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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:58 am Post subject: |
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My native Dutch speaking colleagues often make an error that makes me crazy - substituting when for if.
In Health Sciences class: When you have a limb amputated/become the victim of a terrorist attack/develop cancer. (It's scary!)
When this new piece for your washer doesn't work, you can bring it back.
(Why bother to buy it in the first place??!!) |
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tommchone
Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 108
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:02 am Post subject: |
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When I left the US to come to China, I was told by the ticket agent in Atlanta that when the plane goes down, I was seated next to the emergency exit |
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Insubordination
Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:11 am Post subject: |
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Haha! That'll instill you with confidence.
I really hate it when teachers say (or spell) proNOUNCiation. I've even heard it on an Interchange CD.
The over-use of 'literally' by the English irks me. I think there's a separate thread on that.
I won't let Australians off the hook. A lot of them, including the Prime Minister, pronounce you've, we've and they've as your've, where've and their've respectively. It drives me nuts.
Other things like carnage and mass exodus annoy me for various reasons. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:02 am Post subject: |
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This new war-speak on international news: 'The news out of (wherever).'
The concept of a war-room has gone too far. |
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tommchone
Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 108
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:04 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, that one literally drives me up the wall. |
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elamericano
Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 65
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:01 am Post subject: |
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- signifying the possessive using a contraction of "have" without a past participle verb
- "withdrawl"
- apostrophe s for plurals
- "I could care less." |
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Dragonlady
Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 720 Location: Chillinfernow, Canada
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:53 am Post subject: |
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deleted
Last edited by Dragonlady on Sun Sep 26, 2010 6:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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vikeologist
Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 7:02 am Post subject: |
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The use of 'got'.
I got to class late because I'd got drunk the night before. I decided to get the attention of the class by using a game that I'd got off the internet, etc.
I'm a writer, and I have a self-imposed rule (in fiction) that I don't (over)use 'got' except in speech, and then mostly by characters that I mean to suggest are uneducated or characterised by poor communication skills. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 7:39 am Post subject: |
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"Growed", "throwed", etc. Who says that? My relatives in the US (deep South, of course). "My, you've growed." "I throwed it away yesterday." |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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In the USA, today is "National Grammar Day."
"March 4th is National Grammar Day. Though it may not be as popular as Valentine�s Day or St. Patrick�s Day, it�s a time to take stock of how important proper grammar is to people of every profession."
Here are "Eleven Grammar Mistakes to Avoid":
http://theapple.monster.com/benefits/articles/9581-11-grammar-mistakes-to-avoid
Regards,
John |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 1337 Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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I in the place of me.
Irregardless
Effect in the place of affect (or the other way around).
Towards (I prefer toward)
Insure in the place of ensure.
Chancellor is a simple, 10-letter name: why do people insist on coming up with other names? And who do you (the general "you," not anyone in particular) think you are to presume to shorten it without asking? (That also goes for people shortening other people's names without asking them). I don't know you well enough for such a level of familiarity!
People who are too lazy to pay attention to what they're reading (and it is laziness), e.g. when they read librarian instead of libertarian.
White people speaking ebonics. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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Yo Chance,
You be right, bro.
'Gards,
Homie John |
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jr1965
Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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When people say or write �Just between you and I�� |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 1337 Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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Best book ever about English? The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson. |
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