So people like grammar, huh? And quizzes! Who'd have figured that's how I'd get a record high number of comments? Well, a couple of you bristled, but I hope you know it's all in fun.
I'm going to wait for Angela, my guru, to comment before I address the actual grammar issues, but I will say that you who commented saw some different problems than I saw. Very interesting. That reminds me, Neil cleverly requested a list of bad word choices, and I just used two of the top ones: very and interesting. So here goes...
Words and phrases to avoid (or at least consider avoiding) in your writing:
-very. If you have to say "very," then the word it is modifying probably just isn't strong enough. Instead of "we were very excited," try "we were ecstatic," or maybe even "over-the-moon."
-"it is interesting to note..." Don't tell me something is interesting. If it's interesting to note, that better be obvious.
-obvious. If you have to point out "it's obvious," then it's not obvious. If you don't have to...why say it?
-"I think," "I feel," or "I believe." You'll usually make a stronger statement without these phrases. And if it's something obviously written by you, it's probably obvious that it contains your thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
-neat. Unless you are talking about something tidy and organized.
-got. As in "She got fifteen dollars for one hour of work." Try "received" or "earned."
-totally.
-anyways.
-awesome.
-a lot.
-irregardless. A lot of people argue that it's an actual word. Yes, some dictionaries are adding it. But they are also adding "refudiate." Part of me wants to scream "Can't we band together and slow the decomposition of our language? Take a stand, people!" But I also see the value of cataloging these little sidesteps, for the sake of history. Maybe the real question is this: what should be the main purpose of a dictionary? (Different post? Okay.)
-that. Often, "that" is just unnecessary, as in "She said that she would go with me."
I can't think of anymore, but maybe you readers can add some to the list. Anyways, irregardless of what I think, I believe that it is very interesting to note how a lot of people find that it is awesome to say a lot of neat things that are really totally about... nothing. (Do you see the only real idea in the previous sentence? Nothing. But that's obvious.)
10 comments:
I'll add one: "I wanted to say..." Why not just go ahead and say it?
This is making me self conscience. :)
Stephanie, I'm with you. Posters start grammar/spelling police threads on a board I visit. After reading those threads I always feel stupid. I try to avoid them but they draw me in. I'm a glutton for punishment.
"Cuz" - It's unclear whether you mean "becuz" or "cuzin".
"LOL", "JK", "hahaha" - If you need to convey sarcasm or spontaneous emotion, use the talk feature on your phone.
"I wasn't going to get up today"...oh wait, that's testimony meeting.
- Mike
Funny, Mike. Sadly, we could do a whole post on testimony meeting cliches. It's part of the reason I love converts so much.
Great one, mom. I hadn't thought of that, but from now on it will bug me. :0)
wow, now I'm going to think twice before I say anything all day. I'm sure the feeling will pass, but for today, I'll be thinking about it.
I couldn't agree more about all of those points. My mom somehow instilled a sense of grammar and spelling in me at a young age (not that either is anywhere near perfect, but at least I care and try and usually get it right—mostly). Apparently I used to correct my teacher's spelling on the blackboard in 1st grade. So apparently I was an annoying little git back then, too :)
Some more:
"If you don't mind my asking..." (you already think it may be inappropriate somehow... if you felt comfortable enough with the friend to bring it up, you probably already know they don't mind)
"I don't mean to be rude, but..." (apparently you do, and know you're about to be, so either stop there or try "I know this may be impolite and might hurt a little but it's important to say anyway...")
"No offense, but..." (see above)
"And this is very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very important for you to do..." (either your name is Lemony Snicket, or you're a fan of his [guilty!] or just silly [guilty again!]) (And yes, I'm a total geek because I used the computer to repeat "very, " several times instead of typing it out.)
@Mike,
I feel so moved that I just have to stand up and share with you my feelings that we could have an entire thread on testimony meeting clichè phrases.
But first I need to find the Kleenex box. Bear with me for a moment.
You must have been a tough English teacher!
ooh, you'll find lots of verys and I-thinks in my writing.
Abomination that I kind of like: "a whole 'nother."
My kids have created their own bastardized usage from "versus." They'll say, "Do you want to verse me on wii" or "If Spiderman versed Superman, who would win?" I think some of their neighborhood friends say it too.
Speaking of Sac. meeting cliches, the one that really bugs me is when a bishopric member says "We'd like to welcome you to Sacrament meeting today." Why say you'd like to do it? Just do it! Say, "Welcome to Sac.mtg." Mormons are very verbose at the podium.
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