[Chrissy Scivicque]

There's no doubt you've heard some of these verbal violations. And don't be ashamed if you've committed one of these crimes against the English language - just read this article and let those grammar demons be exorcised. You'll feel much better (and sound much smarter!).
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[merdur]

I am SO with you on people making up words. My pet peeve is conversate. NO SUCH WORD! It's CONVERSE, people!! I do, however, hate to bust your grammar bubble though. IRREGARDLESS, is, in fact, a word. I'm with you on just using the word REGARDLESS but see the Merriam-Webster entry below. Keep on with the grammaration! Sure...it's not a word now but you just wait. )



Main Entry: ir·re·gard·less
Pronunciation: \ˌir-i-ˈgärd-ləs\
Function: adverb
Etymology: probably blend of irrespective and regardless
Date: circa 1912
nonstandard : regardless
usage Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that “there is no such word.” There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.

[Chrissy Scivicque]

Hmm...I don't necessarily agree that just because a dictionary has picked it up, "irregardless" is now a grammatically correct word. I'm willing to agree that it is a word - just not a correct one. You can find all kinds of slang in the dictionary these days - many modern dictionaries pick up the common "modern" version of words as a nod to the fact that language evolves with popular usage. It doesn't take away from the fact that irregardless is incorrect. It is a word in the dictionary due to it's common usage - not because it's the correct usage.Just as the dictionary passage quotes - use "regardless" instead.

Just for fun, I looked up "Ain't" in that same dictionary: Does this convince anyone that it is now an appropriate "word" to use?

Ain't


Main Entry:
ain't Listen to the pronunciation of ain't
Pronunciation:
\ˈānt\
Etymology:
contraction of are not
Date:
1749

1 : am not : are not : is not 2 : have not : has not 3 : do not : does not : did not —used in some varieties of Black English
usage Although widely disapproved as nonstandard and more common in the habitual speech of the less educated, ain't in senses 1 and 2 is flourishing in American English. It is used in both speech and writing to catch attention and to gain emphasis <the wackiness of movies, once so deliciously amusing, ain't funny anymore — Richard Schickel> <I am telling you—there ain't going to be any blackmail — R. M. Nixon>. It is used especially in journalistic prose as part of a consistently informal style <the creative process ain't easy — Mike Royko>. This informal ain't is commonly distinguished from habitual ain't by its frequent occurrence in fixed constructions and phrases <well—class it ain't— Cleveland Amory> <for money? say it ain't so, Jimmy! — Andy Rooney> <you ain't seen nothing yet> <that ain't hay> <two out of three ain't bad> <if it ain't broke, don't fix it>. In fiction ain't is used for purposes of characterization; in familiar correspondence it tends to be the mark of a warm personal friendship. It is also used for metrical reasons in popular songs <Ain't She Sweet> <It Ain't Necessarily So>. Our evidence shows British use to be much the same as American.

[Ilona]

While this may not be the final authority on the English language, according to the usage note on Dictionary.com, "irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir- and -less. It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable. Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis. Irregardless first appeared in the early 20th century and was perhaps popularized by its use in a comic radio program of the 1930s." This still doesn't make it right!

How about the great phrase 'for all intensive purposes'? Seriously? Let's go back to Grammar 101. It's 'for all intents and purposes'.

The word (dare I call it that) 'supposably' also ranks high on my list of non-words. What exactly is supposable? Does one mean 'supposedly'?

Then there's the classic non-word, "excetra". The Latin phrase is "et cetera" (abreviated as "etc."), which means "and other things".

Last but not least, my personal favorite, the extra 'h' in the word height. No, it's not "heighth and width", it's "height and width".

I am sure others have their own personal favorites. Please entertain and educate us.

[venting_bitch]

I despise "supposably."

I also hate when people say "expresso" - there's no X!!

But when people "abbreviate" written words, my eye tends to twitch. Nite, 2morrow, neway, smth. Since I work with a lot of teenagers, I rely heavily on SMS messaging, IM, and email. However, all my kids know that if they want something, they must ask for it in proper English.

I understand sometimes you need to abbreviate in SMS, but I don't need that in an email, or worse, a formal application letter. I got a request for an educational leave of absence that was full of smileys.

[tlangley]

Ok, maybe this isn't Speech related, but one of the most annoying grammer errors (and you know you've seen it before) is using "your" as "you're". Urgh! Microsoft Word can accidentally 'mis-correct' your document; so check it carefully.

[Lizzie B]

Anyways

I can't believe the number of well educated professionals who use the word "anyways". The correct word is "anyway" wihout the "s".

thanks for mentioned "irregardless".

[tlangley]

AnyweeyZ!!

Liz, you are totally right; 'anyways' is not a word. BUT, I must admit that I will sometimes use 'anyways' when talking or writing, and I do it conscientiously. To me, it's 'slangish' verbiage that allows me to tone down the "I'm a professional", to a more "down to earth" attitude. I use it in emails and IM's with (certain) associates all the time, but I know that it's not a real word, so I know when to use it and when not to use it (say it like Shakespeare-it's funny).

While there are valid Grammar Demons out there, let us all keep in mind that some of them are basically just our quirky idiosyncrasies that are used to allow us to "loosen the belt a little" (like casual Friday).

I'm not an English Professor, but I did Stay At A Holiday Inn~

[Lizzie B]

I guess I just cringe when our President uses it in meetings. He sounds so uneducated and yet I know he's brilliant.
My hairdresser uses "irregular" but somehow he can get away with it and I think he knows it's incorrect because he says it with a smile.
The Pres uses "anyways" quite frequently and he obviously considers it to be acceptable.
Thanks for your feedback

[Lauren Elder]

This post is making me strangely proud of being so totally anal about grammar. Tracy already hit on something I despise (using "your" and "you're" interchangeably) but I also hate when people confuse "their" with "there" and "they're".