Page 2 | For the love of God, everybody it's etc for et cetera. Not ECT

Moulez · 2026-02-01T21:40:13+00:00

I know I'm not being unreasonable, but just please agree so that we can educate people, Without rules, where are we?

HoppityBun · 03/02/2026 14:56

Takersgonnatake · 03/02/2026 14:50

The “of” in the second paragraph is superfluous, off makes perfect sense without it.
one word that always puzzles me is phase. Or maybe faze. As in “it doesn’t faze me”. I have a vague idea that phase in this context is incorrect but without knowing the roots of the word I’m unsure. And most people write “it doesn’t phase me”. Anyone know the rights of this one?

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Phase and faze are two completely different words with different meanings.

The confusion is because they sound the same i.e. they are homonyms. Many people hear or say them but do not frequently read them and thus they don’t grasp the difference.

CaptainMyCaptain · 03/02/2026 14:54

Takersgonnatake · 03/02/2026 14:50

The “of” in the second paragraph is superfluous, off makes perfect sense without it.
one word that always puzzles me is phase. Or maybe faze. As in “it doesn’t faze me”. I have a vague idea that phase in this context is incorrect but without knowing the roots of the word I’m unsure. And most people write “it doesn’t phase me”. Anyone know the rights of this one?

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In that context it should be faze. A phase is something like a habit or pastime that doesn't last long.

explanationplease · 03/02/2026 14:51

@PleasantPedantIm quite aware what the accent in Bogotá means, thank you.

Takersgonnatake · 03/02/2026 14:50

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:25

Thankfully MNHQ have been cracking down on the grammar police who humiliate those who aren't fortunate enough to be good at SPAG.

It really does put women off of posting even when they may need advice on domestic violence, care of their children, divorce, schooling or any other important subject you can think of.

If the grammar/typing/spelling of complete strangers annoys you this much, YOU are the one who needs to change or just leave Mumsnet.

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The “of” in the second paragraph is superfluous, off makes perfect sense without it.
one word that always puzzles me is phase. Or maybe faze. As in “it doesn’t faze me”. I have a vague idea that phase in this context is incorrect but without knowing the roots of the word I’m unsure. And most people write “it doesn’t phase me”. Anyone know the rights of this one?

FullLondonEye · 03/02/2026 14:49

explanationplease · 03/02/2026 14:47

Yes but one could equally say Espana or Italia. It’s inconsequential.

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It's Colombia in Spanish and in English. Not Columbia at all.

explanationplease · 03/02/2026 14:47

grumpygrape · 03/02/2026 11:28

It's Colombia

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Yes but one could equally say Espana or Italia. It’s inconsequential.

CaptainMyCaptain · 03/02/2026 14:41

Rayburn · 03/02/2026 14:03

So what is the correct abbreviation of ectetera?

It isn't ectetera it's et cetera which abbreviated to etc.

Oblongofdreams · 03/02/2026 14:39

I received an email from an angry client yesterday, who berated me for not having the "decent seed" to reply to him sooner. 🙄

SomeOtherUser · 03/02/2026 14:35

You are eminently reasonable! I've been tempted to post about this many times. Some take it even further with "... and ect".😅

Takersgonnatake · 03/02/2026 14:35

I could never buy a caravan or boat from anyone who described the number of sleeping spaces in terms of births. It would literally kill me to sleep in one of them.

Falafelsprout · 03/02/2026 14:31

It annoys the fuck out of me, I'm such a looser.

Littlethatchedcottage · 03/02/2026 14:27

I know! They manage to say first floor flat, second floor flat though, but ground floor flat is far to technical to understand! As for dual aspect, I’m surprised they still use that term in case prospective buyers think it’s an invite to pistols at dawn! 😂

Abitofalark · 03/02/2026 14:15

Littlethatchedcottage · 03/02/2026 14:01

No, but they do say ground flat rather than ground floor flat which raises my heckles, I’ve just looked it up as to why they do this and according to Google it’s because ground flat is less technical for people to understand 🤦🏻‍♀️

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I haven't come across that one. I'm astounded they assume people can't be expected to understand something that is well known and easy to interpret in the estate agent context. What would these poor innocents make of 'prestigious', 'dual aspect', 'deceptively spacious' or 'flying freehold'? Even 'ground rent' must be suspect, never mind leasehold, freehold and covenants.I only hope they don't have to grapple with 'curtilage'.

Rayburn · 03/02/2026 14:03

So what is the correct abbreviation of ectetera?

Abitofalark · 03/02/2026 14:01

LeftBoobGoneRogue · 03/02/2026 13:40

This should be posted on pedants’ corner. I do feel for those who make these mistakes but it shows who doesn’t read, pay attention to the written word or actually listen properly. Some people just don’t seem be bothered by their poor SPAG. Others may have dyslexia.
I make a point of not correcting anyone on MN but I do post on PC topic.

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Yes but AIBU generally has numerous threads that should be posted elsewhere, such as Politics, Relationships, Education, TV, Books, Chat, as they have nothing to do with wanting advice or opinions about a dilemma. Mumsnet doesn't care, though. Someone started a thread the other night with the title 'Anyone fancy a chat?' Why not use Chat? And why is there a thread of about 20 parts and counting about a book and a film?

Littlethatchedcottage · 03/02/2026 14:01

Abitofalark · 03/02/2026 13:50

Yes and it's written into our road laws and everything. We also have kerb crawlers. Surely everyone knows that. Does the estate agent also describe the ground floor as the first floor: oh the horror!

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No, but they do say ground flat rather than ground floor flat which raises my heckles, I’ve just looked it up as to why they do this and according to Google it’s because ground flat is less technical for people to understand 🤦🏻‍♀️

Abitofalark · 03/02/2026 13:50

Littlethatchedcottage · 03/02/2026 13:30

Curb appeal drives me mad 😡 it’s Kerb appeal, I can just about hold it together when I read it on here but now my local Estate Agent has been using it in their sales particulars and that is rage inducing!

Yes and it's written into our road laws and everything. We also have kerb crawlers. Surely everyone knows that. Does the estate agent also describe the ground floor as the first floor: oh the horror!

LeftBoobGoneRogue · 03/02/2026 13:40

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:27

Oh I see lots of others have joined in with the humiliation of those who struggle with this sort of thing.

Well done.

I guess women in need will need to find a different forum when they're desperate for help.

👏👏👏

This should be posted on pedants’ corner. I do feel for those who make these mistakes but it shows who doesn’t read, pay attention to the written word or actually listen properly. Some people just don’t seem be bothered by their poor SPAG. Others may have dyslexia.
I make a point of not correcting anyone on MN but I do post on PC topic.

jay55 · 03/02/2026 13:40

YABU to not use pedants corner.

PleasantPedant · 03/02/2026 13:39

@Doingtheboxerbeat , lose (verb), loose (adjective)

Lose weight - weight is being lost.
Loose weight - a kettlebell.

MrsPenelopeBridgerton · 03/02/2026 13:36

I hate this too, very annoying.

Littlethatchedcottage · 03/02/2026 13:30

Curb appeal drives me mad 😡 it’s Kerb appeal, I can just about hold it together when I read it on here but now my local Estate Agent has been using it in their sales particulars and that is rage inducing!

Andylion · 03/02/2026 13:19

Doingtheboxerbeat · 02/02/2026 13:57

This is my weakness and my phone is more illiterate than I am 😖.

Is there a handy rhyme or saying that makes it easier to remember?

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How about loose rhymes with noose?

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 03/02/2026 13:10

Vaguelyclassical · 02/02/2026 00:36

I went through the English schooling system and was taught it was very important indeed how I spelled. When did things change?

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Wasn’t it in the late 70s/early 80s when much of the educational establishment was saying that insisting on correct SPAG was elitist?

In the early 90s when I was doing an OU course or two, I read of someone asking whether their poor spelling would be penalised in essays etc.
The answer was basically ‘no’.

PleasantPedant · 03/02/2026 13:00

@EBearhug , I think it depended on where you were (local authority) and type of school.