I don’t feel as strongly as some of my fellow bloggers about grammar and incorrect word usage.
Mistakes are part of writing, and for the most part it doesn’t really bother me to see them (unless I publish my own typo). They definitely distract me when I’m reading, but I’m not going to skewer anyone on social media for it. Most of the time these mistakes just make me laugh.
I wrote an early post about some of the funnier word mix ups I’ve seen. Not my best work, but I still think it’s mildly funny, and the examples still make me laugh.
I thought I’d bring up another one today.
It’s the word anyways.
Not really a word.
My brain does this when I see it or hear it:
Pick one of the ways. original image credit: nickelodeon.com.
If you use “anyways” in speech or writing, I’m only picking on you a little bit today.
We can still be friends, but know that I am briefly picturing you cat dogging around town trying to figure out which way to go every time you say it.
So anyways…how did CatDog go to the bathroom?
The world may never know, but I think I’d like to have a cat dog.
Get on it science.
Happy Friday!
I think we should all replace your and you’re with ur.
Ugghhh–disagree.
Text shorthand outside of texting bugs me. Uranus is the mind association I have with Ur used in place of a real word.
Not that you asked for that opinion!
Rachelle, I’ve got your back on this. U drives me crazy. Really? That Yo was just too much for you? Andrew, U are silly anyways.
Hahaha! He is silly anyways. Welcome to my blog comments Andy.
I have to re-read my stuff 100 times and, even then, I still find mistakes. I’m dyslexic so I’m sensitive to criticism when it comes to my writing. I really dislike it when people are persnickety. It’s like, “Oh my gosh, settle down!” I love this post for that reason. Let’s laugh at mistakes, it’s so much more fun! Anyways, life is too short! haha!
I’m glad you mentioned dyslexia. This is why I try not to be the grammar police with everyone and never on someone else’s blog. You just never know what other people are dealing with and when you might stick your foot in your mouth with needless criticism. We should all settle down and laugh about it, because we all make mistakes in our writing. I always smile when someone says anyways because this cartoon pops in my mind every time, and cartoons are fun.
I have caught myself writing “so” and “just” a lot lately. Happy Friday:)
Some of my pet words as well! Happy Friday!
I don’t care, I like reading/making mistakes anyways. Grammar is ridonk.
Totes!
I love this. Thanks so much for the laugh : )
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
I’m not sure if I use it or not, but I’ll certainly be on the lookout now. Especially if I’m commenting on your blog…
I can’t say I’ve ever seen you use it, but if you did, it would make me smile because CatDOG!
I’m freaking out because I know my dyslexia is going to play tricks on me, so I’ll keep this comment short.
I loved “Proof that America doesn’t read”
I’m so glad you and Lisa mentioned dyslexia. The fact that so many struggle with that is even more of a reason cut people some slack and try not to be so critical. Formal writing and cover letters are the places to police grammar. Happy you liked it, and that you took the time to click over on such an early blog. Hope you have a great weekend!
Hmm, kind of wish “anyways” were a word. I’m not guilty of that one but I do need to remind myself that not every sentence needs to start with “So, anyway…”
I use so anyway a lot too!
i think we shld fire all grammar teachers and just focus on communicating ideas/feelings however you can get them across to the other person. that’s hard enough to do without worrying about grammar yo. see, i do use yo, just not in ur!
I know a few English teachers who would probably object to being fired, but I can respect your sentiment that the communication of ideas is more important than grammar. Since I know you have the foundational knowledge of how to correctly write and use your and you’re, I can overlook that you prefer to use ur; however, I think we’re dumbing down our language too much as it is. It’s a disservice to our kids who probably spend more time on Urban Dictionary than using a real dictionary. Now, go tell CCF that all the grammar teachers should be fired
I’ll wait here.
ha!! so funny. anyways, got to run. sorry, just wanted to give you the cat/dog image in your head….
Thanks! Catdog!!!
i guess i’m saying the real problem is we think we need grammar rules in order to communicate, or that we rely on the grammar to do the communicating, rather than paying attention to how the other person receives our message. but no, i don’t wanna get bi*ched out buy my old teachers, so this is incognito.
*by
Didn’t even notice the typo until you pointed it out.
I understand what you’re saying, I think, I just love the written words and books, so I do think it’s important. No one should be judged by their grammar alone.
I just disagree that text shorthand needs to replace the language we already have.
Are we really so busy that the whole language needs to be truncated?
I was kidding about CCF
dammit – see what i mean!
We’ve botched up the language pretty good by now. I think the social media has something to do with it. Also, I don’t think we write as formally any more. We like to write as we talk. It’s good to throw this out there. I’m always frustrated when I have a typo. If you see one on my post you can tell me.
I agree. Social media and text play a big part in it. It scares me when I try to read classics and have to look up every other word (when I like to think I have a decent vocabulary). I fear that all those works will be lost on future generations who may not even try to read them as language continues to get more casual.
Thanks for your comment!
What about “anyhoo”? I like that word. And I’m always making fragments. Like that one there! And run on sentences all the time even though I’m like an English major and I should know better but at least; I do know when I’m doing something wrong – usually – I just don’t care. We can just call it stylistic here.
I enjoy a good anyhoo! And I frag around with fragments, run ons and made up words all the time too. My understanding of comma placement and the semi-colon also need serious work.
There are just certain words that bring up cartoon images for me.
As long as you know the rules, you can call just about anything style, right? I’m going with that
I don’t mind casual language and tone especially on blogs.
Thanks for commenting, and congratulations again on FP!
Libary makes me cringe. So does irregardless but who really cares? I’ve known geniuses who can’t spell worth a damn. I’m a great speller so if that determines the genius thing…anyways….
Libary also makes me cringe. Maybe the worst example I’ve seen lately happened last night watching an epidsode of Family Fued. The question was, name a word that ends in the letter x. Sex was the number one answer…but one woman said, tex. “You know, like when you tex someone?” Aghhh!!!! I agree though, who really cares. It’s a blip on the screen and then I’m off to other things! Anyways
Irrigardless — I dont even know how you would spell it, but that one that one I make fun of whenever I get the chance. Anyways… see ya.
I make fun of that one too. Usually just in my mind though.
My drama team kids here in FL say “anyways!” Drives me nuts!! I correct them all the time!! Don’t recall kids in my classes in NJ saying it! Is it a more Southern thing??? But, believe me…I’ve got my favorite words to ruin, also!!
I love grammar posts!!!
It is possibly a southern thing. I do hear it more with younger kids as well. Keep correcting
maybe we can eradicate the spread of the word.
Okay…now it’s my mission!!
I’m with you on the text language. Using ur outside of a text is wrong!
I’m glad we can still be friends anyway
I tried to “Like” your post but my Gravitar didn’t show up, so I’m writing this to see if it appears. Have you written anything on the use and misuse of the ‘?
Some glitches in WP lately. I have not written about that subject. I’m afraid I make those errors too often to judge them harshly!
Good lesson!
If you ever see it in my writing, it’s a typo. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Me too.
i hate writing.
I don’t agree with their context, BUT my anecdote to bad grammar and misspelled words, is to read the New York Times. That paper is impeccable. I love them! (Wall Street Journal comes in second)
I’ve always thought that the best way to learn/polish grammar and word usage is to read. Then read some more. While the grammar lessons of my youth had little chance of sticking, reading words put together correctly continues to be the best way for me to recognize when my own sentences are a little off. Thanks for your comment!
I hate reading too though.
Hi. What you say is true BUT, you have to be careful what and where you read. I can’t tell you the typos and grammatical mistakes I find on such news icons such as USA Today, Newsweek, The Daily Beast. Perhaps with the shrinking economy and all the cutbacks, that’s the reason why. It is getting worse and worse each and everyday.
I am thankful for my outstanding, private high school education back in the 60′s-70′s when speaking well and writing perfectly was the rule, NOT the exception.
(and for keyboarding…….who knew?)
Good luck to you.
It’s not spelling or grammar, but I’m really bad for what I call ‘cave man talk’. I write so fast and all the words are in my head but they don’t end up on the paper. Sometimes, I miss adding important words!
I do that a lot too. Sometimes my brain can’t keep up with my typing! Love the cave man talk.
Now I have the CatDog theme song stuck in my head. Also? Stealing the phrase “cat dogging around town…”
I have no idea how they (it?) went to the bathroom. It’s one of the great unsolved mysteries of our time.
I think I stole that from a comedian myself, so feel free to recycle it! I wish I could remember where I heard it. It is a mystery. Like Donald’s missing pants, and why children loved the Telletubbies.
Anyways… what’s for dinner? ^.^
I have to admit that I’m pretty anal when it comes to grammar and spelling, but only in my own writing. Other bloggers can write however/whatever they want and it doesn’t bother me. And I’m going to resist the urge to use “Anyways” now. You’re welcome.
I understand that completely. I try to catch my own errors too, except when I’m making up words and using phrases for humor’s sake. There are just certain words that set off mind tangents for me.
Anyways, thank you!
Oh yes, I have the verbal tick “anyways” to bring myself back on topic. For sure. I feel like most of my writing is full of incorrect grammar/verbal ticks that would get me flunked out of my old English courses in which I supposedly have a degree. At least I’m not ending in a preposition, eh?
Very true, although I’ve heard people say that old proposition at the end of a sentence grammar nugget is antiquated now. I’m more likely to say so anyway to get back on topic, but that is probably just as bad!
I flout many grammar rules recklessly. I particularly enjoy fragments and ending sentences with a preposition. The preposition one in particular tends to result in a formal tone if followed strictly. And I don’t like that. Hehe.
I would never correct someone else’s spelling or grammar on their blog, but if a post shows a complete disregard for the distinction between its/it’s, your/you’re, and their/there, I probably won’t read it. It’s just painful to read.
I’ve been shocked at the number of spelling and basic grammatical mistakes (like its/it’s) I see in our local paper every day. Either the newspaper is no longer using copywriters or someone should be fired, because it really is disgraceful.
I agree, and I don’t like the formality of correcting around prepositions at the end of the sentence either.
I had to stop following a blog because the author refused to use capitalization. Anywhere.
While I can appreciate it as a style choice, it became painful for me to look at.
I agree that papers and publications have become lax on some of the more basic grammar rules. It’s pretty sad.
I think I have a clear conscious on “anyways.” I’m guilty of that and so to some extent on my blog, but go after them pretty hard in my writing.