I have for the last ten years, spent way too many hours editing essays that my children needed to hand in the following morning. I've cringed at their convulted sentences and misspelled words. I have used the "delete" in Track Tools; commented way too often to put the "needs more development" or "find a more meaningful quote". Still, I've learned about Muslims, J Alfred Prufrock, Updike's short stories, political science perspectives. Equally I have admired the insights these offspring of ours express. They aren't your ordinary run of the mill thinkers.
Sometimes for fun - okay your fun may be to shop for Coach purses or row across the Charles river or paint lovely landscapes or invest in upstart companies - I will take a red marker and have a real thorough go with the local newspaper. Some of the text they write is worthy of my potato peelings. I have even written some of these journalists advising them of the benefits of using active tense. They don't "get" it. Who teaches grammar anymore for them to get it?
I have some particular favorite "pet peeves": for example "as to why". Why can stand on its own and doesn't need any other help thank you very much. "Between you and I" equates to a magpie screeching outside the window.
Social media has changed the Queen's English and I suppose that communication ultimately matters most. Still I would love to teach grammar again. Maybe a blog with a grammar rule of the day. I could pretty much kiss readership good-bye.
7 comments:
seriously mom, grammar is SOOOOO overrated. that's why some rich person invented spell check. but seriously, thanks so much for your help tonight. i love you!
I hate the words that are used incorrectly ie: you're - - your, there - their. Many others and I hate the short cuts that come from texting. I wonder if they really know how to spell.
Did you get my e-mails about Sis Owens?
My all time favorite is "I seen" a dog.
Nails on the blackboard!!!!!!
-CH
I would read a grammar blog because I need help. Who, whom??? No idea. Bad/Badly??? And I know you already sent me rules about the bad/badly thing...but I've already forgotten them. See, with a blog, I could search by topic heading instead of digging though all my comments to find your grammar comment...
Or I should just watch all those Conjunction Junction videos over and over again.
I need you here. There is a women in our group that is receiving instruction (ESL) to improve her grammar, and methods she uses in interactions with others. What little grammar I have, was drilled into me by the last good English teacher I had in school, grade five. Although until recently, my Mother was correcting our speech. I am helping her with some of this, and although good to stretch your brain; she questions me on topics I haven't thought about for a long time. I hope I am not leading her astray. My childhood friend also writes great emails, which like your blog I enjoy reading. She is not teaching this year; she is editing a women's book and website for her.
LT
Let's not forget the: "we come out to see her last week", "we have went there", calling film - "phillem" (OK that last one isn't grammar just me being snooty!), and then there is the whole then/than debacle! Oh this has been fun reading these today! Have a great day (oh, and I seen that dog too! He come in my yard every week. He is cuter then the cat. Anyhoo - I better go. Me and my kids are going out. We had went shopping last week, but where not done all they're lists.) Kathy M
Oh yeah, "Irregardless" and "De-thawed"! And people fault Sarah Palin for 'repudiate'!?!
Kathy M (again!)
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