Wednesday, December 8, 2010

It is not that difficult.

I’m generally a very laid-back person, with few real pet peeves, but there’s one thing that gets on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard: poor grammar. My father was ruthless when it came to speaking properly. When he’d ask how I was, if I said I was “good” he would, without fail, tell me “I didn’t ask about your moral state of being, I asked how you’re doing.”
“I’m doing well, Dad.”
“Good!”
Having had that upbringing, it is infuriating that so much of the population, it seems, has either never been taught how to speak and write properly or just doesn’t care. If the former is the case, then I am greatly saddened and disappointed in our education system today. If the latter is the case, then that portion of the population is not one that I particularly desire to associate with.
It’s not difficult, I promise.
Some rules are subtle and confusing (and often without explanation), such as whether the comma should be placed inside or outside of the quotes (it goes inside). But such details as the difference between “your” and “you’re” are not negotiable. Possessives and contractions are very different and make absolutely no sense. Apostrophes should only be used with possessive proper nouns. I understand that in today’s fast-paced world we sometimes speak or write before considering prepositions or dangling modifiers, but the difference between “its” (possessive of “it”) and “it’s” (contraction of “it is”) or the difference between “there,” (“that thing there”) “they’re,” (“they are) or “their” (possessive of “they”) should be straightforward and simple.
I’ve noticed even more gross violations in speech, listening to people butcher basic tenses. Past perfect is not the same as past tense. The word “had” does not go with the word “went.” Conjunctions take the subjective case. He is not “taller than me” but rather “taller than I.” Conversely, prepositions take the objective case. She did not go “with she and I” but rather “with me and her.” Multiple subjects are still subjects. “Me and her” did not go to the store. “She and I” went to the store. If you separate them you’ll hear the difference. Did “me” go to the store and “her” went to the store? No, “she” went to the store and “I” went to the store.
These objections are not subjective. Although I have been called obnoxious and OCD and even anal retentive, I am simply one of the few who notice. If you think that no one cares, you’re wrong. Proper grammar is not usually noticed, but poor grammar is frequently noticed by those who use it. They simply do not have the time or patience to correct it, and grammarians are not exactly well-liked. Listen to people who are considered well-spoken and intelligent. Listen to people who are in positions of respect and authority. You won’t hear them violate the most basic rules of the English language.
If you’re writing a blog or an email, or even just filling out an online profile, all it takes is a quick once-over to check for the most obvious mistakes. Your friends might not care about your grammar one way or another, but if your writing is intended to give others a good first impression then you will have a much more positive impact when you exhibit a solid grasp of (and enough interest to care about) the English language. If you learn it and at least attempt to make it a habit, proper grammar will become natural. Regardless of your documented level of education, others will perceive you to be intelligent and your education will become far less important in their opinion of you. This small effort will change the way people listen to you and could very well change your life.

P.S. If you aren’t 100% sure how to spell a word look it up. In fact, invest in a dictionary. It will serve you well.

References:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammar
Guide to Grammar and Style: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/index.html
National Grammar Day!: http://nationalgrammarday.com/

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A Whole New World!

It's been awhile, I thought I'd bring it back. I've become much less actively political and now I've finally resigned myself to listening to NPR in the morning while I'm getting ready for work.

I've become more of a feminist and more open to new ideas. And much more optimistic! Things are going really great right now. I have a couple fantastic friends, and my cats are just as loveable as ever. Ha, god I sound like a crazy cat lady now...

Wow... there's absolutely nothing exciting going on in my life right now....