What’s on the iPod: Enter Sandman by Metallica
There are times I’m just thrilled I don’t have to commute anymore. Yesterday was one of those days. Thanks to a huge sewer main break in Valley Forge Park, traffic, which is usually a huge pain during rush hour, was an absolute nightmare. It was ironic that today’s song popping up on the iPod was Metallica — it was that kind of crazy. I took my husband to Starbucks and then to work, wondering the entire drive against the horrendous traffic what kind of special Hell it would be getting back home. Turns out not much. The madness had ended by 9:30.
Yesterday was nice in other ways, too–I had a fantastic conversation with an interview subject, which is going to help both articles in some form or another. It’s terrific when you come across an expert who loves his job and is well-spoken and not afraid of conversation. While that’s usually the case, yesterday’s interview subject hit all the right notes.
As I was taking a small survey yesterday, I saw it; a grammar mistake, and not one I’d mentioned in yesterday’s post. It occurred to me that there are so many more cases of Writers Constructing Badly. And since Sharon Hurley Hall loves these kinds of posts, I dedicate Part 2 to her. Enjoy, Sharon!
More grammar gaffes:
It’s/its. “It’s” is an abbreviation. “It is.” It’s a shame you don’t know her. For what it’s worth, I like green beans. It’s really hot outside. Its is possessive. The company tracks its stock performance. The groundhog sees its shadow. The gallery has announced its latest exhibit.
Apostrophe misuse. I cringe when I see apostrophes in the wrong place. This second grammar post in as many days is the result of seeing a misplaced apostrophe on the aforementioned survey. Typically, people will put an apostrophe in “its” as mentioned above. But I’ve seen apostrophes appear in words like “thanks”; “the Smiths”; “footballs”; “trees.” “Thanks” never takes an apostrophe. If it did, you’d be saying “Thank is.” The same with “The Smiths” except when you’re talking about something the Smiths own — “The Smiths’ driveway.” When in doubt, think “Am I adding ‘is’ here?”
Accept/Except: Cathy mentioned yesterday her father’s peeve — Affect/Effect. This one is similar. Accept is to take something that’s offered. I accept your proposal. Do you accept the terms of this loan? We accepted the invitation to the party. Except is excluding or other than, and apart from. I want all the apples except that one with the worm in it. I see no trace of the dog except for his tracks in the mud.
Who/Whom: Oh, this one is tough. The rules seem to change as advertisers try making their copy sound less stuffy. Who is always subject to a verb. Who painted my car door? Who do you think you are? Any writer who mixes these up is normal. Whom is the object. For whom does the bell toll? The children, two of whom are French, played hopscotch together.
Less/Fewer: This one gets to me. Less is a smaller amount of something. I have less money since I went shopping. The shirt costs 20 percent less than it did last week. I feel less inclined to help such a nasty person. Fewer indicates something you can actually count. I have fewer shoes now that I’ve cleaned the closet. Fewer people read newspapers these days. I worked fewer days last year than this year.
That/Which: Easy words to confuse. That is restricting something in the sentence. She drives a car that has a green license plate. I have ideas that can’t be printed. The house that has pink shutters is on my street. Which is used as a modifier, such as The car, which is over there in the ditch, has just a few scratches on it. When he sings, which is often, people stop to listen. It’s an idea, which is more than you have right now.
Regardless/Irregardless. One is a word. One is not. Or is it? Regardless means despite everything, anyway, or whatever. Regardless of your lack of manners, I will answer your question cordially. The lead was sick, but they decided to attend the play regardless. Irregardless is so badly misused that people claim it isn’t a word. Merriam-Webster states the word does exist. However, they discourage its use. Considered by M-W to be a blend of irrespective and regardless.
Literally/Figuratively. When I hear news people say “The crowd literally died laughing” I expect to see corpses. Literally means accurately, factually, and strictly meaning. Literally, it snowed for three days straight. I dropped my books, literally, in shock. The sky glowed literally during the Aurora Borealis. Figuratively means a resemblance, not actually. When I say I could have died, I meant figuratively. He was absorbed in the book, figuratively speaking.
Writers, are there any other grammar missteps you can think of?
What’s the worst you’ve seen?
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