For writers and editors ONLY . . .

[Russ H]

If you love the English language, you'll adore this link:

Franklin's Grammar Cheat Sheet

Deals with common mistakes and misuses of language.

Well worth the long read, if you're a writer.

(and probably pretty boring, if you're not!! You were warned!!!)

-Russ H.

 

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[yveskleinsky]

I love it! ++rep

 

[Russ H]

My fave pet peeve is "irregardless".

It's actually used by so many people in the media that, like "impacted", it may be put into the dictionaries soon.

Blech!

-Russ H.

 

[Yankees338]

I'm sure I make mistakes quite often because I never proofread my writing, but it really pisses me off when I see these types of mistakes. Its (I mean "it's") so hard not to point out these mistakes.

 

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[Russ H]

"What learnings came out of that long discussion?"...

Yeesh.

-Russ H.

 

[Diane Kennedy]

One of my favorite books is "Eats Shoots and Leaves."

The title comes from a joke based on a real-life reference book.

Here's the joke:

Panda walks into the library, eats some lunch and then shoots everybody. As he's leaving, one of his victims who is barely alive, asks "Why?" The panda says, "Look in the book. You'll see."

Sure enough, in the reference book it describes the panda as a mammal that "Eats, shoots and leaves."

Get it? The comma changed the meaning.

The only problem with the book for an American writer is that it is British and thus has some conventions we don't use in the US.

The bane of my existence is principal and principle. I think I get that wrong more than I get it right.

 

[Russ H]

The bane of my existence is principal and principle. I think I get that wrong more than I get it right.

For me, it's further and farther.

It's like a word you misspell once, and then spend the rest of your life guessing which is which. :smx4:

Fun, though. I have to admit, this is partly why I've gotten so much press in the past. I love language-- and I have yet to find an editor that doesn't enjoy talking about this for a bit!

-Russ H.

 

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[Banthaman]

I don’t feign to show my prose as perfection, but I know for a fact I would be lost without spell check.

 

[Merkin Man]

My fave pet peeve is "irregardless".

It's actually used by so many people in the media that, like "impacted", it may be put into the dictionaries soon.

Blech!

-Russ H.

Nails on a chalk board, Russ!!! Nails I tell you!!!

I think I vented about this in the past:

http://www.thefastlanetomillions.co...-choosing-great-website-colors.html#post36663

A couple of weeks ago a girl I work who I am good friends with was venting over her recent break-up with her now ex-boyfriend. The good listener I am, I took it all in. That is, until she threw out an "irregardless" at me.

I stared at her - she must have felt the anger in me brewing...

- "What is it, Andy?" she asked sheepishly.

- "Did you just say 'irregardless' to me?" I asked with a growing sense of need to correct.

- "Uh, yes. Why? What is wrong with that?" she asked seemingly puzzled.

- "Nothing. So, you were saying?" I couldn't get into it w/ her. Although did I ever want to!!! I didn't feel grammar correction was something she was open to at that given moment.

As for further and farther, I once got into a heated discussion w/ a co-worker of mine over the proper uses of these two words.

There was a Toyota commercial where a voice whispered "Go Farther." He was convinced the voice should have said "Go Further." I argued that "farther" is more a distance thing - greater than "far" if he wanted to simplify it.

He and his Masters Degree just wouldn't back down. We went back and forth on it for hours. We knew a dictionary would set the record straight, but until we looked up the words, he wouldn't back down. Finally, after a consultation w/ Webster's, he conceded.

The English Major that he was, he is still wiping pie off his face for that one.:icon_super:

Andy

edit: I just read through the entire page. Great stuff.

 

[andviv]

Than and Then. I got distracted when I am reading and find the wrong one in the wrong place. If I see this mistake more than once then I get really distracted.

Lose and Loose have been confusing for me. I think the explanation on that page should help me lot.

Another I struggle with is the use of In/On/At
I know why I struggle with them because my first language does not make a distinction on them so I really don't get all the time which one to use where.

Good thread.

 

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[kimberland]

You know, I hear these discussions all the time.
The thing is...
the purpose of language is to communicate
so if the masses use a word incorrectly,
it is no longer being used incorrectly.

Take learnings as an example.
I now consider that a word
(for my business based romances)
because I hear it used daily in corporate
and EVERYONE knows what it means.

Oh, and throw in regional differences.
I sell most of my novels to Americans
so I use American spelling.
We all know that isn't correct
(since we don't call it speaking American)
yet I use it because
I'll get flamed by angry readers if I don't
(lord forbid, I use an extra vowel).

 

[Allthingznew]

Reading Craigs list can drive me up the wall when people try to write the words they're likely only heard.

Rod iron table
Latter back chair

Reminds me of when I was a kid and my mom would be done with me asking for some thing and she would say "I said no and that's final!"

Then I'd go outside and play house with my friends, and pretend to tell my kid no by saying "I said no and that's vinyl!"

 

[Russ H]

John Prine (the singer songwriter) loves language.

Most songwriters and poets do.

His concerts typically include stories about how a song was named, or some special relevance it has for him.

Two examples:

1. He wrote a song called "The Trials of Memphisto", about the fictional devil Mephisto. When a friend told him about the error, he loved it-- and kept the name (he's a southern boy). And he announces this song with this story-- just to let you know he made the mistake, but kept it.

2. He had a gal request "The Happy Enchilada Song" at one of his concerts. This confused him, as he'd written songs about all kinds of things--- but no enchiladas. Thinking it was someone else's song, he asked her how it went. She said, "You know, "It's a happy enchilada and you think you're gonna drown." He recognized the melody-- it was from a song he wrote called "Thats The Way The World Go's Round". The lyric goes: "It's a half an inch of water, and you think you're gonna drown."

So now, in concert, he tells this story, and then sings a chorus with the happy enchilada lyrics.

Ya gotta love that. :smx2:

-Russ H.

 

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[Jonleehacker]

John Prine (the singer songwriter) loves language.

:eusa_clap:

I knew there was a reason I liked you Russ.

I was the biggest JP fan ever. Have seen him live many times (was even lucky enough to see him with Steve Goodman a few times, and once with Iris Dement), he really is a genius with words. Never thought I'd see his name come up on this board.

Another under appreciated musician who is a lyrical master is Loudon Wainwright III

 

[kimberland]

LOL Russ.

I suffer from chronic lyricosis myself.
Thank goodness,
many song lyrics are online.

I just got a glowing review for my first novel
from a very happy reader.
The issue?
She is convinced my modern day venture capitalist hero
is a Duke.
Yep.
I don't know where she got that tidbit from.
The rest of her 'review' was spot on
but I guess in her mind, he was a Duke.

I'm not going to make a fuss.
If she likes the book more
because she thinks he's a Duke,
so be it.

 

[Allthingznew]

I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin.
I see bad times today.

Chorus:
Dont go around tonight,
Well, its bound to take your life,
Theres a bathroom on the right.

 

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