5 Grammar Mistakes that Make You Sound Like a Chimp

http://www.copyblogger.com/grammar-chimpanzee/

by TheElder • 17 years ago

2 8 17 years ago

Actually contains non-common stuff

Half these things are common usage and basically considered proper by everyone who isn't a nazi. The others are so rare it isn't worth mentioning them.

sharpn• 17 years ago

Hmmm, this smells like opinion presented as fact to me. For example, 'an historic' is good English (in England, not sure about US-English convention) in the same way as you can say 'an honour' or 'an hour'; ie. because the 'h' is pronounced softly.

jporter• 17 years ago

I recall a more interesting article on commonly misused words..

Eg. Bemused means confused only. Not "confusingly amused" as it typically is used.

Peruse means to examine in great detail, despite the fact that perusal time in college usually means skimming over the paper quickly.

I forget them all, but I think pristine and ironic were on the list.

hellotoby• 17 years ago

Wow. An article about grammar that uses incorrect grammar. Certainly makes the author sound like a chimp.

For example:

Here's a typical incorrect use:

    'The committee will consist of Bob, Mr. Parsons, and myself.'

In this circumstance, 'me' is the right choice. In general, 'myself' is a word you shouldn’t find much use for, so if you’re using it a lot, you’re probably using it wrong. 'Myself' should only be used reflexively, to refer back to the subject.

Unfortunately his proposed correct useage is incorrect.

The correct usage in this case would be:

'The committee will consist of Bob, Mr. Parsons, and I.'

gruseom• 17 years ago

The committee will consist of Bob, Mr. Parsons, and I.

"Consist of I"? I don't think so.

cema• 17 years ago

No, it should indeed be "me". The reason is the verb "consist" requires that its objects are in the objective case.

Native English speakers often have a problem with noun and pronoun cases because this grammatical feature has all but disappeared from the language, only its weak remnants remain. This is one place, perhaps the most well known place, where it still appears.

callmeed• 17 years ago

The "an historic" one is a major pet peeve of mine. I've had college professors insist that usage.

5 Grammar Mistakes that Make You Sound Like a Chimp

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