Grammar rant (non-pedants pls disregard)

[nzraya]

I keep hearing people say, about for example the full-body scanners that The Netherlands is now employing to scan passengers on US-bound flights, that "this technology may have prevented the undie-bomber from ever boarding the plane," etc etc. Every time I hear this, I have to take a minute to go "Bzuh?" and then figure out what they really mean,

Comments

[avecvu]

A comment above referenced "begs the question," but I don't think the problem is so much that people misuse it, but that they are never taught how to use it properly. I didn't learn it until this past spring, and was shocked that I'd been doing it wrong all this time. It's just something that gets picked up by listening to other people use it improperly.

It is literally the only thing I have ever been able to correct Billy on, and I was timely about it, too. He showed me a review he'd written shortly before he sent it off to be published.

The "may" vs. "might" thing, I don't know. I don't really notice it, and I have no idea whether it's something I actually do or not-though I'm pretty sure I'll be paying closer attention here on out.

You're such a good influence.

[peak_in_darien]

[nzraya]

Oh, me too. The only reason I have a concept of "sequence of tenses" (which is what the "If he had pressed on, he might have scored" example above is about) is from studying foreign languages! It is criminal how little they teach us about our own...

[nzraya]

Ha, I just read that last night after treating myself to "The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2009"! Featuring your man Charlie Brooker as well as David Mitchell (and the usual suspects like Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand). I must say I don't always enjoy DM's columns (too often he clearly has nothing he really wants to get off his chest and is just going through the motions) but I love his on-screen persona. He and Charlie Brooker refused to be bullied into dancing or basically to admit to enjoying anything any of the others claimed was "fun." Most enjoyable!

[lizzzar]

I must admit that I don't particularly care about the correct grammar; they can call it what they like if I don't have to undergo full interrogation at Amsterdam airport again.

[nigita]

I love a good grammar rant. My introduction to rules of grammar in elementary and secondary school were very hit-or-miss, so I've just been picking them up on the streets. This was informative and amusing. Thanks!