There, Their, Now

The following is from a reader comment in an Illinois newspaper:

     Tell them that there services will no longer be needed.

You likely noticed that "there" should have been "their."  "There" is an adverb, as in "Please put it over there."  It can also be other parts of speech, but we can deal with those later.  The referenced example needs the possessive adjective "their," showing whose services are not needed.

A similar word that can be misused is the contraction "they're,"  short for they are.  It is a combination of the subject "they" and the verb "are,"  and it is neither an adverb nor a possessive adjective. 

Although "there," "their," and "they're" are similar, they can never be used in place of each other.  Each has its own meaning and proper usage.

Who Put the "h" in the "Str . . . ?"

This has been increasing in the last few years, and I can think of famous people who might have popularized it.  To what am I referring?  I refer to the annoying extra "h" sound added to words with an initial or internal "str."  Listen to news broadcasts, interviews, and talk shows, and you will hear someone say "shtreet," "indushtrial shtrength," or "shtructure."  This could be another example of lazy speech or of ordinary people trying to emulate and relate to celebrities.  Is it really such a big deal?

No, it isn't a big deal, but it is bad enough that it will likely die out with other vocal fads.  Like gravel speak, it is the artificiality of the speech that is irritating.  After you listen to radio or television for examples, listen to yourself.  Be sure you don't sound shtrange or, heaven forbid, even a little shtupid.

Now and Than

Can you find the error in this Georgia newspaper ad?

     We would rather sell it for less then move it!

Do you have trouble differentiating between then and than?  Remember that then is often used as an adverb meaning "at that time" or "consequently," while than is a conjunction used after a comparative adjective or adverb.  In the ad, the writer is comparing the preference of selling for less to having to move the inventory.  It should read, "We would rather sell it for less than move it!"

Read this example using both words. 
    
     If you would rather go now than then, then you should get ready now rather than later.

In this sentence you see a comparison, an adverb, a consequence, and a comparison.   It isn't a smoothly flowing sentence, but it clarifies the difference in usage between then and than.  If it is still confusing, look for examples in written material that you know has been proofread.  For even more entertainment, read a dictionary or grammar book!

Play Must of For Me

The following sentence is from a newspaper in the Chicago suburbs:

     Think how abused this poor animal must of felt.

When writing, we need to think about using the correct  words.  The spoken word might sound like more than one word, and we need to make sure that what is written makes sense.  The writer had to have been thinking "must've," and she should have written "must have" instead of "must of" to make it accurate.

We are all guilty sometimes of speaking before we think.  At least if we write before we think, we can correct it before anyone notices.