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.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, February 13, 2012
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!
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!
Monday, February 6, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Make Me a Preposition I Can't Refuse
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
(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 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.
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