Preserving the English Language
I went blog surfing last night when I got home. In addition to reading the blogs I usually read, I decided to check out some other blogs. There is a disturbing trend in blogs (especially those who criticize people for not knowing the English language.) The trend is that people are lacking in fundamental grammar skills. How can you expect people to learn the language when you haven’t?
Today I will point out some simple grammar rules that I was taught in the fifth grade. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be smarter than a fifth grader.
“Your” vs. “You’re”
“Your” is possessive. It means something that belongs to you.
It’s your problem now.
“You’re” is a contraction of “You are.”
You’re an idiot.
One of the last replies from a blog I read last night said, “Your a idiot.” This is wrong in a couple of ways. Not only did he have the wrong word, but it should have been, “an” before “idiot.”
“Their” vs. “There” vs. “They’re”
“Their” is possessive.
It’s their problem now.
“There” can be an adverb, noun, pronoun, adjective, or interjection.
The bong is there where you left it. (adverb)
There are people who are still confused. (pronoun)
I don’t know if the guy with the trench coat is from there. (noun)
Ask the homeless guy there. (adjective)
There! The police won’t find the stash now! (interjection)
“They’re” is a contraction of “They are.”
They’re screwed if the police find the stash.”
If you are going to take on a battle of preserving a language, the least you can do is know what you are preserving.
7 Comments
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Woo Hoo – love the examples!
I thought you only fought battles you could win. 🙂
Sometimes looking like you’re doing something is half the battle. The other half of the battle is getting it done.
I iz smarter dan a fif grader. Dat wuz fun.
Good examples – the interchangeable use of discreet versus discrete annoys me also.
I am ashamed to admit that I had to look up “discrete” as I had never seen that word before. I have heard of “discreet”, but prefer to refer to myself as “stealth” as it sounds cooler.
Fantastic. I also hate the misuse of its and it’s.