<p>The one that really bugs me (besides the already discussed lose/loose) is seeing “of COARSE” rather than “of COURSE.” Drives me bonkers!</p>
<p>“I will try and go” sounds more poetic, though. Very 19th century.</p>
<p>@Sue22: Maybe the Hamiltons were inviting you to their doghouse?</p>
<p>For all “intensive purposes” reminds me of “Olive the other reindeer” </p>
<p>Indeed, “literally” should not be interpreted so literally. Literally.</p>
<p>I would have come to this thread sooner had I realized it was the persnickety grammarians thread! Literally.</p>
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<p>Many expert sources say that “comprised of” is perfectly acceptable. </p>
<p>It’s still not good grammar, though. It’s passive voice.</p>
<p>Can’t believe no one has mentioned the classic “your” vs. “you’re” or “their” vs. “they’re” vs. “there.”</p>
<p>I pity anyone who has to learn English as a second language sometimes.</p>
<p>I just read this:</p>
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[quote]
“The good book says don’t throw stones at glass houses, or make sure we’re looking at the log in our eye before we are pointing out the moat in other folks eyes,” Obama said during a speech in Nashville. One problem, though: The Bible never mentions glass houses.<a href=“from%20theweek.com”>/quote</a></p>
<p>“Mote” and “moat” are rather different …</p>
<p>@sorghum, to be honest this is a huge pet peeve for me. When someone does it for a living (i.e. employs copy editors), they are regarded by the public as being the standard-bearer. When the standard-bearer (e.g., theweek.com) persists in putting errors out there, such as this transcription from spoken to written word, what model can the public use? I think those who employ (or should employ) copy editors should get it right.</p>
<p>sorghum, I always thought the glass-houses quote came from the Bible too. I guess it’s more likely from Chaucer. </p>
<p>I agree that editors need to do a better job.</p>
<p>It seems more appropriate to say “I hate it when people confuse _______ with _______.” </p>
<p>To say, “I hate people who confuse ________ with _________” is like saying I hate people who can’t do oxidation reduction reactions or I hate people who can’t navigate without a map. Some of these are regional, some are spoken colloquial phrases, some are iphone autocorrect, some are dyslexia, some are short CC edit time, some are modern teaching methods, some are ESL and some are just people who are less skilled with grammar “irregardless” of intelligence. Yes . . . sometimes they let the idiots type and all heck breaks “lose” but try keep in mind some of the things that you have not perfected. All y’all are probably driving a bunch of other people crazy with your own peccadilloes.</p>
<p>The improper use of “myself” - GAH!</p>
<p>Sorghum, I’ve looked up the use of “comprise” several times and, from what I recall, most, if not all, of the grammar /usage sites said that “comprised of” is wrong. “COMPOSED of” is correct; “comprised of” is not. Just because the wrong usage is becoming more and more common doesn’t make it correct.</p>
<p>“Its” and “it’s” are misused EVERYWHERE - literally!</p>
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<p>Actually, I think it does. English language is defined by usage, not by rules. That is one reason it is so complicated.</p>
<p>Have you ever heard the joke about the professor telling the class: </p>
<p>“In many languages, a double negative serves to indicate the positive, such as ‘Don’t not lock the door’ serving to mean ‘Lock the door;’ but there is never an instance where a double positive serves to indicate the negative.”</p>
<p>and a student in the back replying:</p>
<p>“Yeah, right!”</p>
<p>“For all intensive purposes” – I thought this WAS the phrase for years! So embarrassed when I used it in one of my first assignments in journalism school and the prof corrected me. </p>
<p>Anyone else love reading “Eats, Shoots and Leaves”?</p>
<p>Okay, after defending typos and evolving language standards, I’ve thought of a usage that really grates on my nerves: “forever” as an adjective, as in, “Is that your forever dog or are you just fostering?” Or, “Are you looking for a forever home, or just a temporary stop-gap place?” Don’t know why it bugs me so much. I suppose it sounds twee and childish to my ear.</p>
<p>Oh, we loved Olive the Other Reindeer. With Round John Virgin, and Richard Stands, who thought the Pledge of Allegiance was about him. </p>