I was watching The Middle last night and within the episode there was a discussion about using the proper spelling of a word. During this same episode some of the things that were said were grammatically incorrect. This got me thinking about the spelling and grammatical error pet peeves I have. I'm not going to say I'm perfect and don't make any mistakes, but I definitely make a lot fewer mistakes than the majority of my generation, and the current generation. It's quite sad actually. I fear for our future, as texting has created a large spelling impediment upon our young.
Well due to this episode I watched last night, I thought I would list a few of my pet peeves. You are welcome to add to this list in the comments.
1. There, Their and They're (This was the word that was mentioned in the tv show I watched last night)
2. To, Too and Two
3. A, An (If you don't know which is the correct use in a sentence, I've found that if it rolls off the tongue it's probably the correct use. Say out loud "I'll see you in a hour" and then try "I'll see you in an hour". You'll hopefully see what I mean).
4.Got versus Gotten (gotten isn't a word people)
5. Ate versus Eaten (Watch how you're using this. Although I am guilty of using this incorrectly a few times, I do try to catch myself).
6. Whether and Weather
7. Which and Witch
8. Picture and Pitcher
9. Your and You're (This is probably the worst one! Really people is it that hard to know which is which in your sentence?!)
10. Then and Than
11. It's and Its
12. Are and Our
13. A lot (not Alot)
14. Do and due
I'm sure I will think of more, but this is what I've come up with at the moment. Feel free to add to the list.
You're flat wrong about "gotten" not being a word. The Oxford English Dictionary attests to its usage for over four centuries. It has dropped out of common usage in the UK (though it survives in words like "misbegotten" and "forgotten"). It started disappearing in the UK in the late 18th century. However, it's been in continuous use in America (both pre- and post-revolutionary) for over 300 years.
ReplyDeleteI challenge you to find any dictionary that does not contain the word.
I hate how people don't know the word supposeDly not supposebly or supposevly come on people! Or when speaking and say come versus came or was versus were (Andy... Vernal thing).
ReplyDeleteMr. or Mrs. Anonymous - That's great that the Oxford English Dictionary says it's a word. And if that's the case, then it is one of the most misused words in the English language. Can you really tell me that gotten sounds proper in any aspect? Come on now, get real. Just because a dictionary says it's a word doesn't mean it's grammatically correct. There are several other "words" in the dictionary as well, but are they really words?
ReplyDeleteRachel - I agree! It drives me crazy that people mispronounce the word Supposedly. I don't understand that. And yes using come instead of came and was instead of were is annoying as well.