I can’t help it – it just makes my skin crawl to see certain errors, like “between you and I” and “this program has it’s own spellchecker.” It’s one thing for non-native speakers to make these kinds of mistakes and for the occasional typo to slip through, but writing (and speaking) well really isn’t that difficult. Though I’m not an English teacher, I’ve always had a certain knack for grammar and spelling, and I hope that my English site can help cut down on obvious mistakes.
Topics: English language
12 thoughts on “English Mistakes”
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I totally agree! THERE are
many things that THEIR English teacher didn’t stress, so THEY’RE going to have to learn some
things on THEIR own. I think another thing that is compounding the problem is the
abbreivations that are used in e-mails, such as “How R U 2day?” Just because we have always
spoken English as our native language doesn’t mean that we speak it correctly. It is
something we need to keep working on. Practicing the correct expressions make them a part of
our normal vocabulary.
It’s somewhat alarming how
many native English speakers do not use correct grammar. Just this morning I read an email
containing the phrase “to you and I.” Why don’t people understand objective pronouns?
I’m born and bred English
(although I live in France now) and the problem with “Between you and I” is that it has such a
long ancestry – Shakespeare, Pepys, Dickens (even if they were using it as colloquial speech by
characters) – plus it is commonly spoken by so many in England, that I doubt that even the best
teachers will eradicate it. Those who need to change their speech, are not those who read
much, except The Sun (note the short precise sentences) , and they certainly wouldn’t be
reading this blog. Shame !
Is it any wonder that so many kids in England have such a
problem with reading and writing correct English, when the language they have learned at home
from their parents is so very different.
Between you and I me thinks
there’s a lot worse things in this world to worry about than grammar. In fact I enjoy
particularly bad grammar.
The phrase that annoys me the
most is “I could care less” when the person speaking means “I couldn’t care less”. The former
example means that they care, and the latter example is what they are trying to say when they
have no interest. I keep seeing this error in print and hearing on the radio and TV in addition
to just general conversation. It is becoming an accepted phrase when the meaning is opposite of
the what is desired.
The “between you and I” error
is rampent on TV sports broadcasts. I requirement to do color analysis on ESPN is a failing
grade in English grammar. The other “joy” to hear is “basically.”
Don
Michelle Says:
May 12th, 2006 at 6:31 pm e
This is in response to
your post about grammar and such! You may enjoy “Eats, Shoots and Leaves†by Lynne Truss.
It’s fabulous and quite entertaining.
(Moved from another discussion.)
Hallelujah! At last, someone
who shares my irritation (or perhaps it should be total impatience) with grammatical errors by
those who should know better (Like high school graduate!) A bit off the topic, but I am
continually offended by lazy pronunciation by those in broadcasting, (particularly Katie
Couric) who constantly say “gonna” and “wanna.” For what these people get paid you would think
they could at least SPEAK English.
I agree! As a French teacher who is
particularly interested in linguistics, it’s amazing the things kids (and adults) say on a
daily basis…I am forever correcting my students’ use of BOTH languages, English and French!
One thing in particular bugs me: I live in the Adirondack region of New York, north of Albany,
and there is a ‘regionalism’ that I can’t stand. People here say phrases such as: “So
didn’t I” or “So can’t I” (instead of: “So do I” / “So can I”, etc.) — they add the
negative when it isn’t necessary. Anyone else ever heard of this? It drives me crazy!!!
Meh, enough with the prescriptivism and more power to
linguistic tolerance. As long as people understand each other, let it roll, just between you
and I.
I hope you do a lesson on good vs well, also.
It really annoys me when I hear not only students using it incorrectly, but teachers too!
Another thing that is starting
to irritate me is the use of “amazing” when people merely mean “interesting” or “different”.
If you haven’t noticed it already – you will now!