The Grammar Thread (updated)

[doodlenyc]

love this thread!

I always think of bad grammar as a pet peeve, therefore making it less legitimate, like littering, spitting, etc.

Two of my very off topic favorites are "safety deposit box" and valentimes day...but my VERY fave is "could care less."

What is worse is that you cannot convince people that they are incorrect about these.

Thanks, Matt, for posting this in the first place and all those who bumped!

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

[RobbO]

is that posted in your bedroom, somms?

[Kringas]

I'd like to know when and why the word "addictive" was replaced with "addicting."

And why people can't seem to see the difference between "lose" and "loose."

[Allie]

What about CDs vs. CD's? PMs vs. PM's?

[smartpenguin78]

Rule 10. Using an apostrophe to show plurals of numbers, letters, and figures is optional.
Examples:
She consulted with three M.D.'s.
OR
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

She talked to three doctors.

[Kitzarina]

I love SOMMS--so concise

[Kringas]

Sadly, some will write the sentence "She talked to three doctor's."

[smartpenguin78]

I just copied and pasted the example they had in the "grammar blue book."

It works better with cds or cd's as the example.

[papalovesmambo]

sadly, some will write the sentence "she talked to three doctor's."

unt, zen vee vill haff to shoot zem.

[Kringas]

It would be a pleasure. Bad grammar, spelling and syntax are offenses that should be punishable by death.

[kissmycookie]

The Lord High Executioner

[Calvin]

He's got a little list.

[MatthewAddison]

If Liam ever owned a restaurant...
Engrish.com

[Musical_nerd]

And may none of them be missed.

[peach]

The misuse of the apostrophe drives me insane!

The one that really gets me is the misuse of the word myself. Oft found in corporate America is the e-mail (from the otherwise intelligent professional) ending with: "If you have any questions, please contact Bob or myself."

or

"Myself, yourself and himself will work on the business case." (OK, I'm exaggerating here).

Grrr.

[Kringas]

Amen, Peach. I think people think saying "myself" sounds fancier, when it really just sounds like bad grammar.

[Mister Matt]

RobbO - Every little bit helps. And if it doesn't, papa can shoot them.

Papa - Before you shoot, call the pygmy.

[kissmycookie]

Is English the only language that uses an apostrophe?

The "Who's Food's" post looks more like a poor translation than actual bad grammar.

[Kringas]

Other languages use them (French comes to mind), but English might be the only one that uses an apostrophe to show possession.

Another pet peeve - Using "whenever" when one means "when."

[DayDreamer]

CapitOl vs. CapitAl

[Calvin]

Pluralizing stores bothers me.

I'm going to Krogers. To JC Penneys. Or the worst -- to the Wal-Marts. Southerners are bad about that.

[kissmycookie]

Oops. Kringas, you just clarified what I meant to ask. In terms of English being possibly the only language using the apostrophe to show possession.

[DayDreamer]

It's Nordstrom, not Nordstroms. Even people in Seattle say Nordstroms. *sigh*