I don’t correct people’s grammar out loud; that would be obnoxious and rude. But, yes, I am silently correcting grammar. I just can’t help it. When I watch the news, my behavior is like that of a crazed fan watching his favorite sports team mess up royally. “Did you really just say that?” “Was that a subject verb agreement mistake?” “Ohhhhhh!!!”
When I read advertisements or see billboards now, my teeth hurt, perhaps because I am grinding them.
I peruse Facebook and I want to yell, “Your, you’re all under arrest!
I hear people my age and older lament, “Oh, they (who are “they”, anyway?) just don’t teach grammar anymore.” I was in education for 20 years, ten as a classroom teacher and ten as a school librarian. The thing is, we do. Grammar isn’t taught the same way as it was when I was in school, but it is taught. The trouble, I think, is that teachers, sadly, must teach to the standardized test in their state, and some of the cramming results in short term knowledge that is not absorbed and used in everyday life.
I was the kid who loved diagramming sentences. I was good at it and it made sense to me. Math, not so much on both counts. (Ha! See what I did there?)
I know that language is not static. It’s constantly changing and evolving to reflect society. Grammar rules are being relaxed. Some things are not stressed at all anymore. I don’t want to be a curmudgeon as I age, so I know I need to relax as well. But I’m going to be grammatically correct while I do it.
Do you notice bad grammar? Does it bother you?
Kindel Media "A Policeman Wearing Dark Sunglasses"
Polina Zimmerman "Photo of Woman Using Laptop"
Dids "Woman Writing on Green Chalkboard"
Marcus Aurelius "Woman Holding Her Smartphone While Smiling at the Camera"
I find myself going back and checking to be sure I've said something right, because, as you said, language isn't static. That being said, I still can't accept alright. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteI can't either. Thank you for commenting.
DeletePeople misusing “I” drive me bonkers. Sometimes it is just “me.” That’s not “for Brad and I,” that’s “for Brad and me.” And for the love of all that’s holy, a coworker said, “Stephen and I’s vacation is coming up.” OMG NO. I has a possessive form. It’s my or mine. Omg whyyyyyy
ReplyDeleteSometimes I can't believe someone doesn't hear it when they say something like that.
DeletePoor grammar makes a bad impression. I know a woman who was a whiz at her job and couldn't understand why she wasn't promoted. The next step up would be working with potential customers, and her grammar was hideous. She didn't see the need to change. She retired without ever making that next step up. What really bothers me is when possessive case is misused in advertising. There used to be a billboard on Interstate 30 that included "Our's". My dad said people judge you by your speech. I believe he was correct.
ReplyDeleteYes, he was. Yes, possessive case is so misused now. Ugh!
DeleteIt's a deal!
ReplyDelete