Wordmeisters On The Prowl
Why am I not surprised that local libertarian, Godfrey Tudor- Matthews, responded to Dave Russo's earlier commentary in the Eureka Reporter on our misuse of written words? Probably because he sent a correction to me some years ago regarding a letter to the editor I had published. I believe I'd written "like I did last year", instead of "as I did last year".
I'll admit it drives me nuts when I see someone using their instead of there, or it's instead of its. But I make the same mistakes myself sometimes regardless of how many times I proofread.
Some of the things Godfrey points out I don't think I'll ever get right, just like what he caught me on in that letter to the editor .Hmm...should that be written just AS he caught me on?.
The phrase Godfrey uses for one example: “none of the people involved in the accident were injured”. That's supposed to be WAS injured, according to Godfrey. Doesn't sound right to me that way.
I'll never get stuff like that down. I guess I can only try to do my best.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:11 AM
18 comments
18 Comments:
I still am confused about when to use "who" and when to use "whom". "To whom it may concern", is a phrase that I can remember.
Funny you mention that. I was trying to start an e-mail to someone the other day and couldn't figure out if it should To who or whom it may concern.
Because both Fred and Rose are semi-literate and proud of it, I've got news.
Use "who"(nominative case) when its the subject of the sentence. Use "whom"(objective case) when its the object of the sentence.
Of course correct usage requires you to correctly parse a sentence, which you two obviously cannot. Your poor grammer reflects your abilities, academic attainments, and upbringing.
Gee, that was helpful.
Is it any wonder that there is such a dearth of interest in English grammar when such friendly people advocate its advancement?
It hardly matters as long as the idea is conveyed.
4:24 Would that be its or it's (twice, second paragraph)? Just wondering...
4:24 is looking mighty foolish, 'tis true...
Two Budist monks were on a journey, one young one old. At a rushing river they met a young woman, afraid to cross. Even though it's fobidden for the monks to have anything to do with the oppsite sex, the older monk offers to carry the young woman across the torent. Once across the monks went on their way. It became obvious the younger monk was distressed. The older monk asked if there was a problem. " I thought we were not to have anything to do with women " the young monk said. The old monk thought for a moment, then said " after carrying the young woman across the river I set her down on the river bank, it appears you have not".
Oops! Torrent not torent. Watch out! The Wordmeisters will get you!
Carol- little spelling 'mistakes' dont matter. But there is a more serious point to 'correcting' people.
If you surf the web much- you will notice a very disturbing trend
to spell like a crack-brained-10 year old. Part of dumbing us down.
Communication is important, and spelling can make all the difference.
Example: Do you care that your doctor knows how to spell?
If I see one more "Eye iz in yur puter...?" Im gonna lose it.
Just a rant, carry on.....
I make spelling mistakes often on the comment sections of blogs. Is there a technique to spell-check before publishing one's comment? The mouse right-click doesn't give that option.
I guese I could write my comments out first on the word processor (or is it processer?).
Oops, there I go again ... "guess" instead of "guese". Jeez.
A dearth of interest in grammar exists among only those who are ignorant of social standards. It is well established that people are evaluated by their speech. A person's grammar is indicative of their background, educational attainment and possibly intelligence.
Fred is interested in grammar, no doubt hoping to elevate his image beyond where it is rightfully placed. But his poor grammar will always be with him since it reflects his truly lowbrow nature.
Lazy or uncouth or ill bred people display their unenviable status in several ways, poor grammar being one of them.
A lack in interest in grammar shows good, common sense. Who would want to pursue a field which leads, in short measure, to a cul-de-sac which is populated by prune-faced, mean, educated-but-effete boors who wag their fingers disapprovingly at everyone who lacks enthusiasm for the subject?
It is likely that most of us would rather drink a beer with Fred and check out his flight-simulator game than drink single malt and discuss the subjunctive case with Anonymous.
I'd rather change the magneto on Fred's lawnmower than talk about language, and the sound of the mower would be easier on my ears.
"Your poor grammer..."
'Nuff said.
As a peace offering for my uncharacteristically harsh response, I'd like to buy Anonymous a drink, provided that the conversation does not require noun-verb agreement after the second round and the subject of declensions is never broached.
I think Rosso and Tudor need to step off their high horse and realize that ours is a world in which the art of writing well is not that important. I am not so well versed in things like dangling participles but I can tell you that these men have little better to do with their lives than drone on about how uneducated people are if they misplace an apostrophe. Get a life. Drop your crap at the door and let's talk about something real.
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