Happy Punctuation Day!

It's no secret that I am a word nerd. I think that the proper use of grammar is so important in a society of spell check and chat/text speak.

Today is National Punctuation Day. Yes, those little marks do indeed get their own day of celebration.

And they deserve it, too! What else can change a sentence from being cannibalistic to loving? The mere addition of a comma changes the meaning of a sentence like you wouldn't believe. Observe:

Let's eat grandma!
Let's eat, grandma!

See? One tiny little mark can define whether you want to eat your own grandmother or invite her over for dinner. Kind of seems important, now doesn't it?

If you'd like to learn more about this quirky little holiday, check out the official website.
Check out some of Grammar Girl's quick and dirty tips.
Also take a look at the Purdue OWL's tips.

How about one more little fun thing? Bob the Angry Flower has a few things to say about the apostrophe:

Image Source

Happy Punctuating!

What's happening here?

Technology is one of those things that is inevitable in a society. People surf the Internet on cell phones and make phone calls with the Internet. Chatting, instant messaging, and texting are three ways that adolescents and kids communicate the most with their peers (and even family members). However, I can't help but think that this influx of communication through technology is hampering the English language and perhaps degrading it into something that may be permanent. Most languages are fluid and constantly changing. For example, the OED adding words like "cyberslacking," "screenager," and "grrrl" and if a language doesn't evolve then it may very well die, but where is the line between growing to benefit society and growing to encourage an uneducated society?

Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter status updates are full of typos: "your" instead of "you're," "then" instead of "than," "2" instead of "to," "c" instead of "see," and "u" instead of "you." The problem is that these aren't once in a while mistakes, I've seen these as constant mistakes and it appears that those who create the mistakes don't really care. I think the ease of spellcheck and the fact that no one corrects these mistakes really is hampering the younger generation. I don't mean to take on a slippery slope, but what happens eventually when these kids (and even adults) submit homework or reports to bosses and it's riddled with grammatical problems? Will someone correct them or will someone just figure it's easier to let it go? What will happen to the way we write and speak if people continue to disregard the correct usage of our language that have, thus far, evolved into something great? What would classic writers like Poe, Twain, or the Brownings say about what is happening?

My point is that perhaps we need to be mindful of what is happening when it comes to communication and what the potential outcome might be. Perhaps if people stand up and point out what's happening, a degradation of our precious language might be staved off for at least another generation.

Grammar 101 - Serial Comma

Some people see grammar as a trifle, but I consider it important and the grammarian community would agree. However, would you believe there is dissension going on amongst grammarians about something very serious….a comma!

To be more precise, what has been dubbed the serial comma. There are those who think it is necessary, those who do not, and those who really don’t care.

A serial comma is the comma that comes in the last part of a list. A serial comma appears in the following example:

I need to buy milk, cheese, and potatoes at the grocery store.

A serial comma does not appear in this example:

I need to buy milk, cheese and potatoes.

AP style (the style most newspapers and magazines use) says that a serial comma is not necessary. Those who use other styles like MLA think that the comma needs to be there.

Personally I am a believer in the serial comma because it brings a sense of consistency to your list, your sentence, and your overall writing.

The decision is yours.

National Grammar Day!

First, I want to wish everyone a happy National Grammar Day!

Since 2004 every March 4th has been celebrated by grammarphiles and grammar police everywhere. As a holder of an English degree and a former proofreader, I have been waiting for this day for months. Seriously. March 4th should be celebrated nationally as a reminder to English speakers and writers that grammar is indeed important. Not only does proper grammar make one sound smarter, it also reinforces the integrity of the complex English language.

That being said, I don't expect the post offices to close or even a parade. I would just like people to spread the good grammar word around their households, classrooms, workplaces, and anywhere else.

To celebrate, check out these links:
The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG) You can even print out your own membership card!
The SPOGG Blog
This Life is a Sinecure entry about simple grammar tips everyone should know
Grammar Girl
Top Ten Grammar Tips
A list of grammar blogs
Apostrophe Catastrophes
The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
GrammarBlog

www.toothpastefordinner.com

Simple Grammar Everyone Should Know

I love the English language. I love that it's difficult, I love all of the words, I love that there are so many forms of the language. All around, I think it's a great thing. However, having an English degree and working as a proofreader, I can't help but notice the language is being absolutely slaughtered. I don't know if it's because of technology, because kids/people just don't think it's important, because teachers are so horribly underpaid and schools are understaffed, or a combination of all of that. I am just so amazed that people make these simple grammar mistakes over and over and over.

I used to joke that I wanted to become a grammar super hero of sorts. While that isn't really a possibility (or is it?!) I wanted to put together a very quick and concise list of a few common grammatical errors and explain why they are errors and simple tips to remember the correct usage. I beg of the readers to check it out and maybe share with a grammatically challenged friend.

(I'd like to point out that no one is immune from grammatical errors. Even those of us who enjoy the subject make a mistake now and then. I'm really talking about the repeat offenders who don't realize or care about their mistakes.)

Use the proper form of homonyms (words that sound the same but are spelled differently). This is a very common mistake. I think this is because a lot of people remember learning the difference and know there are special rules. But since they can't remember completely, they try to do what they think is correct. This mistake will not only misconstrue the meaning of a sentence, but it also makes the user look uneducated.

• To - A preposition, usually used to express motion I am going to the store.
• Too - Another word for "also" I would like an ice cream cone, too.
  
• Two - The number 2 spelled out I need to buy two ice cream cones.

• Your - Possessive version of "you" Your dog ran away
  
• You're - Contraction of the words "you" and "are" You're going to work all weekend
  

• Their - Possessive version of "they" Their car has two doors
  
• There - A state, condition, or placement There were seven balloons over there yesterday
  
• They're - A contraction of the words "they" and "are" They're buying balloons and candy

• Then - Usually used to indicate time or a consequence If you eat worms then you are going to be sick
  
• Than - Used in comparison I can run faster than Jimmy

• Lose - To not win I won't place cards because I will lose
  
• Loose - The opposite of tight My shoes are loose (Think of it this way: If you add an extra
  "o" to something it will get bigger and more loose.)

• It's - A contraction of the words "it" and "is" (does not indicate possession) It's going to snow today
  
• Its - Possessive form of "it" The cat hid to care for its injured paw
  

Use apostrophes correctly. One thing that I see everywhere: signs on the street, on menus, and even on television is the constant misuse of the apostrophe. I don't know who is out there telling people to overuse apostrophes, but they are not for plurals! Dogs, cats, eyes, chickens - all plurals and no apostrophes!

Apostrophes have two main uses:

1. To indicate possession Allison's dog ran away
2. To indicate a letter (or letters) have been removed, as in a contraction I can't help you (Can't is a contraction, it combines the words "can" and "not." The apostrophe is put between the "n" and "t" to show that the letters "no" have been omitted.)
   

Get your sayings right. For some reason, phrases that are common in the English language have been muddled over the years. Misusing common sayings and idioms might make a person look a little less than bright. Here are a few examples:

• Could care less - the correct phrase is "Couldn't care less." Think about it, if you could care less then you must actually care a little bit.
• All intensive purposes - The correct phrase is "All intents and purposes." I really can't explain it, just that when you break it down and think about it, the correct phrase just makes sense.
  
• Low and behold - The correct phrase is "lo and behold." While the word "lo" is archaic and not really used, that is the correct spelling of the saying.

In summary, it is important to preserve and respect the English language. I know it is a difficult one, but it is our language and we should use it correctly. I promise that if you use my tips and correct the grammatical errors in your life people will respect you more and think of you as educated instead of a gelatinous blob taking up oxygen.