Grammar and the Associated Press

[JCJRSmith]

It looks as if some writer or editor missed a few lessons in grade school. The following is from a story on the AP wire:

``It never should of happened,'' said McNabb, who has also been playing with a sports hernia.

It may seem minor to some, but it is one of my pet peeves.

 

[Daxx]

It looks as if some writer or editor missed a few lessons in grade school. The following is from a story on the AP wire:

``It never should of happened,'' said McNabb, who has also been playing with a sports hernia.

It may seem minor to some, but it is one of my pet peeves.

Sorry, but you're wrong. Why? B/c the AP is writer is quoting someone. You cannot change what someone says b/c what they've said is grammatically incorrect. You have to use their words!!!! If McNabb had said "They is one bad dudes", they'd have to print the quote as stated regardless of grammar.

It's not the AP using "should have" incorrectly, it's McNabb.

ETA -- if AP had changed "should of" to "should have", then they would be misquoting McNabb.

 

[JCJRSmith]

You're kidding, aren't you? If McNabb had said "it never should have happened" then that is the way it should have been written. There is no "should of" in the English language. It is "should've" - short for "should have."

There is no "should of" - it is "should've"
There is no "could of" - it is "could've"
There is no "would of" - it is would've"

 

[Daxx]

You're kidding, aren't you?

Uh no.

If McNabb had said "it never should have happened" then that is the way it should have been written.

Yes, but McNabb obviously didn't say "should have" b/c if he did, then that's what AP would have written as his quote. McNabb's quote was "it never should of happened". Therefore, he used the words "should of". If McNabb said "It never should of happened" and it's clear that he used the words "should" and "of" (as opposed to "should" and "have"), they're going to print exactly what he said b/c it's a direct quote. Obviously, it's McNabb who doesn't know proper English grammar!

There is no "should of" - it is "should've"
There is no "could of" - it is "could've"
There is no "would of" - it is would've"

No kidding - -why are you telling ME this ... go tell McNabb this -- he's the one who used improper English!

 

[Marseeya]

Uh no.

Yes, but McNabb obviously didn't say "never should" b/c if he did, then that's what AP would have written as his quote. McNabb's quote was "it never should of happened". If McNabb said "It never should of happened" and it's clear that he used the words "should" and "of" (as opposed to "should" and "have"), they're going to print exactly what he said b/c it's a direct quote. Obviously, it's McNabb who doesn't know proper English grammar!


No kidding - -why are you telling ME this ... go tell McNabb this -- he's the one who used improper English!

How can you tell the difference when someone's saying "should've" and "should of"? They sound exactly the same when they're said out loud!

It was clearly the writer's fault.

 

[JCJRSmith]

McNabb didn't say "should of." There is no "should of." It does not exist as a proper phrase in the English language. It may sound like "should of," but it is written "should've."

 

[Daxx]

How can you tell the difference when someone's saying "should've" and "should of"? They sound exactly the same when they're said out loud!

It was clearly the writer's fault.

You have a good point. However, if McNabb said each word distinctly, then you can tell. Even if he said "shoulda" they would have written it like that -or- they would have written it as should [have]. We don't know b/c we weren't there and we don't have the audio to discern. If the writer heard "should of" then, that is what he's going to write. Honestly, we weren't there, so it's anyone's guess. But, a good journalist would confirm the quote or double-check the audio.

 

[Daxx]

McNabb didn't say "should of." There is no "should of." It does not exist as a proper phrase in the English language. It may sound like "should of," but it is written "should've."

Were you there to hear what he said? If not, how do you know he didn't say "should of". A lot of people say "should of" and don't know there's a difference. I hear it on a daily basis from adults and kids alike.

While it may sound like should of ... if McNabb used the words should of, then that's what they're going to print. If someone said "youse guys" that's what they're going to print, even though "youse" isn't a word.

 

[Marseeya]

Were you there to hear what he said? If not, how do you know he didn't say "should of". A lot of people say "should of" and don't know there's a difference. I hear it on a daily basis from adults and kids alike.

Honestly, I've never heard enough of a pause between the syllables to be able to tell the difference. I've only ever seen this mistake in written form.