To really really hate it when people use "was" instead of "were"?

[Sansarya]

Irrational of me I know, but it really irritates me when people say "when you was" or "what was you doing" etc. Does this make anyone else a bit ragey?

And yes I know I’m a grammar pedant and no doubt BVVU!

Yep, its not great.

No it's just poor grammar.

I have a personal pet hatred for people that say "more strong" or "more cold" or "more hot" etc etc.

STRONGER
COLDER
HOTTER

FOR FUCK'S SAKE

I can understand when people speaking english as a second language do it (and I always correct them, because actually when you're learning a second language that's more helpful), but when native speakers do it I have to resist the urge to scream.

I am trying to stop being a grammar nazi but to be honest 'you was' really grates. I mean there is so little morphology in the English language, to say this just smacks of laziness/ignorance.

It seems to be such a common part of the English vernacular now that is is probably nearing common usage. We may have to get used to it.

Also 'He don't', 'She don't'.

I remember being on the phone to a recruitment agency once, after I’d had a temp job assignment that ended badly, and the agent asked me "When you was leaving…?" and I started replying "When I were…" before realising!

It's funny (strange) that inaccuracies such as 'we was', 'I seen', 'he done', etc, are an English (i.e. said by people from England; the home of the English language) idiosyncrasy, and not heard in other English-speaking countries, like the U.S., Canada, Australia, NZ, etc.

I wonder why that is.

Top of the rage list for me is, "If I was you".

Outwardly, I'm smiling and nodding. Inwardly, I'm screaming, "If I WERE you! It's counterfactual hypothetical statement, use the subjunctive, FFS!"

It's not good for my blood pressure

The first time I heard my boss say "we was" and "we done" I laughed because I thought he was joking!

True Feijoa but I’m sure those countries have other ways of murdering the English language! I can’t speak for the US, Canada or NZ but in Oz it’s common among some to use “brung” as an alternative for “brought” and “yous” as a plural for “you”.

Double negatives get to me - the classic 'I never done nothing'. I'm a fully qualified Grammar Nazi, drives my family insane (how else will the simpletons learn though?).

I think it's rise has corresponded with sky news presenting events that have already happenned in the past in present tense - really bugs me. They show footage of say a hostage situation that has already been resolved and say "the hostage goes to the door, he looks out, he is targeted by police."

Don't know why but it seems to have messed up the younger generation's grasp of tenses. For example my youngest sibling says, "I've gone to him, no you can't do that!" instead of I said to him

Dp does this. I would never usually correct an adult on their grammar but I've had to start before dc pick it up. Also my dm, who is highly intelligent and literate says 'anythink' (she would never write it like that!). Annoys me a lot!

I thunk it is fine in every day language, it is used a great deal in Towie. Those in Towie have shops and don't need to speak well to prosper.

I do object to "was" instead of "were" on say "This morning". I am looking at you Marvin.

Saying this I have poor grammar due to dyslexia along with poor spelling, and would like to improve.

Does this make anyone else a bit ragey?
And yes I know I’m a grammar pedant and no doubt BVVU!

...and yet you use the word "ragey"...? which isn't a real word and at least there is an argument for the verb usages you are complaining about being dialectical variation

Having said that it does grate on me a bit but to "really, really hate" it seems a bit OTT. Those who live in glass houses etc.

Yabu

Grammar snobs are usually those who's mistakes were pointed out to them regularly so they're passing on the shame.

Model proper speech and your DCs will follow. Constantly correct them and they will be afraid to talk freely for fear of the grammar Nazi.

Well of course it's hyperbole RowRow but I assumed fellow MNers would understand that!

"it really irritates me when people say "when you was" or "what was you doing" etc."

Have you considered changing your social circle? I don't know anyone who talks like this.

Iggly I was never corrected as a child. In fact, I often corrected my mother, siblings, and anyone within my radius whom I deemed needed correcting. I was a pretentious child, now a fully grown snobby adult.

I can't do maths to save my life though, so I'm obviously over- compensating. I'm genuinely not 'nasty' about correct language use, however overtly using lazy speech, or text language can have a direct effect on writing skills. I don't think it's wrong to correct children, if only to help with an essential life skill.

Hah, I actually don’t know anyone in my social circle who talks like that. I was referring more to when I hear it on TV or (shock horror) see it on Mumsnet!

My FIL says 'Was yer?' I think it's a dialect thing.

Do you know what I really, really hate? When people write everyday instead of every day. DS's spellings book says 'Practise these spellings everyday' on the front cover .

Grammar snobs are usually those who's mistakes were pointed out to them regularly so they're passing on the shame.

1. that is total nonsense
2. you mean 'whose'

Just awful!! Also, when you watch those talent shows and the morons on the judging panel (yes, I am looking at YOU Alesha Dixon) say "You done brilliant", it makes me want to scream (or turn over, which I immediately do).

Yes, it annoys me too. PIL do it all the time. I would never say anything to them though.

Did anyone see Miriam Margolyes on the Graham Norton show. She was speaking to Will.i.am and correcting him, and he was trying to get it right. They were really funny together. He was saying,"So, I was like,.." and she would say, "Not like, dear,".

I have the opposite with my son, who is picking up the Yorkshire vernacular: "I were playing football"' "I were out with my friends" instead of "was". Drives me bonkers!

I don't think I am wrong.

And auto correct changed it to who's on my phone so don't be quick to judge!