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Monday, May 11, 2015

Grammar Snobulist




   I have to admit, mostly because my wife accuses me, that I’m a bit of a grammar snob. This sort of makes it a bit emotionally scarring to pen realistic dialogue like, “me and Joe are gonna grab a burger.”
   Seriously, Me and Joe?  Grrr, this just grates.
   Or how about this one?  “I did it on accident.”
   On accident?
   That’s like saying, “I did it by purpose.” 
   I mean, sure, it makes sense that if you do it ‘on’ purpose, the opposite would be doing it ‘on’ accident, but no, it doesn’t work that way folks!  You do it ‘on purpose’ and ‘by accident.’
Jeesh.
   See what I mean? I’m a bit snobbish about it. I mean what really did it hurt to say ‘on’ instead of ‘by’? Well, other than my sense of propriety.
   Fortunately, I persevere, and my characters can have convincing (but improper) dialogue.
   But that’s their problem, not mine.

Norm
www.normcowie.com

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