This is from a real estate company's e-mail:
(Mr. Smith) closed the following transactions between 5/19/2011 to 6/23/11.
I would prefer consistency in the writing of years, but my main concern with this message is something I see fairly often. "Between" should be followed by "and," or the dates can also be expressed as "from - to." If, in this example, the dates 5/19 and 6/23 are included, the best wording is " . . . following transactions from 5/19/2011 to 6/23/2011." Just remember, between - and or from - to. You'll find that it sounds more natural and accurate.
Until next Monday,
Gramma
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Erratica
I took a picture of two signs posted on the back of one school bus in Illinois. We had started to move again, and the picture isn't clear enough to share with you. They said,
To report erratic driving, call 1-800-xxx-xxxx.
To report eratic driving, call 1-800-xxx-xxxx.
Unfortunately, there was no number available to report erratic spelling. You guessed it - the correct spelling is "erratic." Drive and spell carefully, but not at the same time.
To report erratic driving, call 1-800-xxx-xxxx.
To report eratic driving, call 1-800-xxx-xxxx.
Unfortunately, there was no number available to report erratic spelling. You guessed it - the correct spelling is "erratic." Drive and spell carefully, but not at the same time.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Gravel Speak
I would have saved this subject for a later post, but the Today Show on NBC brought the issue to light a few weeks ago, so I'll add my one cent's worth. The guest described a speaking style that was called "Vocal Fry." I noticed the style two or three years ago and named it "Gravel Speak," based on the gritty, gravelly sound emanating from the users.
Why do I find Gravel Speak or Vocal Fry annoying? I think it is because it is affected, or phony, speech. My observation is that it is the aftermath to the Valley Girl speaking style of some decades ago. When forced to listen, I hear the superiority-based ennui of sophisticated dowagers of days gone by. Today, however, it is more often the parlance of lazy or artificial young people that falls on my innocent ears.
We can only hope that this fried grits speech does not spread further, and that those so afflicted will heal soon. Whether the aforementioned speakers are on radio or television or hanging out at the mall, I hope they will drink hot tea with honey and lemon, eat chicken soup, and soothe those cords into vocal silk.
Why do I find Gravel Speak or Vocal Fry annoying? I think it is because it is affected, or phony, speech. My observation is that it is the aftermath to the Valley Girl speaking style of some decades ago. When forced to listen, I hear the superiority-based ennui of sophisticated dowagers of days gone by. Today, however, it is more often the parlance of lazy or artificial young people that falls on my innocent ears.
We can only hope that this fried grits speech does not spread further, and that those so afflicted will heal soon. Whether the aforementioned speakers are on radio or television or hanging out at the mall, I hope they will drink hot tea with honey and lemon, eat chicken soup, and soothe those cords into vocal silk.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Who or What Is Gramma's?
Gramma's is the name of my new blog featuring grammar, spelling, typos, the spoken word, and anything related to communication. The fact that I am an older woman interested in grammar made the name a good fit.
The purpose of the blog is to entertain or educate while making readers think about the English language. My goal is to present an idea each week based on something I have seen in newspapers, heard on the radio, or gleaned from other sources. As I learned in a business English class, errors are "noise" that distract the reader from the message.
Admittedly, the closest I have come to reading blogs is watching the movie Julie and Julia, and I realize that there could be many people doing what I am doing. At least I can't be accused of copying something I haven't seen, and all of my ideas will be original or will include references to other sources.
I do not claim to be an English expert. In fact, I was a foreign language major in college, and I guarantee you that I have made and will make mistakes in English. I am, however, occasionally annoyed or mildly shocked by things I see and hear, and I would like to share these things with you. I believe that we can combine traditional language rules with the inevitable use of modern technology to communicate with one another.
Next Monday I will share an example of written or spoken issues, and, if appropriate, I will address the error and suggest a correction or alternative. Until then, have a great week. And to quote my late grandma, "Do your best, your very best, and do it every day."
The purpose of the blog is to entertain or educate while making readers think about the English language. My goal is to present an idea each week based on something I have seen in newspapers, heard on the radio, or gleaned from other sources. As I learned in a business English class, errors are "noise" that distract the reader from the message.
Admittedly, the closest I have come to reading blogs is watching the movie Julie and Julia, and I realize that there could be many people doing what I am doing. At least I can't be accused of copying something I haven't seen, and all of my ideas will be original or will include references to other sources.
I do not claim to be an English expert. In fact, I was a foreign language major in college, and I guarantee you that I have made and will make mistakes in English. I am, however, occasionally annoyed or mildly shocked by things I see and hear, and I would like to share these things with you. I believe that we can combine traditional language rules with the inevitable use of modern technology to communicate with one another.
Next Monday I will share an example of written or spoken issues, and, if appropriate, I will address the error and suggest a correction or alternative. Until then, have a great week. And to quote my late grandma, "Do your best, your very best, and do it every day."
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