FR Grammar Pet Peeves (Shameless Vanity)

My Fertile Mind | 12/30/08 | Your Uncle Miltie

[Uncle Miltie]

I apologize for the shameless vanity, but I'm going to propose a thread for today: Your pet peeves about others' grammar on FR.

I'm not innocent. But, can we please use apostrophes for possessives and not use apostrophes for plurals?

Please chime in with your pet peeves.

Possessive Example:

Correct: My dog's bone is in the yard.

Incorrect: My dogs bone is in the yard.

Plural Example:

Correct: My dogs are in the yard.

Incorrect: My dog's are in the yard.

Admin Mod: Please move this thread as appropriate.

[Magic Fingers]

pus, not “puss”
wimp, not “whimp”

[SC DOC]

The misuse of fewer and less is so widespread that the grammatically incorrect has become grammatically acceptable. Case in point, signs in the grocery checkout that say "10 items or less". Items is a count noun and therefore should be "10 items or fewer". It may sound strange, because the incorrect version has been used for decades. Helpful Hints

[smartin]

This is hugh. I’m series. ;o)

[LanaTurnerOverdrive]

“Use to” instead of “used to.”

[Proud2BeRight]

Like dude uh you like uh cant expet uh us like to uh not bee uh like communicait like our uh President-elect and like uh celebrityz.

[swift15]

This thread is just to, two, too funny.

[Uncle Miltie]

I think 0bamessiahs in favor of syntaxes.

[DManA]

My pet Grammer peeve is Kelsey.

[autumnraine]

How about this for The Shortcomings Spellcheck

[Turret Gunner A20]

I am so bored with nitwits who do not know the difference between “advise” and “advice.”

The y dont u givem some advise on how to youse advice??

[Utah Binger]

That being said.....

Having said that....

Also always try to remember: spell checker, paragraphs and how to use links.

[RedDogzRule]

Incorrect: a whole nuther/nother
Correct: a whole other

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Pet peeve? MIne is whiny grammarians.

Around here, some posters are too young to know better, publik skool’s and all that, while some are too old to give a rat’s rump.

Then there are those of us who do it just to irritate you.

Oh yes, one more peeve is posts with inappropriate pictures of aesthetically compromised individuals. That helen thomas goblin for example.

[Paine in the Neck]

phenomenon - phenomena
medium - media
datum - data

[brownsfan]

I like that one. I don’t know where you stole it, but it’s been stolen again!

[Constitution Day]

As other people have posted, "looser" instead of "loser."

Some others that annoy me: "facist" when people mean "fascist" and "missle" for "missile."

Oh, and people that type in all lower case annoy me to no end.

It makes you look like you:

1. Are too lazy or dumb to reach the shift key,
2. Have an inferiority complex,
3. Are the reincarnation of E.E. Cummings,

or

4. Are all of the above.

[autumnraine]

I direct you to this wonderful website.

Stuff white people like #99
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/05/12/99-grammar/White people love rules. It explains why so they get upset when people cut in line, why they tip so religiously and why they become lawyers. But without a doubt, the rule system that white people love the most is grammar. It is in their blood not only to use perfect grammar but also to spend significant portions of time pointing out the errors of others.

When asking someone about their biggest annoyances in life, you might expect responses like “hunger,” “being poor,” or “getting shot.” If you ask a white person, the most common response will likely be “people who use ‘their’ when they mean ‘there.’ Maybe comma splices, I’m not sure but it’s definitely one of the two.”

If you wish to gain the respect of a white person, it’s probably a good idea that you find an obscure and debated grammar rule such as the “Oxford Comma” and take a firm stance on what you believe is correct. This is seen as more productive and forward thinking than simply stating your anger at the improper use of “it’s.

Another important thing to know is that when white people read magazines and books they are always looking for grammar and spelling mistakes. In fact, one of the greatest joys a white person can experience is to catch a grammar mistake in a major publication. Finding one allows a white person to believe that they are better than the writer and the publication since they would have caught the mistake. The more respected the publication, the greater the thrill. If a white person were to catch a mistake in The New Yorker, it would be a sufficient reason for a large party.

Though they reserve the harshest judgment for professional, do not assume that white people will cast a blind eye to your grammar mistakes in email and official documents. They will judge you and make a general assessment about your intelligence after the first infraction. Fortunately, this situation can be improved if you ask a white person to proof read your work before you send it out. “Hey Jill, I’m sorry to do this, but I have a business degree and I’m a terrible writer. Can you look this over for me?” This deft maneuver will allow the white person to feel as though their liberal arts degree has a purpose and allow you to do something more interesting.

Don’t worry, it is impossible for a white person to turn down the opportunity to proofread.

[kaylar]

Marshal/l law for martial law.

[sit-rep]

Please do!!

I’ve been around a while and this is a serious subject to a lot of folks here, and/or, used to be here. If they had their way, the forum would be segregated if you will.

My apologies if you posted this under humor. As said, I’ve seen a many posts like this, and not too many were meant to be funny by their authors...

[autumnraine]

DOH! Notice my “it’s”? Seriesly, ban me now.