Frustrating English

[Jusa]

When people write "peeked my interest" instead of "piqued". Or interchange "discrete" and "discreet".

I was a report editor for a few companies several years ago and was astounded at how many errors I'd find in final drafts.

 

[lastmanstanding]

The phrase I hate most is "available for sale."
"An old car is available for sale."
What do you mean? I should sell it for you? Or can I buy it? If you are selling it and I can buy it then say "available for purchase." Lol.
(Sorry English is not my native language.)

 

[Jusa]

The phrase I hate most is "available for sale."
"An old car is available for sale."
What do you mean? I should sell it for you? Or can I buy it? If you are selling it and I can buy it then say "available for purchase." Lol.
(Sorry English is not my native language.)

You understand and write it very well!

I have often wondered about native English speakers who don't speak any other languages and why they can't at least master their native tongue. I know several ESL people who are fluent in several languages and have much better English skills than many.

Just to clarify, in informal writing I get pretty sloppy and just hanging out at the lunch table with y'all I don't expect other people to have perfect grammar and spelling, either. I surely don't, especially when typing on my phone.

 

[Andy M.]

It has been an adventure for me to try to adjust to a world of little or no punctuation, bad grammar and other new-isms. While I'm adjusting, I mostly resist adopting.

 

[dragnlaw]

yeah, I hear you Andy. Propinquity might lead you into temptation.

 

[caseydog]

yeah, I hear you Andy. Propinquity might lead you into temptation.

You forgot to proofread that post, didn't you.

CD

 

[dragnlaw]

I didn't go back and capitalize "yeah"? Nah, too busy trying to decipher your post on Mango's in What's in your salt?

 

[caseydog]

Yeah, it looks like "couldn't" got replaced by "could." I'm blaming it on autocorrect.

CD

 

[onedaychef]

I enjoy reading 1 and 2 star ratings for hotels and restaurants - they're both educational and entertaining.

Something though I have long been aware of, is how verbose certain folk can become when complaining... and then they try to use 'big' words and phrases like they're a cross between Shakespeare and Rumpole of the Bailey, but either are too emotional to properly proofread or actually have no idea of the words they are/should be using in the context...