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Jeebo

(2,553 posts)

39. I am a bit of a grammar freak.

Tue Jan 13, 2026, 12:19 AM

Yesterday

Last edited Tue Jan 13, 2026, 02:14 PM - Edit history (1)

I retired 11 years ago after 45 years in the newsroom of a morning newspaper. For some reason, some grammar errors don't really bother me, but there are quite a few that drive me up the wall. There is the difference between "lie" and "lay", for example. Many of my former co-workers don't get that. Ditto the difference between between "waiting for" and "waiting on". "Waiting on" is an active state; "waiting for" is a passive state. That's why your waitperson in your favorite restaurant is actively waiting on you, while you are sitting there passively waiting while the waitperson is filling your order. I have lots more, but no time to think of them now. Some have been noted in this thread by other posters, though.

-- Ron

On edit: Fixed misspelling, can't believe I did that. I worked as a proofreader for that newspaper, too, but that was 50+ years ago, and my aging eyes just can't spot typos like they used to.

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Skittles

55 replies

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Highlight:

Grammatical pet peeves [View all] Jilly_in_VA Monday OP

To play "Outstanding" justaprogressive Monday #1

Asking "Right?" following every other statement. Frasier Balzov Monday #2

Diversion Greatly Appreciated! The Roux Comes First Monday #3

To quote Calvin and Hobbes Jilly_in_VA Monday #4

The journalism problem comes from fewer and fewer actual editors on the job... Wounded Bear Monday #20

I Wholly Agree About the Underemployment of Those Trained in Correct Use of the Language in Print The Roux Comes First Monday #37

I have never known a spell checker that knew better than I on common text... Wounded Bear 16 hrs ago #41

All of the... 2naSalit Monday #5

apostrophes used to make a plural yellow dahlia Monday #32

"Irregardless" drives me insane as does your #1 re: "Of" instead of "have". LoisB Monday #6

Same here question everything Monday #14

"Invite" used as a noun. Croney Monday #7

I have an particular dislike for "impactful." I find it clunky and awkward. 3catwoman3 4 hrs ago #55

Everything listed on the thread but lately, all the "Gamer" terms for everything: "Level Up," most hlthe2b Monday #8

Using "I" instead of me as the object of a preposition. Thinking Diane on Cheers among many. efhmc Monday #9

Great minds think alike! MIButterfly Monday #11

It is odd that people mess this up so much. 3catwoman3 Monday #24

With you. yellow dahlia Monday #33

I have just recently become aware of "level up". I do not understand it at all. LoisB Monday #16

People misusing "I" and "me." MIButterfly Monday #10

Just reading those examples made me want to scream. efhmc Monday #12

Nor do you hear anyone say, "Us had our picture taken." 3catwoman3 Monday #25

How about that song "Me and Julio down by the schoolyard"? CTyankee 7 hrs ago #52

Improper use of between and among. Callalily Monday #13

"Media" and "data" are plural nouns Rastapopoulos Monday #15

I could care less. boonecreek Monday #17

Then/than sorcrow Monday #18

Nope. Sorry. Number 2 has led to two whole generation who think "What to know" is a question. Iggo Monday #19

I'll throw in misuse of "lose" and "loose".... Wounded Bear Monday #21

it is odd Skittles Monday #30

In the Liberty Mutual "Limu Emu" commercials, Totally Tunsie Monday #22

Sadly, that kind of twisted language makes good ad copy... Wounded Bear 16 hrs ago #42

"I" being turned into a possessive, as in John and I's vacation. Aauuugggghhhhh! 3catwoman3 Monday #23

Ask as a noun. Grrr Blues Heron Monday #26

I'm an author... Rizen Monday #27

Incorrect apostrophes...it's.. it's surfered Monday #28

Thank you! Examples: "Go Cub's!" "The Smith's" MIButterfly 15 hrs ago #47

"I SEEN" Skittles Monday #29

Finger nails on the blackboard. yellow dahlia Monday #34

I used to see it in work emails Skittles Yesterday #38

Ugh! yellow dahlia 8 hrs ago #50

OH and using CAUSE instead of BECAUSE Skittles 5 hrs ago #53

I feel using real sentence structure and words that mean something helps keep us sharp. yellow dahlia 5 hrs ago #54

"What do you got?", or "what have you got?"... Enter stage left Monday #31

Blame Gibbs... Wounded Bear 16 hrs ago #43

AnywayS. I hear it on tv often, and I correct the person. yellow dahlia Monday #35

"It was like, really funny!" bif Monday #36

I am a bit of a grammar freak. Jeebo Yesterday #39

Now you're getting into regionalisms, though Jilly_in_VA 20 hrs ago #40

"regionalisms" are still incorrect Skittles 11 hrs ago #48

"Grammer" is a common misspelling Ptah 16 hrs ago #44

Nucular instead of Nuclear Talitha 16 hrs ago #45

Using "normal" to mean average GreatGazoo 15 hrs ago #46

Saying you're "filming" with your cell phone. Jeebo 11 hrs ago #49

Improper use of reflexive enid602 8 hrs ago #51