Being irritated at "would of, could of....."

[DuchessOfDisaster]

I cringe when I see this written down. Along with "defiantly" for definitely and other examples. I don't see there is ever any excuse. And the excuse that "language evolves" doesn't wash, because "to of" is not a verb and never will be no matter how language evolves. It's not the same as adopting words from other cultures, new words like selfies, or a different meaning for "sick", for example.

OK, when we say "would've", "could've" etc, it may SOUND similar, but that's no excuse either. It implies the writer has never seen "would have" etc written down, therefore doesn't read much. What did they do at school? Was this style of writing used then and never corrected?

Another cringeworthy example is the inability to differentiate between there/they're/their and your/you're.

Just why do people do it and worse, why is it excused?

I don't like that either. I haven't been posting here long enough to have noticed it so far, nor have I read all the threads, but it is awful.

On TV the other day there was a guy being interviewed who said, "...I wouldn't've of done it....". Honestly. He seemed like a nice chap too.

I have noticed words being changed to another, similar word, as I type. It has happened a couple of times. That is annoying but makes me think, if that can happen, surely there could be an inbuilt grammar 'corrector'.

There, their and they're being confused is equally annoying, as is bare/bear (I noticed the latter here today), but I do wonder if it is the auto correct thingy sometimes.

It can be quite funny I suppose but I'm sure if anyone mentioned it jokingly they'd be accused of being all sorts of nasty things. It's best to ignore (or try to).

@TheFoz

Not to mention draws instead of drawers.

And omitting the word to, as in what happened you, or that happened me.

I've never come across that (your second sentence). If I did, I'd think it was some sort of typing omission.

@Caramellatteplease

no longer focus on or embrace the loving sentiment, but just ended up put off

If someone is put off by the punctuation rather than focusing on the emotion that says more about the reader than the writer

I'm not sure about that. You can't help noticing which means your attention is diverted from the point of what is being written.

@Okbye

Also annoying when people say ‘was’ instead of ‘were’ 🤬

‘We was going there’ ‘they was doing this’ uuurrrgghh 🤮

I really hate it when people miss out full stops!

'We was' cringes me too

@Selok

'We was' cringes me too

I find people not knowing how to use intransitive verbs more bizarre really.

Just why do people do it and worse, why is it excused?

Lots of people don't have the benefit of a good education and some are simply not able.

All three of my bosses say I when it should be me.

So they'll say "can you copy Joe Bloggs and I into your report?"

Gets me every time (along with when they say haitch instead of aitch )

I'd like to give @Geamhradh and @Pumperthepumper a 🏅each for still running rings round the pedants. It is most amusing to see

@WhatIsThisPlease

All three of my bosses say I when it should be me.

So they'll say "can you copy Joe Bloggs and I into your report?"

Gets me every time (along with when they say haitch instead of aitch )

www.theguardian.com/science/shortcuts/2013/nov/04/letter-h-contentious-alphabet-history-alphabetical-rosen

As said upthread, you might want to educate yourself on Northern Irish sectarianism before allowing "haitch" to "get you". (Not least because not liking it doesn't mean it's wrong, I don't like Coldplay, or Liberal Democrats but I can't truly state their existence is incorrect)

@JaniieJones tbf, they're making it very easy.

@JaniieJones

I'd like to give *@Geamhradh and @Pumperthepumper* a 🏅each for still running rings round the pedants. It is most amusing to see

Is that a rotund carrot, JaniieJones?

@Selok

'We was' cringes me too

I just heard a TV presenter ask "Could another new chapter be wrote?"

As well as haitch which has already been discussed, someone gave out about "gotten" upthead. Old English, still used in Scotland, Ireland, parts of England, the US and I'm going to hazard a guess that it's used in at least parts of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. But if it's not the norm in someone's corner of the UK, it must be wrong.

I hate it too. I am a foreign national, though fully bilingual. If I can get these basic things right, so should native Brits.

I think a lot of it is to do with people not reading for pleasure. You get a really good feel for a language just by reading and it doesn't have to be serious literature.

@pointythings

I hate it too. I am a foreign national, though fully bilingual. If I can get these basic things right, so should native Brits.

I think a lot of it is to do with people not reading for pleasure. You get a really good feel for a language just by reading and it doesn't have to be serious literature.

What about native brits who had abusive childhood leading to a poor education? What should they have done differently?

Pumper start with children's books. Charity shops have them. Work their way up to whatever novels appeal. Improving your written English also boosts your chances of working your way up in your career. I have a foster son who came from an abusive home. He is at University now.

@pointythings

Pumper start with children's books. Charity shops have them. Work their way up to whatever novels appeal. Improving your written English also boosts your chances of working your way up in your career. I have a foster son who came from an abusive home. He is at University now.

What if they have no money?

What if reading a children’s book at age 40 is too humiliating?

What if you don’t have the cognitive skills to learn grammar all by yourself?

@pointythings

I hate it too. I am a foreign national, though fully bilingual. If I can get these basic things right, so should native Brits.

I think a lot of it is to do with people not reading for pleasure. You get a really good feel for a language just by reading and it doesn't have to be serious literature.

I quite agree, reading is so important. Listening to good spoken English is also good, for those who aren't keen on reading.

What gets me most of all is when people such as those at school or college, of normal intelligence and ability, have errors pointed out to them but still continue in the same vein. That is just carelessness. Parents have a role to play here too (as long as they don't nag).

@MindyStClaire

As well as haitch which has already been discussed, someone gave out about "gotten" upthead. Old English, still used in Scotland, Ireland, parts of England, the US and I'm going to hazard a guess that it's used in at least parts of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. But if it's not the norm in someone's corner of the UK, it must be wrong.

Good points, Mindy. Just because something 'grates', it doesn't mean it's wrong.

Pumperthepumper, I understand what you are saying. Often somebody's grammar and spelling are the least of their problems and whatever anyone says, it is not easy to just start learning later in life. We often don't realise how fortunate we are, we take so much for granted.

Unfortunately, people are only as good as the people who teach them / other role models

Overuse of the word ‘good’. How careless.

The one that gets me is less/fewer, e.g. FEWER people not less people....even the BBC sometimes get this wrong!

pumper I am 53. I still read children's books as part of my reading choices. At car boots and the like, books cost pennies. Libraries sell books for peanuts. We do however need investment in essential education for adults who have missed out, but we aren't going to get that from our current government. Access to literacy for all needs radical improvement.

But not trying isn't an option.

@Selok

'We was' cringes me too

This thread just keeps on gving!

Is 'Love Island' speak now viewed as a form of standard English?

I quite like “defiantly” because I imagine the writer carrying out their definite action with added defiance.