I know language changes, but this one seems to have erupted recently, and I have hope it will recede. Things are based “on” other things, not “off of” them. So, for example, the new movie is based on King Lear, not based off of King Lear. That is all. Thank you.
I will enthusiastically support your campaign to put bases on things where they belong, not off of them.
In return, please help me get the argument centered on things, not around them.
My mini rant: Plurals don’t need an apostrophe. Address your card to The Smiths not The Smith’s. It’s not possessive 
In English. Not true for other languages in all cases. So my mini-rant: not everyone’s native language is English:)
Given that this is an english website, @skieurope, and the people I see making the mistake speak one language…curious though as to which languages an apostrophe is needed for a plural.
I kinda like based off when it is more a guesstimate. It just feels right since it is not on as solid footing. I think based on should be reserved for something we know to be true.
My rants:
Less and fewer
Good and well
Drives me crazy to hear these used wrong. Especially when national/local news anchors get it wrong. And they get it wrong a lot.
Mine is that advice and advise are not the same word.
Irregardless. Please do not use this word when you really mean regardless. Thank you.
I share all of these peeves. @bhs1978 I can’t begin to tell you how many times I hear someone on the radio say “less” and I mentally respond “FEWER!”
Also lay and lie.
WELL-paying jobs, not GOOD-paying jobs! Want to join The Society for the Preservation of the Adverb, anyone?
Actually, the thing that is driving me crazy right now is how EVERY person interviewed on the radio prefaces their response to a question with “So, …” Enough already!!! Just spit it out!!!
@doschicos Indeed. An apostrophe does not mean “look out, here comes an S!”
“Could of” instead of “could’ve” or “could have”.
“That is so good,” when it first started being used left me wanting to shout, “Well??? How good was it???!!!” Now I find myself using it :((
Re: “based off of” I take to mean a very loose relationship to the source material, maybe a middle ground while “inspired by” is more distant. Whereas “based on” implies closer adherence to the source.
An apostrophe does not mean “look out, here comes an S!”
I love it!!!
I think trying to make distinctions between “based on” and “based off of” is just a rear-guard action. I think “based on” is being replaced in the speech (and increasingly, the writing) of younger people. What does “based off of” even mean? “Based on” something means that thing is the “base” upon which another thing is being built. “Based off of” makes no sense. I guess it means something like “grows out of,” which would be better.
Note: a few people seem to think “based off of” means “loosely based on.” Why not just use that perfectly sensible phrase?
^Because that’s long and explanatory rather than expressive.
“for all intensive purposes” instead of intents and purposes.
Article about this: https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2013/10/23/based-off-of-what/
And please do not use u for the word you. Are you really too lazy to use two more letters? I was at school the other day and a teacher wrote: I like u as an example of a sentence for kindergartners…no!
As part of my job I review engineering white papers written by my staff, and “based off” is driving me crazy. I agree that this disease is spreading, but I’m doing my part to eradicate it.
Thanks to the OP for posting this. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
Mine is envy vs jealousy and I’m beginning to wonder if it’s just me and the words have actually changed meanings.
@ dolemite some of them “literally” have!!!
Hahahahaha I crack myself up.