Tag Archives: grammar error

Every One and Any One

Posted on April 28, 2008 by languageandgrammar

This grammar error only makes itself obvious in the written word, but it does seem to be fairly common. Use anyone if you can substitute it with anybody. Did anyone else hear the news anchor use the slang (read inappropriate) … Continue reading →

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To, Too, Two Grammar

Posted on April 25, 2008 by languageandgrammar

O, that this too too grammar error would melt… I’m sure that Shakespeare wouldn’t mind my re-writing one of his most famous and quoted lines—as long as it’s done in the name of good grammar. Most people don’t have problems … Continue reading →

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Whether or Not

Posted on April 21, 2008 by languageandgrammar

When I was in high school, I wrote a short, humorous poem about my potential future career; it was titled Weather or Not. Unless you’re reading that poem, which is highly unlikely since it’s never left the back of my closet, you … Continue reading →

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Sit, Set: Setting the Record Straight

Posted on April 17, 2008 by languageandgrammar

You’re not really supposed to sit something on a table, and you’re not supposed to set awhile when you need to rest.  It’s not the actions to which I object; it’s the verbs used to do them. To set means … Continue reading →

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Ordinal Numbers: First, not Firstly

Posted on April 14, 2008 by languageandgrammar

When enumerating, don’t stick an –ly on the end of the ordinal number. It has become fashionable to do so, but it’s wrong. Use first, second, third, not firstly, secondly, thirdly; there’s no need to add an extra syllable. That goes … Continue reading →

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The “Ex” Factor: Misspellings and Pronunciations

Posted on April 11, 2008 by languageandgrammar

Ex– words seem to be particularly prone to mispronunciations, and to a lesser extent misspellings, and if they’re not caught early, then they can be a challenge to correct—but who doesn’t like a good challenge?   Expecially is an especially … Continue reading →

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Everything is All Right—and Singular!

Posted on April 9, 2008 by languageandgrammar

Many readers have expressed interest in learning how to use the indefinite pronouns everyone, everybody, and everything correctly, and I’m glad they did. We all (yes, all) fall prey to this English language error from time to time.  There are … Continue reading →

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Awhile/A while

Posted on April 7, 2008 by languageandgrammar

The awhile/a while grammar error is, obviously, more of a written error than a spoken one. Awhile (one word) means for a period of time, as in Grandpa waited awhile before turning himself into a bat. It already includes the … Continue reading →

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A Very Unique Error

Posted on April 4, 2008 by languageandgrammar

I recently heard a runway announcer (no, not the airport kind—the fashion kind) say that each model had her own very unique style. Well, unique already means one of a kind, and putting very in front of it doesn’t make … Continue reading →

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Hit-and-Miss Misses the Grammar Mark

Posted on March 30, 2008 by languageandgrammar

I’ve heard the grammar error hit-and-miss used instead of the correct hit-or-miss by almost every meteorologist on television and by many meteorologists who write weather blogs. Hit-or-miss is an adjective that describes something that either might or might not occur (usually … Continue reading →

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