I can't take it anymore. (grammar, quote, difference)

[fleetiebelle]

I was just reminded of one you see often on forums: "pre-madonna" for "prima donna."

[JustJulia]

Originally Posted by Three Wolves In Snow

Another poster reminded me of one that drives me crazy, (they wrote it correctly):

What about when people use "they" as a singular pronoun? Just kidding--I occasionally do it too out of necessity.

Originally Posted by Three Wolves In Snow

Finally, I probably posted this one before, (so hard to keep track, so many misspellings, so little time!):

"I'm going to not do that."

No! No, no, no, no, NO!

"I'm NOT going to do that."

Keep this in mind:

"To be or NOT to be."

It is not:

"To be or to not be."

I'm unsure whether you are talking about a split infinitive, which really is okay, or just the placement of "not." I don't know about the example you posted, because "I'm not going to do that" sounds fine, but sometimes the "not" has to go somewhere funny for accuracy or effect.

Compare the following:

I think that you should not call her.
I don't think that you should call her.

I will tell her to not call me anymore.
I will not tell her to call me anymore.

The odd "not" is sometimes needed to emphasize deliberately not doing something.

[angela40]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Should have been "stricken parent", part participle of the verb "to strick"?

Strict:

[angela40]

I think the correct word is strict

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Three Wolves In Snow

Lie and lay

Ain't what I'm talkin bout.

[Elyse Margardino]

I am not sure why this is such a hard concept to understand?! (There, Their, and They're....To, Too, Two etc.)

I get so peeved when I see professional ads, signs getting this wrong! Will we ever get it right??

Is it just me, or is this a HUGE pet peeve for anyone else??

Exhibit A - "Professional" boxed invites

see attached.

ARRRGGGHHH

[NJBest]

Is that a card where you list "your invited" friends? It seems fine to me.

It's the for, when, rsvp, etc that don't make sense to me

[Three Wolves In Snow]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

What about when people use "they" as a singular pronoun? Just kidding--I occasionally do it too out of necessity.



I'm unsure whether you are talking about a split infinitive, which really is okay, or just the placement of "not." I don't know about the example you posted, because "I'm not going to do that" sounds fine, but sometimes the "not" has to go somewhere funny for accuracy or effect.

Compare the following:

I think that you should not call her.
I don't think that you should call her.

I will tell her to not call me anymore.
I will not tell her to call me anymore.

The odd "not" is sometimes needed to emphasize deliberately not doing something.

I would say:

I do not think you should call her.

I will tell her not to call me anymore.

[Jaggy001]

I had a very pleasant chat with my former English teacher the other day (I left High School in 1973). He remarked, during the chat, that my generation was the last one to be 'taught' English grammar in the old fashioned way. What the OP is commenting on is the result of changing attitudes and standards in teaching the English language since then.

[cc0789]

um... no, my second grader knows the difference, she has been taught... there certainly hasn't been a change in teaching the difference between your and you're that I am aware of. I can understand an occasional typo, but in printed material.... unacceptable. I hope you promptly returned it!