Could of, what is
that? Did they mean could’ve (a
contraction of could have)?
·
Irregardless (even my computer doesn’t like this one, and
I will not be “adding it to the computer’s dictionary). Irregardless is not a word, the correct word
is REGARDLESS, it probably came from the words respective and
irrespective. I even had a colleague
that graduated college summa cum laude; argue with me saying “It is a word
because it is in the dictionary.” After I pointed out that the dictionary
defines the word as used in jest and/or “non-standard, use of regardless”, he
continued to use irregardless. The bad
news is people can add it to the dictionary on their computer- isn’t that
special!
Really? Unless
your ramblings are intentionally illiterate, you should never say or write, “Me
and my brother,” “Her and I,” “we was,” or “She don’t.” “But I often see “myself” instead of “me”.
Wrong: “She gave the book to John and myself”. Right:
“She gave the book to John and me”. If
John were gone, you’d say, “She gave the book to me”. Wouldn’t you?
I just read a book the other
day where the character said, “Me and my sister went shopping.” REALLY??
·
This next one
bothers me the most. Incidentses. This
is not a word. One event is an “incident.”
Two or more events are “Incidents” (add an “s” to make a plural). There
is no such word as “incidentses.” This
probably came from the words, instance and instances.
·
How about “Try
and” versus “Try to.” If you say try to
that then would be an effort at an attempt, the word “try” implies that someone
will make an attempt, “and” implies there will be success. I will try to hang this picture- an attempt
to hang the picture. I will try and hang
this picture, they will try to hang the picture and apparently they will hang
the picture.
·
This one is right
up there, literally- “I’m literally starving to death.” Do you really believe that?
Okay
enough already, let’s take a look at actual words that people can’t pronounce.
·
Sherbet
o
Correct
pronunciation: shur - bet
o
Incorrect
pronunciation: shur - bert
o
Correct
pronunciation: ess - presso
o
Incorrect
pronunciation: ex – presso
·
Athlete
o
Correct
pronunciation: ath - leet
o
Incorrect
pronunciation: ath - a – leet
Other
phrases and words that create consternation
·
For all intents
and purposes
o
Correct
pronunciation: For all intents and purposes
o
Incorrect
pronunciation: For all intensive purposes
·
Supposed to: Do not omit the d. Suppose to is incorrect.
·
Used to: Same as above. Do not write use to.
·
Toward: There is no s at the end of the word.
·
Anyway: Also has no ending s. Anyways is nonstandard.
·
Couldn't care less: Be sure to make it negative. (Not I could care
less.)
·
Farther / Further
·
Farther is
talking about a physical distance.
·
“How much farther
is Disney World, Daddy?”
·
Further is
talking about an extension of time or degree.
·
It’s a mute
point? Huh?? How about – “ It’s a moot
point. “
My pet –peave of
all?? ‘These ones’… omg…. One is
singular. Helllloooo. How can you have a plural singular? We hear this all the time and I’ve noticed
it’s our younger generation that doesn’t even seem to care if they speak
improper English. It saddens me. How about you? Rita
Well, and grammatically, said.
ReplyDeleteIncidence is another nice-try on incidents. Homophones are treacherous.
I do admit I have to look up further/farther every time.
My pettiest peeve is misusing decimate.
Oh... you are so right, Marva . . . and the further/farther is a bugger!
ReplyDeleteOne of my pet peeves is when someone doesn't know the correct word, so they make one up. For example, "conversate" instead of "converse".
ReplyDelete