Craigslist Crimes Against English

[DrGaellon]

My number one pet peeve is when people use "me" as the subject of the sentence. For example, "Me and DH are going to Disney in December." UGH!

My peeve is the converse of yours, the hypercorrect use of "and I." For instance, "The teacher asked he and I to work together." I always tell people to replace "he and I" with just "I" alone - if you'd say "me," then it's "me and him," as awkward as that sometimes sounds.

 

[kerplop]

The worst one I've seen lately is someone calling a certain situation "misfortunate". It's misfortunate they don't know the right word to use there.

 

[Cruellafan]

Here's an example of a verbal offense concerning direction that I hear all-too-often when I visit WDW: "Where's Space Mountain at?"
There are countless variations that people use when asking for directions, all ending with the offensive "at."

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

As my English Grammar professor once said, "Did you understand him?" Yes? Then it was correct.

That about sums it all up for me.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

As my English Grammar professor once said, "Did you understand him?" Yes? Then it was correct.

That about sums it all up for me.

What did this English Grammar professor teach? Obviously not grammar as there is no point.

 

[furb & dez]

Here's an example of a verbal offense concerning direction that I hear all-too-often when I visit WDW: "Where's Space Mountain at?"
There are countless variations that people use when asking for directions, all ending with the offensive "at."

This oft-quoted "offense" is not an offense against the language at all. It is perfectly acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition.

You can't apply Latin grammar rules to English.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

This oft-quoted "offense" is not an offense against the language at all. It is perfectly acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition.

You can't apply Latin grammar rules to English.

When did it become acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition. When I was in school I was taught that was not correct and I never took Latin.

I'm not sure who makes these rules in the first place, but it is interesting how they have evolved over time.

A word that has most definitely evolved is unique. Unique means one of a kind. How can something be more unique or very unique. There used to be a rule against that but it must be gone. Though unique is certainly overused.

 

[furb & dez]

When did it become acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition. When I was in school I was taught that was not correct and I never took Latin.

You probably heard this from your teacher, who, in their youth took Latin (as it was considered a core curriculum for many years). But again, Latin grammar does not apply to English.

 

[Cruellafan]

This oft-quoted "offense" is not an offense against the language at all. It is perfectly acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition.

You can't apply Latin grammar rules to English.

The purpose of prepositions, whether in English or Latin, is to introduce a phrase.

 

[Mrs. Bob Loblaw]

I've always been taught not to end a sentence with a preposition. How strange if it's not actually a rule. It sure has permeated our society.

 

[furb & dez]

I've always been taught not to end a sentence with a preposition. How strange if it's not actually a rule. It sure has permeated our society.

It's so omnipresent for the same reason as DrGaellon's quote below:

My peeve is the converse of yours, the hypercorrect use of "and I." For instance, "The teacher asked he and I to work together." I always tell people to replace "he and I" with just "I" alone - if you'd say "me," then it's "me and him," as awkward as that sometimes sounds.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

What did this English Grammar professor teach? Obviously not grammar as there is no point.

English grammar professor? He taught ummmm, let me see... ah yes. Grammar, as it pertains to the English language. At SU, so he was not an insignificant force in terms of communication. That is what the rules of grammar are all about; facilitating communication.

His point? If you can understand the person doing the communicating then it's fine. That doesn't mean that he didn't teach and lecture on the whole system of grammar including syntax; simply that he wasn't an arrogant snob.

I'll go with his point of view, thanks.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Sorry my sarcasm was missed. Yes I understand what a grammar professor would teach.

 

[wcpamotm]

When I studied writing, three things were particularly emphasized:

1). A preposition is a horrible thing to end a sentence with.
2). It is important to never split infinitives.
3). Never use a big word when a monosyllabic word will do.

 

[RAPstar]

I didn't know where else to post this, but I figured this would be the closes possible thread to the circumstance. I just called Lynx to ask them a couple of questions before I went out there. I asked the guy on the phone where their buses pick up at Downtown Disney, and I swear it sounded like he said they picked up by "Circus Filet". I was asking him a couple of other questions, but my head kept trying to figure out if I missed the news that Disney opened a circus themed steakhouse or something. As soon as I hung up the phone though, it hit me that he was trying to say Cirque du Soliel!!

 

[furb & dez]

When I studied writing, three things were particularly emphasized:

1). A preposition is a horrible thing to end a sentence with.
2). It is important to never split infinitives.
3). Never use a big word when a monosyllabic word will do.

Thank you for my weekend-starting laugh!!!

 

[vwlizard]

When I studied writing, three things were particularly emphasized:

1). A preposition is a horrible thing to end a sentence with.
2). It is important to never split infinitives.
3). Never use a big word when a monosyllabic word will do.

Check out #1 and #2 on this list
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/top-ten-grammar-myths.aspx

 

[greenkai3000]

I just don't understand when people can't tell the difference between...

You're and your, There, and they're, then and than, its, and it's, could've and could of...

HOWEVER it ticks me off when people text you, or send you an email asking you 'sup, wazzup, wassup, or any variation there of... AAAAAAAAAAARRRGH

 

[wcpamotm]

Check out #1 and #2 on this list
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/top-ten-grammar-myths.aspx

Oh yes, thanks for the reminder:

4) The passive voice is something that should always be avoided.

 

[jeanigor]

I just don't understand when people can't tell the difference between...

You're and your, There, and they're, then and than, its, and it's, could've and could of...

HOWEVER it ticks me off when people text you, or send you an email asking you 'sup, wazzup, wassup, or any variation there of... AAAAAAAAAAARRRGH

In addition, I would include the use of the board and bored. Sure they are homophones, but have you magically been turned into a piece of lumber or do you just have nothing to pass the time?