Homework idea- Word Crimes

[Littleturkish]

You may have seen Weird Al's new video 'Word Crimes' where he parodies 'Blurred Lines'. With the exception of some pretty offensive language used as insults (think outdated medical terms used as put downs) it is pretty good.

I've been thinking about Word Crimes and would like to have a weekly 'Word Crime' with my top set year eight class next year. Each week I would tackle a different 'Word Crime' and as an ongoing homework, encourage them to photograph word crimes.

So, on your list of ultimate word crimes- what would you add? So far I have: accept/except, pacific/specific, was/were, your/you're.

Apologies for any mistakes in this post and thank you in advance for your contributions!

Their/there/they're

Should of

(Till the end of your post I read World Crimes )

I don't think was/were could be used a word crime unless you're planning on a lesson on the subjunctive.

Assuming you've already got the word crimes in the video, there's also

Practice/ practise
Advise/ advice
Grocers' plurals

Thank you! Adding to my list!

chica yes, they could lead into a longer activity if needed. Likewise with your/you're, needs more work than specific/pacific or a lot/alot.

Few/fewer

Them/those people

Yes, I blinked rather over some of the phrases used in the Weird Al song -- a shame because otherwise it's very good.

definitely / defiantly / [the completely imaginary] definately
less / fewer
I / me
affect / effect

loose and lose

Few/fewer

^^This, plus amount/number.

Numbers with apostrophes (1970s etc)
DVDs CDs with apostrophes.

Any misuse of the apostrophe...

Yourself/myself in place of you/me

stationery/stationary
confectionery/confectionary
Usually quite easy to find these mistakes in shops!

Literally when it isn't.

Unique when it isn't.

Digression but incorrect use of less instead of fewer always pisses me off, however, I wonder if it's one of those areas where usage will change grammar over time.

Does it make any difference if people say 'less' for things they can count? It doesn't inhibit comprehension. It does make my skin crawl but that's probably not enough to stop it. NB I'm an editor, so I always object and change but wonder if it's a losing battle.

practice/practise. Some of my ruddy writers get this wrong. REALLY irritates me, they are professional (and damn good) writers ffs, learn the sodding rules!

and I/and me

relies/ realise

Unique when it isn't.

Not to mention very unique or extremely unique.

Does it make any difference if people say 'less' for things they can count? It doesn't inhibit comprehension. It does make my skin crawl but that's probably not enough to stop it. NB I'm an editor, so I always object and change but wonder if it's a losing battle.

I hope not...

Bought/brought
Us/we
Borrow/lend

License/licence
Using verbs as nouns etc. ("learnings", "leverage")

Yes! And adjectives!

When did 'Lovely' become a noun - one that refers to a person?

'Lovey' yes, 'Lovely' no.

Effect/affect
I would say 'impact' as a verb, but I accept I might be being a fogey on that one.

Been/being

Loose/lose

Seen / seeing
Lightening / lightning

I think the US spelling is practice for both meanings, but might be mistaken.

Yes, US spelling is practice for both.

Leverage is a noun as well as a verb.

discreet/discrete