I know the English language can be tough but I am begging here!!!

Edited August 17, 200817 yr by SickNTired
clarification

One that I see ALL the time is using "then" instead of "than". But I think my biggest peeve is the misuse of apostrophes. It has become epidemic and even has a name - greengrocers' apostrophe. "Apostrophe s" is for possesives, not plurals!!!

**can breathe a little easier now**

I'd forgotten about the apostrophe problem! It's (it is) a good thing for It to use Its grammar correctly! (What a horrible sentence, haha)

I've always been torn since I learned about apostrophes as my last name ends in an S. Is it Jones' or Jones's?!? Both are correct! (No, not my real last name.)

I also got into an argument with a bf in grad school about commas. I strongly believe it's "red, white, and blue" and he argued for "red, white and blue." So I got my grammar book out! :thumbup: I think the second option is technically correct but I don't like it, dangit!

I totally misuse apostrophes all the time. I remain the unapologetic stoic regarding my use of apostrophes.

I totally misuse apostrophes all the time. I remain the unapologetic stoic regarding my use of apostrophes.

Aww it's OK, Plain, just gives the rest of us a reason to pop you upside the head!!! :thumbup:

Thanks, it's, nice, to, feel, comfortable, around, people.

Thanks, it's, nice, to, feel, comfortable, around, people.

Gasp - You use the apostrophe correctly and then you go in the crapper with the commas!!!

It's Red, white and blue...but if you really want to you can add a second comma. It doesn't matter much. :thumbup:

Gasp - You use the apostrophe correctly and then you go in the crapper with the commas!!!

Those weren't commas...they were fallen apostrophes.

It's Red, white and blue...but if you really want to you can add a second comma. It doesn't matter much.

Um, red, white, and blue are separate colors; therefore, the extra comma. (white and blue aren't buddies more than red is with the others!) It's less confusing. :thumbup:

Using Commas

5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

The Constitution establishes the legislative

,

executive

,

and judicial branches of government.

The candidate promised to lower taxes

,

protect the environment

,

reduce crime

,

and end unemployment.

The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime

,

who had a strong revenge motive

,

and who had access to the murder weapon

,

was guilty of homicide.

That comma before the "and" is often referred to as an "Oxford comma." I was taught to not put a comma before "and" unless it was needed for clarity. The AAMT Book of Style for medical transcription says it is optional "unless its presence or absence changes the meaning." The Gregg Reference Manual says to use it. *shrugs* The important thing is to make sure your reader understands your meaning. That's the importance of proper punctuation.

(commas give me a headache) lol

I read emails from so-called educated folks at work and I realize that the whole damn world is grammar dumb.

The number one thing that drives me bananas is when I send an email with three questions and only the first one is answered.

Grr....Do I really have to send three different emails in order to get their attention? 'Cause I will!

Do you have people around you that don't know how to say " I saw it?"

I want to smack somebody when they say "I seen a lady I know when I was at the store"

Well in college I was a journalism major...learned it doesnt matter either way if you use the comma before and...I myself don't like to.

So actually red, white and blue is right as well as red, white, and blue.

That comma before the "and" is often referred to as an "Oxford comma." I was taught to not put a comma before "and" unless it was needed for clarity. The AAMT Book of Style for medical transcription says it is optional "unless its presence or absence changes the meaning." The Gregg Reference Manual says to use it. *shrugs* The important thing is to make sure your reader understands your meaning. That's the importance of proper punctuation.

Unfortunately, it is only after they reader has misunderstood, that you realize that the extra comma may have been useful.

I read emails from so-called educated folks at work and I realize that the whole damn world is grammar dumb.

The number one thing that drives me bananas is when I send an email with three questions and only the first one is answered.

Grr....Do I really have to send three different emails in order to get their attention? 'Cause I will!

In general as long as I can figure out what someone is trying to say I am very forgiving of any grammar or spelling errors on sites such as these.

However, my biggest pet peeve is when I ask some one if they would like to do X or Y and their response is a yes or no. Tell me how can you answer with a yes or no to a this or that styled question?

Me: Do you want to watch "Dr. Who" or "Stargate Atlantis" on Tivo tonight?

DH: Yes

Me: WTF???

The number one thing that drives me bananas is when I send an email with three questions and only the first one is answered.

Glou - I have found that listing the questions in numbered bullet forms helps. It's not perfect but it helps. Oftentimes, at least at my org, they will answer after the question!

To clarify -

1. Question?

2. Question? et al