My grandson has just finished his master's degree in " Creative Writing". He keeps going on about going to cricket practise and often writes about his driving license
For those of you who are not pedants, think how you use advice and advise. The first is the noun and the second a verb.
I would advise you that I do not charge for this advice
About 40 years ago, when my kids were young, the schools stopped teaching correct spelling and grammar saying that they would pick it up as they went along. It did not work and consequently we now have teachers, journalists etc. who are incompetent in spelling and grammar.
The one that I find annoying, as I believe I have mentioned here on previous occasions is the mis use of the word “between”.
Few people these days appreciate it is between two but if referring to more than two the correct word is “amongst”.
I chuckle to myself when I hear what are supposed to be highly educated people using between incorrectly.
Our local paper is full of spelling and grammar errors. So is a well known online daily. I thought a decent standard of English used to be a prerequisite for journalists!
As well as making stuff up
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Back in the day when I was running several magazines, apart from my editors, the most important people were the chief sub editors. They were the language pedants who scrutinised every written word and often reworked someone's deathless prose, including the editor's.
I am now told, because of spell check, sub editors are an expensive luxury.
I tried to post a trend which irritates me, but the iPhone kept correcting what I typed: that is, using “of” instead of “have”.
“I should have done something” but “of” instead of “have” - the phonetic spelling of “should’ve”.
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 21/7/2025
My grandson has just finished his master's degree in " Creative Writing". He keeps going on about going to cricket practise and often writes about his driving license
For those of you who are not pedants, think how you use advice and advise. The first is the noun and the second a verb.
I would advise you that I do not charge for this advice
I'm amazed a grandson of yours would ever make mistakes like that - unless he's like my children who write/say things wrongly on purpose because they know it winds me up!
Should OF rather than should HAVE is a particular favourite of theirs!
Apparently, it is poor form to pick on someone's spelling and/or grammar mistakes as that person could have learning difficulties, etc., etc...
As a first generation immigrant, even though I originated from a former British colony and had started to learn English from a very young age, English is not my mother tongue/first language.
I make a conscious effort to use the correct spelling and grammar to this day as much as I can.
In the late 90s, I attended a 5-day vocational training with an exam at the end, and was informed those whose first language was not English could have an extra 30min.
So I cheekily put my hand up to ask for this extra 30min, and was told by the instructor that it was a nice try; however, I did not qualify as I had spent long enough time in this country attending school as well as uni before working full time as a healthcare professional.
DK
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Another thing that annoys me is the misuse of apostrophes.
People are using apostrophes to denote plurals, e.g. lady's when they actually mean ladies.
The apostrophe denotes possession or abbreviation.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 22/7/2025
I tried to post a trend which irritates me, but the iPhone kept correcting what I typed: that is, using “of” instead of “have”.
“I should have done something” but “of” instead of “have” - the phonetic spelling of “should’ve”.
I was just going to say the same thing but you beat me to it! That is a real pet peeve of mine. I am a university lecturer and therefore spend a good deal of time marking assignments and if I had a pound for every time I have to correct a student for writing something like “he should of listened more carefully” I would be a very rich woman!
In one of the modules I teach to first year undergraduates, I now include a lecture on academic writing and the ‘big’ spelling and grammar errors students often make. I never had to do this 20 or even 15 years ago, but the standard of written English has seriously deteriorated. Interestingly, my department attracts a large number of international students, many of whom can write English so well that it puts our home students to shame.
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Topic: Spelling, oh dear
via mobile 21/7/2025 at 11:46am
