An article to put grammar nazis in their place

When I first starting writing I was advised to obey all the *rules*. When I pointed out that certain best-selling authors disobeyed all the *rules* I was told it was acceptable for them because they were best-selling authors. So the moral of the story is...
 
When I first starting writing I was advised to obey all the *rules*. When I pointed out that certain best-selling authors disobeyed all the *rules* I was told it was acceptable for them because they were best-selling authors. So the moral of the story is...
The moral of the story is to learn the rules and then decide which ones you want to break and why. :D
 
This reminds me of Orwell's last rule for writing: "Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous."

The following sentence appeared in the verbal section of a 2002 College Board exam, and students were asked to identify an error if there was one: Toni Morrison’s genius enables her to create novels that arise from and express the injustices African Americans have endured.

Surely the error here is that that is a really clunky sentence?
 
I don't consider myself a grammar Nazi; languages evolve and change over time. But there are some things that are common and just outright wrong. One that seems to be incredibly popular here on the Chrons is using "your" when the intention is "you're." Sorry but that one drives me up the wall for some reason. I guess it just seems lazy to me.
 
This reminds me of Orwell's last rule for writing: "Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous."



Surely the error here is that that is a really clunky sentence?

Toni Morrison’s genius enables her to create novels that arise from, and express the injustices that African Americans have endured.
 
I don't consider myself a grammar Nazi; languages evolve and change over time. But there are some things that are common and just outright wrong. One that seems to be incredibly popular here on the Chrons is using "your" when the intention is "you're." Sorry but that one drives me up the wall for some reason. I guess it just seems lazy to me.

Their just wrong to repeatedly do that. :)
 
I don't consider myself a grammar Nazi; languages evolve and change over time. But there are some things that are common and just outright wrong. One that seems to be incredibly popular here on the Chrons is using "your" when the intention is "you're." Sorry but that one drives me up the wall for some reason. I guess it just seems lazy to me.

I feel the same. Along with then and than.

I think there's a strong case of buyer-beware in these e-writing times when our software often makes the most egregious substitutions on 'autocorrect'.

Homophones are one thing - and pretty easy to correct - but there's a side to the language-evolving argument that really appals me. The invention of new phrases or rebadging of words to sex them up. Not grammar per se but it just grates on me.

Do you say 'tip' or 'life hack'? Or my Beth noir (;) ) Britons who say 'can I get' instead of 'can/may I have'. I hear this all the time and always meanly ask the person where they're from (in America). (Passive/aggression seems the best way to handle such things ;) )

I know more - or rather have a clearer grasp - on French grammar than English, because at school we didn't learn any grammar except in French lessons. In fact coming to chrons is where I learnt all that - and latterly via Strunk. I'm still trying to get my head round semicolons even though I know the rule.

If I make mistakes I want to be picked up on them. I'm not precious, just a fallible grammar fascist myself. ;)

My blog is littered with typos and errors which I correct via edit days, weeks, etc later because I splurge-blog my streams of consciousness. I also admit to resorting to 'tho' in threads, messages and emails for some odd indefensible reason.

My sign off pH is twofold - so people can have a short form of my name when mentioning me in threads, but the lack of the p's capitalisation is purely a personal conceit, referencing my constantly striving for balance through the bitternesses and sweetnesses of life.

pH
 
My biggest grammar pet peeve is "alot". "We had alot of grits!" grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

(LOL - it must be a pet peeve of the auto-correct too! Had to type it 'wrong' 3 times before it took!)
 
Can I just point out that 'nazi' in the title of this thread should capitalised. It's a proper noun.
Was waiting for someone to point that out. ;^)

I considered capitalizing Nazi, then I thought I'd leave it.

Then/Than confusion is also a pet peeve of mine.
 

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