As far as I'm concerned, 'whom' is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler.
-Calvin Trillin, writer (b. 1935)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
All the T's!
Why, oh, why must every seemingly intelligent and well-read person mispronounce "accreditation"?
It seems simple enough to me. There is a "t" in there, following the "di" and yet I always hear a "d" instead.
The provost announced, "The accrediDation board will visit campus tomorrow."
Why?
It baffles me. Do you say, "I'm going to put this purchase on my crediD card"? Well, that would just be ridiculous, wouldn't it?
I now add this ridiculous offense to my bag of baddies. Please help spread the word that it is pronounced "accredi-T-ation". It suits you to a "t".
Until next time, Happy Grammaring!
Susan K. Morrow
Grammar Grouch
It seems simple enough to me. There is a "t" in there, following the "di" and yet I always hear a "d" instead.
The provost announced, "The accrediDation board will visit campus tomorrow."
Why?
It baffles me. Do you say, "I'm going to put this purchase on my crediD card"? Well, that would just be ridiculous, wouldn't it?
I now add this ridiculous offense to my bag of baddies. Please help spread the word that it is pronounced "accredi-T-ation". It suits you to a "t".
Until next time, Happy Grammaring!
Susan K. Morrow
Grammar Grouch
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Apostrophe Catastrophe
I've had it! Apostrophe abuse is so rampant and deleterious that I have decided upon a revolutionary solution:
Do away with the poor, pitiful punctuation mark altogether!
That's right! Dare I say it: the apostrophe has suffered long enough! Let us retire it to the Punctuation Hall of Fame with a lavish ceremony, tears, and speeches!
Seriously, wouldn't that make your life easier? Not having to worry about whether the apostrophe goes before or after the "s", no worries about apostrophes making words plural (They never do!), no more apostrophe catastrophes.
I've simply had it up to here with my own annoyance at improperly placed, used, or abused apostrophes. This solution will satisfy me, the grouchiest Grammar Grouch in these parts, so surely it will satisfy the typical user of English.
Everybody on board? Great! Let's do it! I mean, lets do it!
Until next time, happy grammaring!
Susan K. Morrow
Do away with the poor, pitiful punctuation mark altogether!
That's right! Dare I say it: the apostrophe has suffered long enough! Let us retire it to the Punctuation Hall of Fame with a lavish ceremony, tears, and speeches!
Seriously, wouldn't that make your life easier? Not having to worry about whether the apostrophe goes before or after the "s", no worries about apostrophes making words plural (They never do!), no more apostrophe catastrophes.
I've simply had it up to here with my own annoyance at improperly placed, used, or abused apostrophes. This solution will satisfy me, the grouchiest Grammar Grouch in these parts, so surely it will satisfy the typical user of English.
Everybody on board? Great! Let's do it! I mean, lets do it!
Until next time, happy grammaring!
Susan K. Morrow
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Me, Myself, and I
(First published via e-mail on January 10, 2006)
I hope you had a wonderful holiday and some time off to rest and reflect--and to improve your grammar skills! No? Oh, well, let me help you with that.
This month, I am talking about "myself." I mean, the word, not actually myself. This is one of my pet peeves: using "myself" as a subject. Let me give you an example:
"My husband and myself are planning a weekend at the coast."
Would you say, "Myself is planning a weekend...."? Of course not! Then, why, oh, why would anyone say, "My husband and myself are...."? It just drives me batty!
Please help me spread the word to all the good people of the English-speaking world and beyond. "Myself" is an object! Here are two examples of correct usage:
"Please allow me to introduce myself." --Mick Jagger, "Sympathy for the Devil"
"For Christmas, I gave myself a beautiful purse." --Susan K. Morrow, Purse Recipient
I know you share my distress and will help me educate everyone else. Whew! I feel much better!
Have a great January and a fantastic year! --Susan K.
(c) 2008, Susan K. Morrow
I hope you had a wonderful holiday and some time off to rest and reflect--and to improve your grammar skills! No? Oh, well, let me help you with that.
This month, I am talking about "myself." I mean, the word, not actually myself. This is one of my pet peeves: using "myself" as a subject. Let me give you an example:
"My husband and myself are planning a weekend at the coast."
Would you say, "Myself is planning a weekend...."? Of course not! Then, why, oh, why would anyone say, "My husband and myself are...."? It just drives me batty!
Please help me spread the word to all the good people of the English-speaking world and beyond. "Myself" is an object! Here are two examples of correct usage:
"Please allow me to introduce myself." --Mick Jagger, "Sympathy for the Devil"
"For Christmas, I gave myself a beautiful purse." --Susan K. Morrow, Purse Recipient
I know you share my distress and will help me educate everyone else. Whew! I feel much better!
Have a great January and a fantastic year! --Susan K.
(c) 2008, Susan K. Morrow
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