Mar 23, 2010
Words That Make Us Wince
In a moment of frustration, I recently posted on Facebook how I find it annoying when people refer to the book in the Bible as Revelations. It’s Revelation, not Revelations. To my surprise, I got a slew of responses of words/phases that also bother readers. Among them:
End a sentence with a preposition? Like nails on a chalkboard.
- It’s a moot point, not a mute one
- “Close proximity” is redundant
- It’s the Book of Psalms; each chapter is a Psalm
- It’s toward, regard and afterward – not towards, regards and afterwards
- It’s Daylight Saving Time, not Savings
- Is it drapes or draperies? To avoid the issue, I use window treatments
- People graduate from college; not people graduate college
- You shop at Kroger, not Krogers
- A mason works in masonry; not in masonary
- Men can get prostate cancer; not prostrate cancer
- It’s means it is
- You’re, not your, means you are
- You insure (not ensure) things like people and property
- And the all-time worst offender to me: Ending a sentence/question with a preposition – it’s like nails on a chalkboard with a full body shudder.
What are some words/phrases that bother you?
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Although I'm from here, I can't stand it when people say "I'm fixin' to do something". Of course, I've caught myself many times "fixin'" to say something grammatically incorrect!
We all have our weak moments Emily. Thanks for commenting!
"alot" is TWO WORDS… A Lot.
That's a good one. Thanks for commenting!
Also enamored of, not enamored with. And I never use a preposition to end a sentence with.
Ha! I was wondering what you've been up to! Thanks for commenting.
At the end of the day, when all is said and done, irregardless of what has happened, hopefully we can find closure if you know what I mean.
You betcha!
I was just fixin' to blog on this very thing. I'll do it irregardless!
Irregardless
Excellent one!
Yes! Yes!
Drapes or draperies should be eliminated from everyone's vocabulary & really, what are window treatments? Curtains; they are curtains!
Actually, window treatments are NOT necessarily curtains. They can be blinds, mini-blinds, shades, swags, curtains, shutters, or any combination of the above.
One of my huge gripes is "Valentimes Day." The last time I checked, there was no "m" in "valentine."
Another annoyance is "dest," as in, "I was sitting at my dest writing a letter." (It's a southern thing.)
Wendy
http://wendyburnett.wordpress.com
Yes, southern versions of the King's English can be painful on the ears. I should know as I hail from those parts. On the other hand, can't people look at words like valentine and know there's no "m" in it? Thanks for commenting!
Blinds would be the preferred term, but I guess you would have to call them Horizontally adjustable vertically sliding window slats to be politically correct?
Yes, in this day and age of all things pc, your description is correct!
You could not have axed a better question.
Now THAT'S funny!
I hate “likely” when what is meant is “probably”.
I will likely go to the movie.–NO!
I will probably go to the movie.–Yes
It is likely that I will go to the movie.–Yes
I really hate it when a word ending in "ly" (as in likely) is hyphenated! I'll also add you to my blog subscription list if you don't mind; you can always opt out — thanks for commenting!
One of my pet peeves is when somebody qualifies "unique." "That's kind of unique," or "That's really unique." Unique is 1 of a kind…it either is or it isn't…
I cringe whenever some writes that she "needs to loose weight." I once commented on it, only to see a reply later saying that I was a moron because the word lose only refers to not winning.
But I have to say that one doesn't graduate from college, he or she is graduated.
Interesting addition about lose/loose. Thanks for adding! I'll also add you to my blog subscription list if you don't mind; you can always opt out — thanks again!
Irregardless! Gotta be the worst!
Brilliant expose on some of the worst offenses in writing! In Singapore where I come from, some of the greatest transgressions include the use of the word revert as opposed to reply ("Please revert to me in a few day"??), and the incessant insertion of the word "basically" before a sentence.