Credit Where Credit Is Due

I recently posted a rant about "...you've got another think coming" (correct usage), after I saw "...you've got another thing coming", with regard to Judas Priest, in the local newspaper.

Before posting, I had sent a scathing e-mail to the responsible reporter--who responded! I have to say that I appreciate her response, even if she had not been as nice as she was. I suppose I put journalists on at least a short pedestal, so I was pleased to receive an answer. And I admit that, as a grouchy Grammar Grouch, I really had not been very pleasant, so her non-reactive attitude was even more appreciated.

Said reporter rightly blamed the band Judas Priest, whose song is actually titled, "You've Got Another Thing Coming." She even provided this link as proof: http://judaspriest.com/disc/default.asp

I let her know she was off the hook--but the band is in big trouble!

Until next time, my friends, happy grammaring!

(c) 2007 Susan K. Morrow

Holy Wholesale, Batman!

Welcome to my latest rant. I have really had it this time. It's a simple mispronunciation that is driving me nuts!

It's "wholesale".

I hear it pronounced "hoe-sale" far too often, and usually by people in the retail or wholesale industry!

It's kind of like realtors who call themselves "rill-a-tors". But that's another rant.

Please put both "L's" in "wholesale", just for me, if for no other reason. You will sound like you know what you're talking about!

Ah, I feel better already.

(c) 2007 Susan K. Morrow

What do you think about this thing?

I really thought this ignorant bit was limited to my ex-husband. Sadly, I saw this in the local paper today:

"Do you think... ? If so, you've got another thing coming."

OMG, I CANNOT STAND THIS!

As the Grammar Grouch, I have been known to be irritable on occasion, but in this case, I am about to become unhinged!

Why it makes me so angry, I have no idea, but I tell you what: If you think I'm going to let this lie, you've got another think coming!

Check out the dear Mr. Brians's simple explanation:

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/thing.html

Grrrrr....!

Please, my friends, help me to rid the world of this one little ignorance. I promise I will be happy.

Until next time, O best beloved*, I remain

Your Grammar Grouch

*with apologies to Rudyard Kipling

So Long to the Newsletters

Yes, it's true. The monthly Grammar Grouch newsletters are no more. As of today, Grammar Grouch will only appear here. Does anyone care why?

Okay, here's why. Sure, I love writing Grammar Grouch, mostly because it gives me a small outlet for my general rage over the abuse of English I encounter daily. And I love hearing from readers with their comments and questions. I continue to be available to readers who have questions about English.

However, Grammar Grouch simply wasn't doing anything else for me. I started it several years ago, when I had a writing and editing service, Words Are We. Words Are We is now my publishing company--if a dormant one for the moment.

So, while I enjoy Grouching, the newsletter provided no business for me and no way of really growing anything productive.

That's why I have brought Grammar Grouch here, to cyberspace! All my past Grouchings--and probably future ones--will be compiled into a book. Which will be published by Words Are We! Don't you love the Circle of Life?

Best to you and Happy Grammaring!

Susan K. Morrow
http://www.wordsarewe.com/

(c) 2007, Susan K. Morrow

"When" Is not "Whenever"

Welcome to the October, 2007, edition of Grammar Grouch!

Please be generous and send this blog to your friends, family, co-workers, boss, employees, and someone you knew whenever you were 4.

_________________________________

Welcome to Fall!

I am eagerly waiting for cool enough temperatures to wear my boots and sweaters. In the meantime, I am barefoot and wearing short sleeves, plus I have an all-new topic for you:

"When" is not "Whenever"

Yes, really. Just like "what" and "whatever", "when" is specific and "whenever" is random. Here are some examples:

"When I became a man, I put away childish things." (Biblical allusion. 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13. Never let it be said that I am not a Grouch of the world!)

Whenever my mom comes over, I clean everything but the stove. (This is true. She likes to have something both to criticize and to clean.)

When dinner is ready, we'll eat.

Please just get to the reports whenever you can.

I hope these examples help. Just try to remember that "whenever I was six" is not correct. The time you were six years old was a specific time and we use "when" for specific times. Right? Right.

I learned that when I was six.

Until next time, happy grammaring!

* Susan K. Morrow *
* 512-257-2737 *
www.WordsAreWe.com

(c) 2007, Susan K. Morrow