The last book I read had two errors in it. I found them without looking, so I can only imagine if I had been... It used 'He' when it should have said 'She' and it seriously had 'a lot' spelled as one word.
My two biggest pet peeves in the written language: People who spell 'a lot' as one word.. and people who omit the last comma when listing a series of something. For example: I do not like bananas, grapefruit and oatmeal.
I've only been told to lighten up twice this week.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Pet Peeves
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8 comments:
I actually was typing up a letter to a client at work, and my BOSS told me to get rid of the last comma... I was irritated.
I told DH that his spelling skills are what made me love him. LOL! It's one of my pet peeves, too. it bugs me alot.
;)
Ummm, I think I read that the last comma can be left out and still have the sentence be punctuated properly. But what do I know, I'm just a Canadian :)
I think the big difference in the comma thing is old school vs. new school. I've heard to leave it in for clarity, but yes, technically it is ok either way. Unless you are uptight, like me.
I cringe when I see homework from school that has it left out. It's like the teachers are letting the kids be lazy. I.need.help.
I personally prefer the new school version because it seems redundant to separate that last part twice by an "and" and a comma. Figures I have a boss who requires me to use it. :p
Oh, and I have WAY more issues with misused apostrophes. How about you, Christi?
I, too, like the final serial comma IN -- it just helps to minimize any chance for misunderstanding. If you have a list of 3 terms that are one word each, no biggie, but when you get into lists of terms that have modifiers or are otherwise complex, it's better to leave it in. And if you include the final comma in one series, for heaven's sake put it in ALL of them. Consistency is a biggie. LOL at Karen. Just a friendly note from the Griffin's. (my pet peeve)
Talk about stuff from school driving you crazy. Last year the newsletter that Olivia brought home ever week was called "Kindergarten Korner." DH forbade me to say ANYTHING about it b/c he knew it made me so angry I think he was afraid I'd explode and lose my job there. :p
Lydia
Oh, yeah, nice comma splice and typo there, Lydia. LOL!! I will admit, I am a comma junkie and very much tend, to overuse, than underuse, them. (Lydia, herself)
I'm not as good with apostrophes. I try to remember the rules, but I tend to type like I would talk. I throw in the commas where I would pause. Spelling... well let's put it this way, spelling is the only subject I ever received a 'C' in. It was in the 3rd grade - I've never fully recovered. Many times my guess is so bad that even Word can't come up with a suggestion.
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