBOL2Java
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you... the "Leader of the Free World":
"Nobody's madder than me about the fact that the website isn't working as well as it should, which means it's going to get fixed."
Pathetic.
45
posted on
10/24/2013 11:42:28 AM PDT
by
Rodamala
To: Revolting cat!
“Even though it is proactive, I doubt this will have the desired affect.”
Yeah, we all should be lead by lists like this one to write better. Its important, alright.
To: Rodamala
Grammar: check
Spelling: check
Wrong thread. Fail.
47
posted on
10/24/2013 11:45:20 AM PDT
by
NautiNurse
(Obama sends U.S. Marines to pick up his dog & basketballs. Benghazi? Nope.)
To: SeaHawkFan
To: NautiNurse
49
posted on
10/24/2013 11:56:41 AM PDT
by
Rodamala
To: NautiNurse
Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.
Winston Churchill
50
posted on
10/24/2013 12:01:40 PM PDT
by
mc5cents
(Pray for America)
To: SeaHawkFan
Is it yall or yall? It's "y'all" - the apostrophe stands in place of the deleted letters. See - perfectly clear now, ain't it?
51
posted on
10/24/2013 12:03:26 PM PDT
by
Charles Martel
(Endeavor to persevere...)
To: Revolting cat!
>> Im sure a lot of posters here could care less!
Could, would, or nothing at all?
52
posted on
10/24/2013 12:05:52 PM PDT
by
Gene Eric
(Don't be a statist!)
To: GeronL
“Anyways” is poor grammar and language. If you deal with non-English speakers it confuses the crap out of them. Don;t use it unless you want to sound like a babbling 13 year old girl.
53
posted on
10/24/2013 12:09:25 PM PDT
by
gr8eman
(Bandying nice with wannabe commies is over! You're either for freedom or you're not!)
To: Bob
>> “ An event cant be called annual until it occurs a second time, one year after the inaugural event.” <<
.
But, referring back to it at a later date it would be correct.
54
posted on
10/24/2013 12:23:16 PM PDT
by
editor-surveyor
(Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
To: COBOL2Java
Alot vs. A lot: 9 Language Crimes to Watch Out ForAs in ending a sentence in a preposition. ...g.
55
posted on
10/24/2013 12:23:29 PM PDT
by
Vinnie
To: Salvey
Was your wisdom tooth impacted, or affected, or both?
56
posted on
10/24/2013 12:25:13 PM PDT
by
editor-surveyor
(Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
To: a fool in paradise
Don't fret a Lott. A lot.
My fave Lott. A lot.
57
posted on
10/24/2013 12:30:13 PM PDT
by
Daffynition
(*$17,000,000,000,000*)
To: gr8eman
58
posted on
10/24/2013 12:33:32 PM PDT
by
GeronL
To: Charles Martel
There are alot tons more than 9!
59
posted on
10/24/2013 12:35:50 PM PDT
by
publius911
(Look for the Union label, then buy something else.)
To: COBOL2Java
Then you've defiantly seen your share of misspellings, et all, on the Fanfiction site everyday .....
60
posted on
10/24/2013 12:43:36 PM PDT
by
mikrofon
(WFTD Bump)
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