Things I'll never learn

[amari_z]

When I was a kid I had the hardest time distinguishing between 'b' and 'd' and between 'p' and 'q.' It gave me fits and many tears were shed. Although it took me a while, I've pretty much gotten those straight, but there are still a number of words or rules of grammar that I can never, ever keep in my head. The top contenders:

lie, lay--I often get it right by chance, but if I have to be sure, I must look it up. Every single damn time.

loose/lose and choose/chose--for some reason I can't get these right, even though I know which one to say--I just can't seem to spell the one I want.

breathe/breath--same as above.

effect/affect--I know the rule, but I still get it wrong sometimes when I don't think about it.

like/as--I've pretty much surrendered on this one. I'm sure I use 'like' incorrectly all the time. I blame my California upbringing.

Not to say, of course, that I don't have many, many other problems. Feel free to point them out.

Comments

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

Hey welcome--and I love grammar nerdiness, although I don't really have the type of mind to really aspire to be grammar stickler myself. Way too careless and I think I goofed off too much in elementary school and never really learned the finer points.

And isn't e-mail really a grammar free zone? I think there's a law or something. ; )

[park-ave-pirate.livejournal.com]

As a certified Grammar Geek I have a protocol to follow and an image to uphold. Nothing is sacred in the world o'grammar, a sad but true fact of life. Although, I haven't crossed the line to judging others. That would be mean/beatchy.

Thanks for having a funny blog. Mine is a mindless wander through my lame world.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/park_ave_pirate

J

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

LOL. Mind if I friend you? I'd love to have a grammar geek to consult--and I'm sure you're not boring.

[park-ave-pirate.livejournal.com]

You can totally "friend" me. I will do the same. Look at the can of worms you opened regarding grammar. Eek!

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

The lovely thing about language is that it's constantly changing. As a non-stickler I can accept that--unless of course it's just wrong. ; )