The Grammar Thread 1.0 - Common Mistakes We Make

[gamhacked]

Right, first off, this is my first thread. Next, I apologize if a duplicate exists.

I hope this won't offend anyone, as its intention is not condescension, but to inform those curious to learn. I am not one to scorn, laugh at or look down upon those who, for whatever reason, express themselves... differently - will do. This thread seeks simply to list the commonest slips and errors made by our beloved fellow gamers. I hope you find this post informative, perhaps so much as fun, and that it enlightens you, even if with regards to just a single word.

As the thread grows and people provide their responses, I will integrate valid suggestions into the opening post and thus expand the list.


Enjoy!



Rules

By popular demand, I've decided to add a very basic Rules section. By no means am I a grammarian, nor is this little experiment scarcely anything beyond a hobby, nor do I profess to possess flawless English, so I hope I don't miss the nail altogether.


Apostrophe '

In general, this lofty little fella is used for two reasons:

1) To imply possession or ownership

"Thrall's balls to the walls.'' which means the same as ''The balls of Thrall to the wall'' or ''Thrall - his balls to the wall''

"Grom's brother's uncle's cousin's nephew's great-grandfather's horse's saddle's pin broke." could be restated as "The pin of the horse of the great-grandfather of the nephew of the cousin of the uncle of the brother of Grom broke."

2) To shorten two words commonly used in succession by omitting or leaving out one or more letters.

''There's something King Varian's not telling you.'' which is like ''There is something King Varian is not telling you.''

"Could've done this; should've done that; might've gone here; must've been there." equates to "Could have done this; should have done that; might have gone here; must have been there."



Case

In German, all nouns are capitalized. In English, this is not the case. Proper nouns, which designate unique entities, however, are. This group includes all names, whether of places, people or objects which refer to these entities without any predefined description.

Common nouns, on the other hand, are the words that categorize proper nouns into easily identifiable groups.

Proper nouns: John, Paris, Nokia
Common nouns: person, city, phone

The only other time you have to worry about capitalization in English is when writing out a title, most of whose constituents will customarily begin with an uppercase letter ('of', 'to', 'an', 'and' etc. are often exceptions to this rule).



The Indefinite Article

The English alphabet is divided into two distinct types of sounds: vowels and consonants.
Vowels are sounds that are produced with an open vocal tract. The letters we use to denote them are: A E I O U
Consonants, on the other hand, require for a closed tract to resound: B C D F G H J K L M N P Q R S T V W X (Y) Z

In English, the indefinite article has two forms whose manifestation depends on the initial of the following word.
If the following word begins with a consonant, the article takes on the form a.
If the following word begins with a vowel, the article takes on the form an.

Consonants: a beast, a cat, a donkey, a fox, a goat, a horse, a jackal, a swan, a tiger, a yak, a zebra
Vowels: an asp, an eel, an impala, an oryx, an urchin



Grammatical Mistakes

it's =/= its [omission via apostrophe vs. personal pronoun 'its']

It's time to go [It is time to go] as opposed to Its time to go

Its fur is soft as opposed to It's fur is soft


to =/= too [infinitive vs. connector]

Do I really have to? as opposed to Do I really have too?

I can help you, too as opposed to I can help you to


things =/= thing's [pluralization error]

All things happen for a reason as opposed to All thing's happen for a reason


thinks =/= think's [third person - no apostrophe]

He thinks he's up to the task as opposed to[COLOR="Red"] He think's he's up to the task[/COL OR]


your =/= you're [possession vs. omission]

My, your gear looks impressive as opposed to My, you're gear looks impressive

You're [You are] a hero if ever I saw one as opposed to Your a hero if ever I saw one!


they're =/= there =/= their [omission vs. pronoun/adverb vs. possession]

They're [They are] the ones to blame as opposed to Their the ones to blame or There the ones to blame

There are 12 races to choose from as opposed to Their are 12 races to choose from or They're are 12 races to choose from

Their people have suffered as opposed to They're people have suffered as opposed to There people have suffered


we're =/= were =/= where [omission vs. past plural of 'be' vs. adverb]

We're [We are] locked in battle as opposed to Were locked in battle or Where locked in battle

The elves were first to use magic as opposed to The elves where first to use magic or The elves we're first to use magic

Where have you been? as opposed to We're have you been? or Were have you been?


it has =/= it have [singular-plural disagreement]

It has been a pleasure, gentlemen as opposed to It have been a pleasure, gentlemen


than =/= then [conjunction vs. adverb]

Thrall is wiser than Garrosh as opposed to Thrall is wiser then Garrosh

Then, I laughed heartily as opposed to Than, I laughed heartily


break =/= brake [word confusion]

Careful not to break that vase as opposed to Careful not to brake that vase

Brake your car to make it stop as opposed to Break your car to make it stop


loss =/= lose [noun mistaking]

Our team mourned the loss as opposed to Our team mourned the lose


failure =/= fail [noun mistaking]

This was considered a failure by the Alliance rather than This was considered a fail by the Alliance


affect =/= effect [verb vs. noun]

I hope this won't affect you negatively as opposed to I hope this won't effect you negatively

The effect your rule has had on our people is staggering as opposed to The affect your rule has had on our people is staggering



Phrase Mishaps

I couldn't care less =/= I could care less [opposite meaning]

I am agnostic - I couldn't care less about God as opposed to I am agnostic - I could care less about God



Mispronunciations

asterisk *

'asterisk' vs 'asteriks'



Spelling

a lot =/= alot

A lot has happened this year as opposed to Alot has happened this year


lag =/= lagg

Lag is the primary cause of gamer dissatisfaction as opposed to Lagg is the primary cause of gamer dissatisfaction


queue =/= que

I joined the queue as opposed to I joined the que


separate =/= seperate

Keep work and play separate as opposed to Keep work and play seperate


definitely =/= definately

The gnomes definitely have pizzazz as opposed to The gnomes definately have pizzazz


existence = / = existance

The purported existence of magic has vexed many a mortal man as opposed to The existance of magic has vexed many a mortal man


ridiculous =/= rediculous

The king looks ridiculous in his pink garb as opposed to The king looks rediculous in his pink garb


achievement =/= archivement


My, that's quite the achievement! as opposed to My, that's quite the archivement!


lose =/= loose

I get upset whenever I lose a duel =/= I get upset whenever I loose a duel

A warrior cannot do battle with loose greaves =/= A warrior cannot do battle with lose greaves


could have =/= could of

This meeting could have proven fatal as opposed to This meeting could of proven fatal



Warcraft-Related Slips


elves =/= elfs

Quel'thalas is inhabited by elves as opposed to Quel'thalas is inhabited by elfs


dwarves =/= dwarfs

The dwarves are a stout, hearty race as opposed to The dwarfs are a stout, hearty race


tauren =/= taurens

The peaceful, noble tauren dwell in Mulgore as opposed to The peaceful, noble taurens dwell in Mulgore


worgen =/= worgens

Worgen are able to change their form at will as opposed to Worgens are able to change their form at will


rogue =/= rouge

The rogue utilizes stealth to surprise his foes as opposed to The rouge utilizes stealth to surprise his foes


enhancement =/= enchantment

A shaman can specialize in enhancement to fight in melee as opposed to A shaman can specialize in enchantment to fight in melee

This weapon bears the 'Berserking' enchantment as opposed to [though acceptable] This weapon bears the 'Berserking' enhancement


Outland =/= Outlands

Step through the Dark Portal and into Outland as opposed to Step through the Dark Portal and into Outlands


Oculus =/= Occulus

The Oculus lies just above the Nexus as opposed to The Occulus lies just above the Nexus


Naxxramas =/= Naxramas

Naxxramas was featured twice in different versions of the game as opposed to Naxramas was featured twice in different versions of the game

meeting stone =/= summoning stone

Summon us! Use the meeting stone! as opposed to Summon us! Use the summoning stone!

[Steavz]

There's a grammar debate thread 6 posts down from this one. (at the time of this writing)

http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...r-is-important.

[gamhacked]

That's actually what inspired me to write this.

This one is more informative than argumentative.

[Yavannie]

You've only actually stated the grammatical reasoning/rule for one of these examples. While examples are good, qualifications are even better. Also, dwarves/dwarfs are equally acceptable. See for instance Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

[gamhacked]

You've only actually stated the grammatical reasoning/rule for one of these examples. While examples are good, qualifications are even better.

I included "[pluralization error]" next to "things =/= thing's" because of contextual ambiguity: "thing's" does have meaning, but in a different situation (where one aims to express the possession of a 'thing'). In contrast, "think's" has no ostensible meaning, thus requiring no explanation. I feel the other cases are unambiguous as well. I'll review the comparisons, regardless.

Also, dwarves/dwarfs are equally acceptable. See for instance Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

In general, yes, but when discussing the world of Warcraft and its elements, racial and place names are given a singular, distinct spelling. Therefore, when speaking in this context, we talk about orcs, not orks; dwarves rather than dwarfs; and elves, as opposed to elfs.

[Twoflower]

Their, there and they're.

[Steavz]

That's actually what inspired me to write this.

This one is more informative than argumentative.

You really think this one is going to go in a different direction? Given the identical nature of the thread titles, the debate will ensue in the same fashion in this thread.

[gamhacked]

You really think this one is going to go in a different direction? Given the identical nature of the thread titles, the debate will ensue in the same fashion in this thread.

Well, as a precaution in light of this, I am doing my best to be neutral and withhold all contempt for the methods of others. The community is as it is, and we can do our part in helping out, but hatred seldom fosters positive change.

As much as I'd like to see correct English observed, all I can do is contribute what little I can, and hope.

[Steavz]

Well, as a precaution in light of this, I am doing my best to be neutral and withhold all contempt for the methods of others. The community is as it is, and we can do our part in helping out, but hatred seldom fosters positive change.

As much as I'd like to see correct English observed, all I can do is contribute what little I can, and hope.

I commend that. You have to realize though, that your stance isn't neutral, you've already taken ground on the side of 'proper grammar' in the OP, as opposed to 'lulz, don't mattur m8, eng is for noobz'. I'd hardly refer to the debate in the other thread as 'hatred' oriented. People have opinions, those opinions differ, and turn into debates. There are compelling arguments from all sides in the other thread, all (ok, most) of which are valid. As you can see by the posts already made, this thread will be completely identical to the other one.

Next, I apologize if a duplicate exists.

Should change that up a bit, because you knew one did.

[gamhacked]

You have to realize though, that your stance isn't neutral

Neutral in the sense that I seek to inform, rather than to further a point. The sole purpose of this post is to show what is correct. Debating these examples would be fruitless, because they are facts, not claims.

Should change that up a bit, because you knew one did.

The only similarity I see between your thread and mine is the subject matter. They fork when their intent becomes plain: yours is an argumentative thesis exemplified by its title, and mine is a list of common mistakes and their rectification.

Again, I put forth this list for purposes of aggregated reference, not dispute.

[Zecora]

Kudos Gamhacked, it's a nice thread!

[gamhacked]

Kudos Gamhacked, it's a nice thread!

Thank you!

[Steavz]

As I said, I commend your intent. I see very little difference in what the titles in both threads convey. My opinion still stands that this thread is (or will shortly become) a duplicate. My opinion is that you are just splitting hairs, as they say. My thread was about how silly poor spelling would sound if dictated, as you can see, it turned into a debate on the importance of proper grammar. This one is even more focused on that specific subject, so it will inevitably go that direction.

Anyway, I feel I've over done my point. Let me say again, I see where you are coming from, but you have to see where this is going.

[Deleted]

As I said, I commend your intent. I see very little difference in what the titles in both threads convey. My opinion still stands that this thread is (or will shortly become) a duplicate. My opinion is that you are just splitting hairs, as they say. My thread was about how silly poor spelling would sound if dictated, as you can see, it turned into a debate on the importance of proper grammar. This one is even more focused on that specific subject, so it will inevitably go that direction.

Anyway, I feel I've over done my point. Let me say again, I see where you are coming from, but you have to see where this is going.

The only difference being that your thread started off being condescending as hell?

Suggesting to add where, were. Also perhaps add a note about how dwarfs is valid as a verb.

[saberon]

I like.

For chapter two, can we please cover "How to not make a wall of text" and "Take a breath - Full stops are there for a reason"

[gamhacked]

Anyway, I feel I've over done my point. Let me say again, I see where you are coming from, but you have to see where this is going.

I hope both our threads at least partially succeed in their aims. Whether my hopes of informing and satiating an inquisitive mind or two devolve into a caustic polemic, time will tell.

I like.

For chapter two, can we please cover "How to not make a wall of text" and "Take a breath - Full stops are there for a reason"

I'll see what I can throw together.

Suggesting to add where, were. Also perhaps add a note about how dwarfs is valid as a verb.

Good suggestions; I'm on it.

[Manito]

I was going to say something about using "commonest" as opposed to "most common", but then I looked it up. You are correct sir. Good thread. People should learn and understand these differences. They are important, even when talking to the "I ain't no English teacher" person. Saying "Your dumb" when trying to insult someone, only makes you look dumb. Thank you for the thread.

[Wezmon]

One of the most common mistakes I see is "rediculous". I must see that once a week.

[placeholdername]

Good job writing this up; it's very annoying when people make all those mistakes consistently.

Also,

rogue =/= rouge

The rogue utilizes stealth to surprise his foes as opposed to The rouge utilizes stealth to surprise his foes

This one makes me want to stab somebody in the face... every time I see it. I've even heard someone once pronounce my class as "rouge". My zombie ninja is not a physical embodiment of the french word for red, damn it!

[Termy]

I could still think of plenty mistakes to go on that list.

Also, you should think about explaining when to use elf versus elves. Using elf in plural is bad enough, but elves in singular would make me stab people.

That elf sure is annoying.

Those elves sure are funny.