A Quick Lesson::
By Malyck
@Malyck (3425)
Australia
August 16, 2007 12:53am CST
I am constantly annoyed, frustrated and angered by people's inability to speak, or write properly.
The following are a few quick grammatical lessons that all people should be taught in school, or when learning English. They are commonly misused or not used words and their correct uses in context.
Your:
-"how was your day?"
-"is this your hat?"
-"that's not yours."
You're ( = you are):
-"you're not very nice."
-"you're welcome."
-"i don't think that you're right."
Their:
-"that is theirs, not yours."
-"it was their choice."
There:
-"that belongs over there."
-"go over there please."
They're ( = they are):
-"they're not coming any more"
-"they're my friends."
Than (this word is used in comparisons):
-"I'm better at this than you."
-"I like books more than movies."
Then (this is used as a time period/order of events):
-"Just finish this up, then come to meet me."
-"And then I said..."
Also, there still seems to be a great deal of confusion re: the difference between "he's" and "his":
He's ( = he is):
-"He's nice."
-"He's my older brother."
His:
-"his old hat fell to pieces."
And of course, the age old: too/to/two.
To:
-"I want to dance."
-"I'm going to go for a walk."
Too:
-"The music is too loud."
-"This is too spicy for me."
Two:
-"It's two o'clock."
-"I only have two more minutes."
These are just a few simple lessons,
I hope that there's some people who benefit from this, and I know that there are others like me who are frustrated by the same things.
3 people like this
4 responses
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
16 Aug 07
LMAO. I made a web page almost exactly like this but the sentences were snide.
Here is another that bothers me. People enjoy hearing themselves talk they have to add words.
"Where do you work at?"
I usually reply, "I don't work at nowhere." =P
1 person likes this
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
16 Aug 07
I should explain the error for those who do not know. AT is a preposition. It is incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition.
"Where do you work?"
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
16 Aug 07
haha!
Ah yes, I feel so foolish not to have added such things, I even forgot to mention how people confuse "were and where"... perhaps even "wear", if they are really misguided.
I thought about having snide examples, but I decided against it. most of the stuff I would want to say would probably be "inappropriate" for myLot...
=/
UNFAIR!
=P
Thanks for your response, good to know that there are still some brains out there.
=]
Mal.
3 people like this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
17 Aug 07
Okay so this is not a grammar issue, just an issue with me being a brat, but when people ask what I do, I say "about what?"
Kind of like how my friend's mom used to always reply to our "Can we have a cookie?" With, "I don't know, can you? Are you capable of it?"
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
17 Aug 07
Oh Malyck I'm so sorry and you read and respond to so many of my discussions! I used to be like you until I had a baby! Now I find on here that I've made so many mistakes. Its shameful! Great topic - and you say you can't come up with good topics!
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
17 Aug 07
When I was more obsessive - much more - I tried to remind myself that its what people have to say, not how they say it. That if some may have perfect grammar and a extensive vocabulary but if they have nothing to say they say nothing with big words and perfect grammar.
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
17 Aug 07
That's very true, in such cases where people try to make themselves sound superior through use of 'big words' that have no real substance, I'd normally catch them out on it, whereas I would do the opposite for someone who may not have had the best vocab, but definitely knew how to express themselves. In such a case, I might offer some suggestions/explain proper word usage etc.
I have always found it so helpful when others have let me know new words or corrected my errors, so I like to pass it on...
And sometimes be a pain =D
The whole "can I have a cookie" thing, I do that to my friends and family all the time.
I especially like giving my friends a hard time when they come to my house, for example if they ask if they can make a phonecall:
"How the hell should I know? Can you? Would you like to? Because if you want, you may... You'll have to work out if you can all by yourself".
Sometimes I'd give a demonstration. =D
I like to think I'm amusing =P
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
17 Aug 07
Ha!
Besides any small typos, I couldn't really fault you on your use of language, so don't fret,
even if your standards have slipped a little, I still wouldn't consider them any where near "shameful" level!
I very much enjoy reading posts from someone who's not all about abbreviation and misspelled or non-existent words =P
*blushes* awww shucks, thanks!
lol
Malyck.
2 people like this
@bucketkid (237)
• Australia
17 Aug 07
Hi Malyck, thanks for an interesting, informative post!
Although I've always been interested in, and fairly good at, English (receiving excellent grades through high school), I never knew the difference between than and then until now.
Thanks for teaching me something new!
