[skrice]

My peeves are: well, some of them are already listed. Recently at work we were sent a proposed advertisement that would be sent out regarding our products. The others in the office were laughing at how something had been phrased, but when I told them that if I received this particular advertisement, that I would think that it was one of the schemes that we occasionally receive via email from Africa (obviously someone who doesn't speak English as their primary language).
Another of my peeves: I am currently participating in a support of the troops. Often, when I receive the letters of response, I am saddened that it seems that these young guys have not received even the rudimentary grammar lessons. And their spelling, really atrocious.

[skrice]

Why do some people say 'hand them the INK pen'? As if I would hand them a pig pen? It's a pen, plain and simple! It makes no sense to describe an item like that.

[sungoddess]

One of my pet peeves is the improper use of its and it's (or anything with an apostrophy - it always seems to be in the wrong place).

[LauraKelly]

My pet peeve is when I see an announcement for the "First Annual..." instead of the "Inaugural..."

My biggest pet peeve for poor verbal grammar is the use of the non-existent word "alls." Such as: "Alls he had to was submit his paperwork." I hear it surprising a lot more lately and it drives me crazy!

[fussy1]

Originally Posted by OfficeArrow

Ghouls, and gremlins, and grammar demons, oh my! We're getting into the Halloween spirit here at OfficeArrow by banishing those pesky grammar demons that rear their ugly heads all too often. Read up on our latest contest and enter to win a fabulous prize.

View The Full Article

Incorrece reference to the subject antecedent. For example

"Each student was allowed to bring their pet to school".

Instead of "Each student was allowed to bring his/her pet to school".

[fussy1]

Spelling correction:

Incorrect reference to the subject antecedent. For example,
"Each student was allowed to bring their pet to school".
Instead of "Each student was allowed to bring his/her pet to school".

[pmccauley]

What drives me crazy is the mispronounciation of ask or asked. I've heard it pronounced axed, too many times.

[cdmathews]

Originally Posted by OfficeArrow

Ghouls, and gremlins, and grammar demons, oh my! We're getting into the Halloween spirit here at OfficeArrow by banishing those pesky grammar demons that rear their ugly heads all too often. Read up on our latest contest and enter to win a fabulous prize.

View The Full Article

I agree with most of the postings...most people in an office setting, with the exception of the Administrative Assistant usually, use bad grammar at one time or another when writing business letters. One of the most common that I see is the misuse of "your" and "you're". Instead of using contractions in a business letter, I will change them to the two words that make up the contraction - i.e. do not vs. don't. I do not think contractions are a good thing when you are trying to get a point across or trying to communicate in a business letter. Just one of my grammatical pet peeves.

[fussy1]

SheRex, I notice the first part of your post deals with homonyms. These are words spelled alike but have different meanings. To desist from making such errors, requires using a dictionary to verify the correct meaning of the words. As an example, "refuse" as a verb, is to turn down something or fail to do something. As a noun, it means garbage. The two words are also pronounced differently. In oral communication, their meanings are conveyed effectively when pronounced correctly. However, in written communication it is better not to use the two in the same sentence. Therefore, "refuse and garbage" will be better, if used in the same sentence than refuse (v) and refuse (n).

The second part of your post will confuse a lot of illiterates, who are having difficulties in learning how to read and write English. If they are having difficulties already, then your examples will throw them out of the classrooms. Those who already know the subject will find the examples amusing.

I agree with your pet peeve about the word "UP". In many cases, it is incorrectly or needlessly used; especially, in cases where the context in which it is used already speaks for itself. This shows how the English language has been corrupted by slang. However, a good knowledge of vocabulary will cure this problem. In proper English writing or communication, the word "UP" will not be arbritrarily used and the desired meaning will still be conveyed.

[fussy1]

Originally Posted by deirdre5155

All of these are good - but I have two that I have not yet seen. One is "would of" in place of the contraction would've (would have) - this drives me mad! Another is the use of the word "orientate" or "orientated" when we truly mean orient or oriented. These are both a little out of the ordinary - but no less annoying.

Deidre5155,

A similar problem is the use of "off of". Some people use these two for some unknown reason. For example, they would say, "I got 'off of' the bus". If you get off the bus, you will be out of the boss; correct? What is the use of the second "of"?