Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

beast · 06-18-2011, 01:53 AM

I put off making this thread for the longest time.

The longest time.

I didn't want to be that person.

Yes, you all know that person. God, I hate that person! Always ready to pounce every time somebody makes a typo. Always ready to hone in on the slightest grammatical errors, instead of dealing with the main arguments at hand.

Gah! I hate that person so much. And I didn't want to be her. But, like I said, it's killing me. I've seen too many posters - brilliant, respected, wonderful, amazing posters - do this, and I can't take it any more.

I know it's confusing, because in English, we use the apostrophe to indicate possessive (ie "Mary's dog, Australia's coastline, the building's roof).

It's so confusing, in fact, that many people seem to think this rule carries over when using the word "it's". That's just straight up not how it works. "It's" is a contraction, it means: "It is". If you want to say "Belgium is known for ___ beer", the underscored word should be "its". Not "it's". Never, ever, ever, Never "it's". No exceptions.

The following sentence correctly uses both words. If you have trouble with it, read it over a few times:

Belgium is known for its beer; it's the best beer in the world.

I'm sorry. I have put off making this post since November. Please forgive me.

Wax Frog · 06-18-2011, 01:57 AM

Its OK, beast

beast · 06-18-2011, 01:58 AM

NO IT'S NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But I knew somebody would pull that one anyways.

IT'S NOT OKAY, NOTHING ABOUT IT IS OKAY, NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN OKAY. IT'S SO TERRIBLE THAT THE UNIVERSE IS ABOUT TO CAVE IN ON ITSELF.

Not okay

elucidate · 06-18-2011, 02:05 AM

Breathe Beast...it's out of your system now, you can just relax...relaaaxxxxx.

beast · 06-18-2011, 02:06 AM

While I'm at it, these are some incorrect uses of the word "whom":

"My cousin Jack, whom works in plastic manufacturing, has a pet reindeer."

"Whomever said that is a giant snot-swallower."

"Whom wants to try a bite of my chocolate beet cake??"

Bonus! Incorrect uses of the word "I":

"This is a photograph of Mildred and I."

"Between you and I, that kid is a giant turd."

"Back the heck out of Andy and I's relationship!"

beast · 06-18-2011, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elucidate

Breathe Beast...it's out of your system now, you can just relax...relaaaxxxxx.

You have no idea how good I feel right now!!!

ZephyrusX · 06-18-2011, 02:07 AM

... *walks out of thread*

beast · 06-18-2011, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZephyrusX

... *walks out of thread*

Well, thank you for taking the time to walk into the thread and post in it in the first place! I know it's much easier to just not bother posting in a thread you find objectionable, so I appreciate the effort you took

elucidate · 06-18-2011, 02:11 AM

All I can say is, this is what happens when you study ESL! Believe me, I've had the same obsession since I started studying ESL which previously would not have bothered me so much.

It does sound like you have it a tad worse than me though. You can drive yourself mad if you're not careful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beast

While I'm at it, these are some incorrect uses of the word "whom":

"My cousin Jack, whom works in plastic manufacturing, has a pet reindeer."

"Whomever said that is a giant snot-swallower."

"Whom wants to try a bite of my chocolate beet cake??"

Bonus! Incorrect uses of the word "I":

"This is a photograph of Mildred and I."

"Between you and I, that kid is a giant turd."

"Back the heck out of Andy and I's relationship!"

beast · 06-18-2011, 02:16 AM

My obsession started when I took 6 summer Latin classes at a university one summer. I was 17, and spent 15 hours every week from June 1st through the end of August studying Latin. It was terrific for my English!

Usually I let it slide for the first 16 or 17 times. I have never frequented any other boards where so many intelligent, wonderful posters misused that word, though. I don't know what it is about the Steve Pavlina forums, but it's out of control.

VinceG · 06-18-2011, 02:26 AM

My favorite is when people use apostrophe's incorrectly.

elucidate · 06-18-2011, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beast

My obsession started when I took 6 summer Latin classes at a university one summer. I was 17, and spent 15 hours every week from June 1st through the end of August studying Latin. It was terrific for my English!

Usually I let it slide for the first 16 or 17 times. I have never frequented any other boards where so many intelligent, wonderful posters misused that word, though. I don't know what it is about the Steve Pavlina forums, but it's out of control.

Take into account the rampant dyslexia that is common amongst typers though.

Oh, and I always wanted to learn Latin.

Solipsist · 06-18-2011, 02:46 AM

Its nerve-wracking, I know.

beast · 06-18-2011, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solipsist

Its nerve-wracking, I know.

You're the third person to make that joke in this thread. Just sayin'

royster · 06-18-2011, 03:13 AM

Quote:

While I'm at it, these are some incorrect uses of the word "whom":

You've used this incorrectly. The proper use is displayed in the sentence below:

The elephant raised its tail and farted, making the sound "WHOM!"

ssandra · 06-18-2011, 03:30 AM

While you are at it, can you tell me when to use then and when than? Tnx!

Wax Frog · 06-18-2011, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beast

While I'm at it, these are some incorrect uses of the word "whom"

Grammar rules were a toughie for me for a long time, this being one of the most impenetrable; nobody ever bothered to make the who/whom - he/him parallel clear. Lousy teachers!

A late 80s/early 90s love affair with Tolkien's work was among the best things ever to happen to me - who better to osmotically absorb English rules from than a prof of the language?

I'm sure I pull a cringe inducer here and there, but I'm a far better writer now than I was into my early 20s...

Wax Frog · 06-18-2011, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinceG

My favorite is when people use apostrophe's incorrectly.

I believe these are commonly known as grocer's apostrophes. Fittingly, the produce section in an area Amish market was hysterically rich with them for a time.

beast · 06-18-2011, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssandra

While you are at it, can you tell me when to use then and when than? Tnx!

"Than" is for comparisons. Sandra is sweeter than apple pie. She's more beautiful than a field of wildflowers. She's brighter than a ray of sunshine.

"Then" is a lot trickier - it can be used as an adverb, an adjective, or a noun, and it has a bajillion meanings.

Example of "then" being used as an adverb:
"First I'd like to take Sandra home with me, then I'd like to make sweet love to her."

"Then" can mean "at the time", "in that case", "immediately following", "as a consequence", and probably a hundred other things I'm forgetting.

Example of "then" being used as an adjective:
"I went to Ibiza last year with my then boyfriend."

Example of "then" being used as a noun:
"From then on, I have always slept with three pairs of socks on my left hand."

bluestar · 06-18-2011, 03:58 AM

OK us grumpy grammar-gripers....
How about loose? (lose)
I don't want to loose my job
or bare (bear)?
I can't bare it any more
or baited (bated)
He watched the scene with baited breath
Talk about breath....(breathe)
A way to feel better is to make sure you breath properly

etc. I seem to find these all over the internet nowadays. Even sometimes in newspapers.

Beside the point slightly, but what is it with a lot of TV and radio presenters who don't seem to be able to say the word "sixth" anymore? So many of them insist on saying "sickth" instead.....
weird.

Wax Frog · 06-18-2011, 04:01 AM

I seen what you just done!

LostMyMap · 06-18-2011, 04:17 AM

My peeve is 'insure' vs. 'ensure'. I see these get mixed up in supposedly professionally written content.

Ensure is to make sure: Please ensure the door is closed when you leave.

Insure applies to insurance. They are going to insure my life for a million dollars.

Somnium Dico · 06-18-2011, 04:20 AM

YouTube - ‪Downfall of Grammar‬&rlm;

I love you, beast.

Don't hurt me.

Wax Frog · 06-18-2011, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostMyMap

My peeve is 'insure' vs. 'ensure'. I see these get mixed up in supposedly professionally written content.

Ah! My 'favorite' in this vein is premier vs. premiere

cacheborn · 06-18-2011, 05:14 AM

A simple test for using its/it's is

Quote:

If you can replace it[']s in your sentence with it is or it has, then your word is it's; otherwise, your word is its.

marinik · 06-18-2011, 05:25 AM

OHHHHH so sorry Beast for annoying you so much! Truly sorry, but most of the people from US don't speak any other language or their own. So please find a place to forgive the "English as the second language" people around these boards! I beg of you!

*are we OK sandwich partner*???????

beast · 06-18-2011, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinik

OHHHHH so sorry Beast for annoying you so much! Truly sorry, but most of the people from US don't speak any other language or their own. So please find a place to forgive the "English as the second language" people around these boards! I beg of you!

*are we OK sandwich partner*???????

Hahaha I have not noticed you doing it, you lovely lady (the people I have noticed doing it are all highly intelligent native English speakers).

And yes, I cut non-native English speakers a lot of slack - it's only right, because my Serbo-Croatian is incredibly rusty

ssandra · 06-18-2011, 05:29 AM

So than is comparison, and then is for everything else... Got it!

Please feel free to let me know whenever I make a spelling mistake like that! I hope I don't do it too often...

I know one of my personal problems is with belief and believe. I know the difference but when typing sometimes I mix them up...

beast · 06-18-2011, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssandra

So than is comparison, and then is for everything else... Got it!

Please feel free to let me know whenever I make a spelling mistake like that! I hope I don't do it too often...

I know one of my personal problems is with belief and believe. I know the difference but when typing sometimes I mix them up...

Okay, I will! Actually, you and Marinik and a couple other ESL people on these boards tend to have superb grammar. I think in some ways, it may be easier to get a good grasp on grammar as a foreign-speaker. I know that I understand the rules of Spanish/Latin/Japanese much better than I do English.

Sometimes I mess up with "effect" and "affect", even though I know the difference, so I feel ya there.

marinik · 06-18-2011, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beast

And yes, I cut non-native English speakers a lot of slack - it's only right, because my Serbo-Croatian is incredibly rusty

Wow!!! You can join Tanja and I (me) *oh what ever...* in driving Weena crazy!!!! Happy, happy.... *doing the happy dance, loving Weena

*

06-18-2011, 01:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
beast Retired Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,501	It's Killing Me - Grammar I put off making this thread for the longest time. The longest time. I didn't want to be that person. Yes, you all know that person. God, I hate that person! Always ready to pounce every time somebody makes a typo. Always ready to hone in on the slightest grammatical errors, instead of dealing with the main arguments at hand. Gah! I hate that person so much. And I didn't want to be her. But, like I said, it's killing me. I've seen too many posters - brilliant, respected, wonderful, amazing posters - do this, and I can't take it any more. I know it's confusing, because in English, we use the apostrophe to indicate possessive (ie "Mary's dog, Australia's coastline, the building's roof). It's so confusing, in fact, that many people seem to think this rule carries over when using the word "it's". That's just straight up not how it works. "It's" is a contraction, it means: "It is". If you want to say "Belgium is known for ___ beer", the underscored word should be "its". Not "it's". Never, ever, ever, Never "it's". No exceptions. The following sentence correctly uses both words. If you have trouble with it, read it over a few times: Belgium is known for its beer; it's the best beer in the world. I'm sorry. I have put off making this post since November. Please forgive me.

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06-18-2011, 01:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wax Frog Legendary Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Going from Somewhere to Elsewhere Posts: 10,374	Its OK, beast

06-18-2011, 01:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
beast Retired Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,501	NO IT'S NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I knew somebody would pull that one anyways. IT'S NOT OKAY, NOTHING ABOUT IT IS OKAY, NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN OKAY. IT'S SO TERRIBLE THAT THE UNIVERSE IS ABOUT TO CAVE IN ON ITSELF. Not okay

06-18-2011, 02:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
elucidate Banned Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 12,751	Breathe Beast...it's out of your system now, you can just relax...relaaaxxxxx.

06-18-2011, 02:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
beast Retired Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,501	While I'm at it, these are some incorrect uses of the word "whom": "My cousin Jack, whom works in plastic manufacturing, has a pet reindeer." "Whomever said that is a giant snot-swallower." "Whom wants to try a bite of my chocolate beet cake??" Bonus! Incorrect uses of the word "I": "This is a photograph of Mildred and I." "Between you and I, that kid is a giant turd." "Back the heck out of Andy and I's relationship!"

06-18-2011, 02:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
ZephyrusX Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4,885	... walks out of thread

06-18-2011, 02:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
beast Retired Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,501	My obsession started when I took 6 summer Latin classes at a university one summer. I was 17, and spent 15 hours every week from June 1st through the end of August studying Latin. It was terrific for my English! Usually I let it slide for the first 16 or 17 times. I have never frequented any other boards where so many intelligent, wonderful posters misused that word, though. I don't know what it is about the Steve Pavlina forums, but it's out of control.

06-18-2011, 02:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
VinceG Family Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,703	My favorite is when people use apostrophe's incorrectly.

06-18-2011, 02:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
Solipsist Retired Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 4,303	Its nerve-wracking, I know.

06-18-2011, 03:30 AM	#16 (permalink)
ssandra Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mexico City Posts: 11,168	While you are at it, can you tell me when to use then and when than? Tnx!

06-18-2011, 03:58 AM	#20 (permalink)
bluestar Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 775	OK us grumpy grammar-gripers.... How about loose? (lose) I don't want to loose* my job* or bare (bear)? I can't bare* it any more* or baited (bated) He watched the scene with baited* breath* Talk about breath....(breathe) A way to feel better is to make sure you breath* properly* etc. I seem to find these all over the internet nowadays. Even sometimes in newspapers. Beside the point slightly, but what is it with a lot of TV and radio presenters who don't seem to be able to say the word "sixth" anymore? So many of them insist on saying "sickth" instead..... weird.

06-18-2011, 04:01 AM	#21 (permalink)
Wax Frog Legendary Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Going from Somewhere to Elsewhere Posts: 10,374	I seen what you just done!

06-18-2011, 04:17 AM	#22 (permalink)
LostMyMap Banned Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 2,944	My peeve is 'insure' vs. 'ensure'. I see these get mixed up in supposedly professionally written content. Ensure is to make sure: Please ensure the door is closed when you leave. Insure applies to insurance. They are going to insure my life for a million dollars.

06-18-2011, 04:20 AM	#23 (permalink)
Somnium Dico Banned Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 137	YouTube - ‪Downfall of Grammar‬&rlm; I love you, beast. Don't hurt me.

06-18-2011, 05:25 AM	#26 (permalink)
marinik Legendary Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Where Living and Loving and Laughing are written into the Constitution Posts: 14,240	OHHHHH so sorry Beast for annoying you so much! Truly sorry, but most of the people from US don't speak any other language or their own. So please find a place to forgive the "English as the second language" people around these boards! I beg of you! are we OK sandwich partner???????

06-18-2011, 05:29 AM	#28 (permalink)
ssandra Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mexico City Posts: 11,168	So than is comparison, and then is for everything else... Got it! Please feel free to let me know whenever I make a spelling mistake like that! I hope I don't do it too often... I know one of my personal problems is with belief and believe. I know the difference but when typing sometimes I mix them up...

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