I could of gone to the movies...

ChiroDoc

ChiroDoc

Senior Member
Location
The Dixie Riviera
I cringe when I see a sentence like the above in a forum or post. The writer, being a poor grammarian, spells out what he hears in the contraction form of "could've", meaning "could have". The "ve" in pronunciation of "could've" sounds like "of", so they believe that is the correct spelling and correct grammar.

Proper grammar is long gone these days. And the ubiquity of iPhones and texts encourage its demise...:confused:
 

ChiroDoc said:
I cringe when I see a sentence like the above in a forum or post. The writer, being a poor grammarian, spells out what he hears in the contraction form of "could've", meaning "could have". The "ve" in pronunciation of "could've" sounds like "of", so they believe that is the correct spelling and correct grammar.

Proper grammar is long gone these days. And the ubiquity of iPhones and texts encourage its demise...:confused:
Click to expand...
I'm not sure that proper grammar is long gone, but it's certainly taking a beating with so-called education providers that don't demand it. Apparently, it's perfectly acceptable to have theses and dissertations that are rife with examples of poor grammar, bad syntax, and atrocious spelling.

AI is going to make it worse, far worse.

Remember when you were required to submit papers that were formatted per the instructions given to you, no strikeovers on your typewritten document (any page that had a typewritten error had to be re-typed before submission) and other requirements that FORCED you to pay attention to detail? Precious little of that these days, as we've noted.

Oh, yeah! GET OFF MY LAWN!!! :devilish:
 

One occasionally sees or hears a sentence like the following, even among professional writers:

"My son Tommy came in from the rain with his new shoes covered in mud. That begs the question of why didn't I insist that he wear his rubber boots before he went out?"

What is the incorrect grammar in this quote? Would anyone like to take a stab at it?
 
My husband is from the east coast and never uses the word ā€˜Iā€™ve!ā€™ Itā€™s always ā€˜I got to ā€¦yadda yadda.ā€™ It used to drive me crazy but now I just accept him with worts and all. Lol!

After thought: my husband says if this is the only thing youā€™ve got to complain about, youā€™ve got a great life.
 
Last edited:
ChiroDoc said:
One occasionally sees or hears a sentence like the following, even among professional writers:

"My son Tommy came in from the rain with his new shoes covered in mud. That begs the question of why didn't I insist that he wear his rubber boots before he went out?"

What is the incorrect grammar in this quote? Would anyone like to take a stab at it?
Click to expand...
I do this for a living, so I'll take a pass. ;) I actually have to get back to work.

"Of" instead of "have" is a huge pet peeve of mine. Another is "could care less." I always cringe when I see or hear that.
 
I know that members who have brought up spelling, punctuation, and grammar issues in the past have been roundly chastised for doing so. Still, as the topic has come up, I am curious about one thing. I've been noticing folks using "past time" in situations where I would expect the word "pastime". Is this simply an error, or is the term "past time" common in some countries? :unsure:
 
As long as a person communicates good enough for me to understand them, they usually know something that I want to know.
I know people that are close to perfect in math, language, ect., that have not done very well in basic skills to live.
Most everyone has flaws. Most everyone has something to offer.
 
I just hate to see or hear others make fun of others speech or writing ability. They jump to these people are stupid, have no education but then they find out they have millions in the bank and investments. while they have twenty eight cents in their bank balance.

Go ahead and call me stupid but don't come asking for a loan!
 
I'm pleased to know that I am not the only one who gets angry at these mistakes. It's another sign of the general decline in our standards. It seems that anything goes these days. Personally, I think it's important for those who still care to make a point of always using correct English.
 
C50 said:
Not long ago a woman speaking to me used the phrase "it's much more less expensive". I knew what she meant, yet I froze for a few seconds as my brain deciphered her word structure.
Click to expand...
She sounds like a shopaholic. (Is that a word? Asking for a friend....)
 
Lavinia said:
I'm pleased to know that I am not the only one who gets angry at these mistakes. It's another sign of the general decline in our standards. It seems that anything goes these days. Personally, I think it's important for those who still care to make a point of always using correct English.
Click to expand...
I think it's still true today, irrespective of how someone writes and speaks, that correct use of the language opens doors that would otherwise be closed.

For the record, I don't get angry at those who commit these mistakes. It's merely disappointing, especially when those who commit those mistakes are completely unaware of them and don't seem to care to learn something about their use of the language. Of course, those who dare to point out those "mistakes" are often ridiculed themselves as "Grammar Nazis"). I may have been one of those back in the day, but then I learned that my own mistakes weren't pointed out to me. It's a dicey two-step. How do you help somebody with their written and oral language without that person getting defensive? It takes tact and diplomacy far beyond my meager talents.
 
Last edited:
Iā€™s really upsets me, especially when I hear it from well-educated folks in media. Then my granddaughter said it and I sat there and said nothing.

If you want to read strong opinions, either right or wrong, join the Grammar Police on FB. I find it interesting, but Iā€™m not brave enough to comment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top