Nuances and Idiosyncrasies of the English Language
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I feel like the Oxford Comma argument is just extremely frustrating, because in my head at least, both options have ways of making sense. I'd actually argue that the inclusion of the comma feels less conversational, adding a sort of unnecessary pause that could feel almost theatrical. That said, using it when writing ultimately just came to make sense to me.
Writing conversationally is a big thing, though — I do that a lot and see no problem with it. I think you can be that way and also be a stickler for grammar in other situations. It's just preference.
"Should of" is just unforgivable in my eyes, like I take a person down several intelligence rungs in my mind if I see them write it. I also had a coworker that said "makes since" instead of "sense" and man... I get irritable just thinking about it.
Had an ex who said "I feel badly" constantly and I was so happy to say goodbye to that (and other things) when our relationship ended.
"Between you and I" UGH.
The obscure one that makes me nuts is "chomping at the bit." Sounds weird, but it's "champing."
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Like I said above, that third comma is spoken as a pause when you’re listing more than two items. Try to not pause before the last list item in that scenario: “I have pen and pencil ready” (no pause) versus “I have pen, pencil, and eraser ready” (pauses at each comma). I really should have made that the primary argument because it’s even more sound than the syntactic arguments; my background in computer science and studying linguistics in that as well as English academic contexts kind of weighted my arguments towards logic and syntax where really it’s as simple as mirroring the spoken word correctly.
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Oh yeah I don't correct people — my dad screwed me up enough doing that shit to me. Luckily I've come to know better than to make other people feel responsible for my own neuroses.
Note: I edited this post enough to be like "hm probably should schedule a therapy appointment"
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My mom corrected me ceaselessly. I’m at least grateful that I have good posture and a healthy back from the prohibition of slouching, but yeah, someone else is welcome to have my neuroses
There are even trivia like saying “lay down!” to the dog that bug me, though I dare not correct my wife when she says it. I just always say “lie down!” and hope she notices one day
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The only practical thing to do would be to let go…
…but if that were possible it wouldn’t be a neurosis.
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@EdH Well that changes things for me
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@mclaincausey YOU FORGOT, ALL CAPS
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@Matt said in Nuances and Idiosyncrasies of the English Language:
I’m rest my case.
Are you just trying to goad the people on this thread or what?
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@goosehd was that really mecessary!
