New FFF.net Grammar Brigade...join here!
POSTED BY: Caite
UPDATED: Monday, April 18, 2005 11:22
VIEWED: 17257
PAGE 4 of 7
May I jump in?
Thanks, I'll take that as a given that I can. Easily enough this could be stated the other way around; I can jump into the grammar thread because it's implied that I may.
A very good friend of mine is an editor and writer, and since knowing her I take greater pains now than ever to mind my writing skills. Although I find something new nearly every day that I've done wrong! Poor grammar, spelling and editing have always made me cringe like nails on a chalkboard.
Hmm, pet peeves: as a sometimes writer for a local independant Pagan newspaper I groan and shudder when I run across "alter" for "altar". One is a change, the other is a sacred space.
Signage and advertisments that are misspelled. People, dictionaries aren't expensive and they might just keep you from looking like a dumb-ass. One of my favorites: our little community college advertised for a "Heed Secritary" job opening. Obviously they really needed one.
Thirdly, well while I really think that it is wonderful that the internet is getting people to *write* more, it is also breeding junky, sloppy, and lazy writing habits.
Now please, in all seriousness, edit me!
Japanese Windows error msg:
Screen.
Mind.
Both are Blank.
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Just remembered; I also hate it when people can't use superlatives properly. I actually heard someone say "worster" once.
Knibbet: I love semicolons; they rock my world. 
"Invader's blood marches through my veins like giant radioactive rubber pants. The pants command me! Do not ignore my veins!"
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Quote:
Originally posted by CALLMEATH:
...."I could care less" Is the extra "n't" really that hard to say?....
I second this one! It drives me crazy every time I hear or read it, which is quite common.
Another pet peeve is when people say irregardless. I'm amazed every time I hear it used!
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The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason!
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The thing that annoys me most is using commas instead of full stops. People often lump multiple things into one long sentence when two would be better. I think it's a case of typing like you talk.
I agree with most of the complaints but I think being clear and understandable is more important than being grammatically correct. People complain about split infinives and misuse of who/whom but I have not seen a case where breaking those rules makes a sentence ambiguous or harder to understand. Also, on the Internet, you have to be tolerant of mistakes because english is not everyone's first language.
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Just gotta throw another one in for good measure. (yes I know "gotta" is wrong, but I like it *grin*)
A book, article, song, whatever is TITLED. I'm so sick of hearing, "Have you read the book entitled XYZ."
AAAAAAARGGGGGH! They are not alive!!!! They are not ENTITLED to ANYTHING.
Whew. That felt good. Lemonade, anyone?
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I live in Texas so i could fill this thread.
One is pronunciation...
short-lived and long-lived rhyme with hive...
The pronunciation is etymologically correct since the compound is derived from the noun life, rather than from the verb live.
The next is grammar hell.
"Where are you located at?
I wish i could strike the word 'like' from the english language...challenged a co-worker to speak without using the word 'like'...she couldn't complete a sentence without using it 3 or 4 times..sad.
Here is a truly great site...
http://www.worldwidewords.org
Shouldn't we have a slogan or mantra?
"Haven't you killed me enough for one day ?"
- Mal, War Stories
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We in the colonies call full stops periods...
England and America-two countries separated by a common language
"Haven't you killed me enough for one day ?"
- Mal, War Stories
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Quote:Never mind those crazy people who use "alright" instead of "all right"....
Originally posted by CALLMEATH:
I liked this better when everyone was just listing their grammatical pet peeves, not arguing over whether or not people are allowed to mess with the language. However, as there are billions of people who speak English, some sort of standard must be maintained. I mean, it took me two weeks to find out what "krunk" meant. I sometimes think that half of the population will soon speak in nothing but slang, while the other half will speak perfect english, with neither side understanding the other.
Alright, enough babbling. Here are some of my pet peeves:
(I have many grammatical pet peeves, the worst of which is people who end sentences with "so"....)Language is a living thing, constantly changing as time goes by. The way we speak now would be considered slang years ago. So while I find some slang incredibly annoying, I try not to begrudge it its place in the language.
Regarding spoken versus written word, whenever I read posts on boards like this, I'm not expecting to read a thesis on any given subject. I'm expecting to read your thoughts; what you would have said were I there to hear it. The point is communication, and grammar gots nuthin to do with that. Unless there actually is something on "your back"....
Now I have a question for you grammar fiends: What is the proper use of punctuation around quotation marks? I thought I used to know, but I'm now certain I've forgotten. When writing a standard sentence and using a word, phrase, or title in quotations, where do you put the punctuation - inside or outside of the quotes? Or does it depend?
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You put punctuation inside quotation marks...always 
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