Top Ten Grammar Pet Peeves: National Grammar Day

Allyson Floridia ‘16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
With National Grammar Day passing on March 4, 2015, people are once again reminded of the nuances of the English language. Some say it’s one of the hardest languages to learn because it has so many rules and exceptions. These rules make it confusing for anyone to speak and write fluently a hundred percent of the time, and it isn’t uncommon to make mistakes. There are several grammar rules that people repeatedly confuse. Below are ten of the most common grammar pet peeves.

1. The misuse of i.e. and e.g.

I.e. is the abbreviation for id est. This Latin term translates as “that is” or “in other words.” Its use is to further explain something, not list examples. I love raspberries (i.e. I don’t want to eat blackberries). To abbreviate “for example,” e.g. would be used. I would like you to buy me fruit (e.g. bananas, apples, grapes, and strawberries).

2. Farther vs Further

It’s one letter, but it changes the entire sentence. Further refers to an addition of something, or something that is at a greater degree, while farther refers to physical space. Your house is farther from town than mine. She delved further into the case’s details.

3. Should of and could of

In common speech, people often use should of and could of. The proper use of the term would be should have and could have.

4. Literally

This word is often used to emphasize or dramatize. However, literally means actually. It says that yes, this statement is one hundred percent true. I’m literally dying of laughter. No, actually, this person is not dying of laughter. They may have found something exceptionally hilarious, but they aren’t dying because of it.

5. Then vs Than

Again, it’s only one letter, but it alters the meaning. “Then” is used in relation to time, while “than” is used to compare or indicate a difference in two things. I then went to the grocery store. You’re older than Betty.

6. That vs Which

“That” is used in a restrictive clause. This means that the meaning of the sentence will be unclear without its use. I don’t like that you’re not here. Without “that” the sentence would read, I don’t like you’re not here. This isn’t a complete sentence and doesn’t quite read correctly. “Which” is used in a nonrestrictive clause. In other words, the meaning of the sentence will still remain even without this clause. Henrietta’s car, which she bought in 2000, was green. Taking out the nonrestrictive clause, Henrietta’s car was green remains. Its meaning is identical with the sentence including the clause.

7. Their vs there vs they’re

The misuse of each word is a common mistake because they sound alike. Each word, however, has a different definition. “Their” describes a person’s possession. “There” refers to a place and can be used with the verb “to be.” “They’re” is a contraction of the words “they” and “are.” The dog was their best friend. I went to the house over there. They’re persuading me to join the band.

8. Parallel sentence structure

When listing actions, the verb tense of the actions should match. I swim, played golf, and am singing in the rain is incorrect. There are a number of ways it could read, but the key point to remember is that the verbs should match. I swam, played golf, and sang in the rain or I swim, play golf, and sing in the rain or I am swimming, playing golf, and singing in the rain.

9. Who vs whom

The correct use of these two words is tricky. “Who” relates back to the subject of the sentence and can be replaced with he or she. Who took the last cookie? She took the last cookie. “Whom” refers to the direct object, indirect object, or object of preposition. It can be replaced with him or her. Terry is the woman whom I met last week. I met her last week.

10. Could care less vs couldn’t care less

The phrase I could care less is becoming more and more popular today. The intended meaning is that a person doesn’t care at all. This phrase, however, implies that a person does care a little bit or has the ability to care less for a subject. The phrase I couldn’t care less is more appropriate to use and conveys the message that a person doesn’t care about a subject at all.