I love grammar. There is beauty in its order. A well-constructed sentence not only sings when it is read, but is beautiful to look at as well.
I realize not everyone feels this way; I am married to one who does not share my love of language or grammar (but he is very funny, so I keep him).
I will admit that I edit menus when I eat out. I am distracted by misspelled or misused words. I make these same mistakes myself and am mortified every time I realize what I’ve done. However, there are few things I never misuse and those are the items I want to write about today.
- Cannot is one word.
- A lot is two words.
- Irregardless is not a word at all. The correct word is regardless.
- The Oxford comma, contrary to what Toddled Dredge tells you, is essential.
- Lose means to misplace something; loose means something is too big.
- i.e., means "that is"; e.g., means "for example". They are not interchangeable. You must use a comma after both.
- Could have and would have are correct; could of and would of are not.
- It’s is a contraction of it is or it has; its means of or belonging to (possession).
- An ellipsis should only have three dots (…).
- You only need one exclamation mark!
Grammar works for me.
Please be sure to visit Rocks In My Dryer for the rest of the Works-For-Me Wednesday tips!
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this! Maybe I like it because I’m a teacher? And now for my favorite: “Anyways” is not a word!
You must teach me oh wise one the proper use of a semi colon and comma, and when to use to and too. I always have issues with those(these). Now I’m befuddled on a grammar post. EEK!
I love this! I love grammar in general, though. One of my dream careers is to be an editor at the New Yorker. That and be Sydney Bristow from the defunct TV show Alias, and be Gwen Stefani. Anyways…
I was almost afraid to write this comment. I am checking and rechecking my grammar. My aunt was my English teacher in high school and she drilled it into my head that a lot was two words never one! And I always talk it out when I am using its (it’s). One of her favorite sayings was, “When in doubt, get Noah out.” You know, the Webster’s dictionary. I love the post. Thank you for the reminders! See, I only used one exclamation mark.
Please don’t tell BooMama #10. I think it would devastate her!
Leslie
I love this! Yay on #4; I was starting to think there was something wrong with me. But I have to disagree with #10. I know you only need 1 exclamation point, but sometimes 2 is just a little bit more exciting…ha,ha!!
Definitely good points. I was told about not using exclamation points very often and I have to catch myself constantly online.
Thanks for the tips.
P.S. Great Blogroll. I am trying to get more organized so I know who to go read regularly. I like that you added descriptions of each one.
Hrumph. The Oxford comma, contrary to what Chilihead tells you, is not only purely optional, but usually clumsy and unnecessary.
A couple more:
1. It’s web site, not sight.
2. You pore over a book, you don’t pour.
It’s nice to see there are kindred spirits out here in blogland. Although, I would argue that on-line communication is a subtype of conventional written communication, in that writers are often simply “conversing” on paper, rather than attempting to write well.
I too, however, have to disagree with #4, for the same reasons as Toddled Dredge; the Oxford comma simply looks ugly and creates an unnecessary visual pause.
I proofread the newspaper every morning. Funny, since I make so many errors in grammer. Still, I can spot it in others.
As a tech writer/editor this kind of thing drives me nuts! Thanks for letting me know I am not the only one.
I’m a grammar nut too!
Thank you! I’m from the Netherlands and I learned English from the book and certified teachers, not my parents or anyone else. So when I came to the USA when I was 17 (in Southern Indiana, to be exact), I was astonished how few people speak and write correctly!
May I just add that “nother” is not a word?
“A whole nother” is just completely wrong, even if people say it all the time.
Milehimama: You are right. However, if you were to say, for example, “A whole other ball game.” that would be fine or you could say, “Another whole ballgame.” But they are both awkward, IMO.
Thank you so much for this post. The confusion between loose and lose out in the blogosphere drives me batty!
I didn’t know the whole i.e., and e.g., thing. What do you mean by that is?
Playful Professional: Example sentence: I.e., and e.g., are not interchangeable (i.e., don’t do it!). Does that make more sense? Or did I just completely confuse the issue?
Jean: TOO *always* means in addition or also. Any time you’re confused about whether to use ‘to’ or ‘too’, ask yourself if you can substitute ‘in addition’ or ‘also’. For example, I want to come too (also).
I love this too, and what a trip down memory lane about the serial comma. I make many, many grammar mistakes and the worst is the illegal use of ellipses. Lots people, myself included have begun to use them to indicate thinking. Like the reader would need to know that. Probably the literate reader would think you had fallen asleep on the period key.
We recently received an invitation to a seminar for volunteers, and it began with “Your Invited”. I kept my mouth shut and said nothing. I have to work with the guy (brainiac) who wrote the thing. However, I will cast no stones, but try to mend my own ways. Thank you for the reminder lesson for today. It is very helpful.
Well … Since I am a walking exclamation point and all … I think I’ll continue to use more than one exclamation mark when I’m really, really excited about something.
Sorry.
But thanks for all the rules, as I tend to miss-use them frequently, and sadly, lead many a reader to frustration!
I dearly love grammar too!
Ahem, I have been known to use a few too many exclamation points, however. It’s one of those quirky lovable things about me, I guess. (I hope!!!)
Loved this. I was forever getting bad marks for using Oxford commas when I was in school. I always protested that it was not wrong, incorrect, or bad grammar. However my English teacher was old, cranky and mean and wouldn’t consider my position.
Oddly, I enjoyed this post. It was informational. We mom’s need a good brush up on basics and I never knew what i.e., and e.g. exactly stood for!
Just for pointing out the difference between “lose” and “loose,” you are now my English grammar hero! It drives me nuts to see someone write, “when I loose weight.” Acccchhh! This is 3rd grade stuff, isn’t it?
I have to look up Oxford commas. I’ve never heard of them.
Want to know another cool trick? Here’s how to tell when to use “effect” and when to use “affect”:
Effect is a noun, a thing. You use the word ‘the’ with nouns–the dog, the cat, etc. If you can put a ‘the’ in front of it, the correct form is effect–just match up the “e”s! (You might need to reword the sentence in your head first.)
What is the effect of eating a gallon of ice cream in one sitting?
Affect is a verb. It’s a Action word. Just think “A for action” and you should get that one right every time, too!
I wonder how it will affect me if I eat this entire gallon of ice cream?
Keep pushing good grammer and correct spelling. It’s the little things that make quality of life!
This is just one of the reasons I like you so much. We are kindred grammar spirits.
I am a little intimidated to even write a comment. Ouch. Thanks for the great information. It is helpful to be reminded of the grammar lessons from our childhood. I am sorry to say I have forgotten some of what I learned. Please forgive us less educated. Can you help with the semi colon?
Yes yes yes. (I know that was grammatically incorrect.) Must disagree with the Oxford comma, however. We learned in school that it is incorrect to use both a comma as well as “and”. So there.
No words, just tears of purest joy. Please come and visit me so that we can go eat somewhere and proofread menus.
When I was on bed rest with my oldest child, I proofed our town’s newspaper and mailed it back to them every day. There was never so much as a note of thanks. Ingrates.
Grammar gets me excited too. My big pet peeve is when people use the word “then” when they should be using the word “than.”
Drives me bonkers.
Um, Ms. Chilihead? I respectfully submit that I was taught that an ellipsis in the middle of a sentence has 3 periods, but if I am just trailing off at the end of the sentence, to imply some sort of ethereal quest, it would have 4. The 4th is the period at the end of the sentence.
I’ll be will to bet, that the name of my blog made you crazy. (It Coulda’ Been Worse) In your honor, I hereby change it. Well. I did it anyways, (just messing with you) anyway.
I wish someone (you) would create “Grammar Check” for our computers. I know I need it.
Here, Here! I didn’t know about the comma after i.e, and e.g. And I admit I am an abuser of exclamation points!
I consider myself a grammar too, but I had no idea on the i.e. and e.g. thing. Ugh. Now I feel dumb… but oh so glad you told me.
I am afraid that I am one who uses the “internets” as a virtual stomping ground for the English language.
I naturally proofread everyone else and it drives me ~crazy~ to read a post sprinkled with illiteracy. I however, am exempt because I do not read my own posts.
Suddenly, I’m very self-conscious about whatever it is I would say/type to you…
Are we twins who were separated at birth? I absolutely LOVE this post, and I don’t have to get out my red pen!
Thanks.
You have written well, and I applaud you. I have been known to edit menus as well, and I tear up the local paper with a highlighter for fun on a slow day.
These are all pet peeves of mine, and I am thankful for your post.
I can’t get used to ‘cannot’ being one word – my 6th grade English teacher drilled it into my head that it was two. So I use can’t instead.
Wow! I loved the brush up on grammar skills. Thank you for all of the reminders. I also agree, do not tell Boo Mama about #10. We might never hear from her again.
What? Only one explanation point is acceptable? I’m another grammar nut, and I certainly did not know that. I’m going to have some difficulty writing e-mails and blog responses now…..I kinda “think” in multiple exclamation points! (!) Oops….sorry!
Sadly, we just met but are already at odds. That stuffy old Oxford Comma is old fashioned and pretentious. It’s much too highbrow and redundant for my taste.
Hopefully we won’t rely only on our first impressions of each other…
Thank you, thank you for standing up for the Oxford comma! I’m an adjunct professor of English and have always taught my students that it’s never wrong to put it in there, but sometimes it’s wrong to leave it out. So why not just put it in? (This is the simplest reasoning I can give them that helps them even remotely understand it.) They always look at me crosseyed and say, “That’s not what my high school teacher taught us.” Ugh.
The real art is to know all this stuff, and then ignore it entirely. I swear.
Thanks for spreading the word about good grammar! However, I would like to clarify a point about the Oxford comma. It is either right or wrong, depending on the style guide you follow.
The Chicago Manual of Style, which is used in the publishing industry, requires use of the Oxford comma. The Associated Press style guide forbids use of the Oxford comma, so you won’t see it used in newspapers or magazines.
So, a missing Oxford comma is not necessarily an error. It’s not accurate to say that the Oxford comma is essential.
Thanks for listening!