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Pedants' corner
Original poster

I would "of"

27 replies

gorionine · 03/07/2010 10:55

Sorry if wrong topic. But I was just thinking people on here could clear it for me.

Is that supposed to be would "have"? English is not my first language and I am a bit puzzled by it.

OP posts:
LadyintheRadiator · 03/07/2010 10:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thumbwitch · 03/07/2010 11:00

YEs, LITR has said it - the shortening "would've" is why people end up writing would of, because that's what it sounds like - but would have is correct.

coolma · 03/07/2010 11:02

Argh. Horrible.

Original poster
gorionine · 03/07/2010 11:07

It is very confusing anyway

I defeinitely get the "would've" but because "of" obviously has a meaning of its own, I thought it might means something I was not aware of. Thanks very much for confirming my initial suspicion!

OP posts:
frakkit · 03/07/2010 11:08

Would have, definitely

In some languages (French for example) it makes perfect sense if you translate it literally.

Aurait / fait - would have / done

However as has been pointed out 'would've' ends up sounding like 'would uv' which becomes 'would of'.

tootsieroll · 04/07/2010 01:25

100% 'Would have'.
This is another one that makes my blood boil. 'They've = They have, We've = we have'....I'm waiting for the day people start saying 'They of and we of', and I'll become a hermit

DuelingFanjo · 25/07/2010 12:10

I just read 'I'd of had to'

really? I mean really!!!

prism · 25/07/2010 15:52

I was once going out with a primary school teacher who did this all the time. I never picked her up on it (or any of the other many grammar and spelling mistakes she made) but I probably would have done my bit for British education if I had...

bronze · 25/07/2010 15:56

Problem is I have got so used to seeing it I've started doing it myself. Agghh shoot me now.

alicatte · 25/07/2010 16:04

At the end of last term I decided to take issue with this and wrote up on the boards in three classes

'I would have can be contracted to

I would've with an apostrophe.

I would of - means nothing and should never be used.

Please write 'I would've' 20 times and then give me 5 sentences containing this contraction - correctly used.'

This solved my problems overnight.

I think it is important to teach children this abbreviation. I can see why they mis-spell it - it just needs to be cleared up for them.

TrillianAstra · 25/07/2010 16:20

Adults don't just mis-spell is, I have heard people saying very clearly out loud 'I would of'.

Eurgh. Yuck.

alicatte · 25/07/2010 18:29

Another good ploy I gradually discovered was to ask the children to remove the modals - should, would, could and ask them if 'I of jumped.' or 'You of been more considerate'(whatever the verb participle used in the the sentence) made sense now. They were really quick to pick it up. It did seem to make sense to them.

foureleven · 25/07/2010 18:35

This is a great thread.

I may get a Tshirt that says 'It's would HAVE!'

Of course not aimed at you though OP as you said english is not your first language and it is admittadly all a bit bloddy confusing.

Is this the board to come to to moan about..

Hhhaitch... instead of Aitch.

Beige said with a 'd' in it. i.e beidge.

Anymore i've missed?

Oh oh I know 'pacific' instead of specific...! arghhhhh

prism · 25/07/2010 18:38

FFS alicatte where do you teach? I want to have more children immediately and send them to your school! I hope Ofsted appreciate you...

BecauseImWorthIt · 25/07/2010 18:40

.... then surely, foureleven, you would have delighted in the recent Mitchell and Webb pedantry sketch?!

BecauseImWorthIt · 25/07/2010 18:42

the only thing to do when people say 'haitch' and 'pacifically'

ihearthuckabees · 25/07/2010 19:06

BIWI - you've made my day. Very funny sketch.

TrillianAstra · 25/07/2010 19:12

great link

alicatte · 25/07/2010 19:39

Prism - thank you

Ofsted usually appreciate me.

I love that Mitchell and Webb Sketch too.

alicatte · 25/07/2010 19:45

Foureleven

'Febyuree' for February. I ask the children to repeat it after me every morning for the whole month pronouncing it extremely carefully (I sound like the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland - they sound like the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland).

We write it out in full every time we write a date on a piece of work.

HinnyPet · 25/07/2010 19:45

BIWI, hi (sorry for thread hi-jack) how are you? Is that challenge thread still on the go?

prism · 25/07/2010 20:06

Stop it! I'm developing a crush on the teacher. I bet you're just as rigorous with the difference between "its" and "it's" as well?

Time for a cold gerund- I need to calm down...

corblimeymadam · 25/07/2010 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

foureleven · 25/07/2010 22:20

Chimley!!!!!!!

BecauseImWorthIt · 25/07/2010 23:39

Hinny - I don't think so.

I have fallen off the wagon in a disgraceful fashion and have failed to lose any of the weight I wanted to before I go on holiday.

I am pretty fed up with it/myself and not sure what I'm going to do about my weight, to be honest

Will think about it whilst away and formulate a plan for September I think!