Category Archives: usage features

A blogpoll on ain’t

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

As a follow up to Chloe’s post below on ain’t, I’d be interested in having your feedback in a blog poll as well. So please let us know what you think! (Click on the title to access the blog poll.)

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The ain’t forecast:

Posted on May 28, 2013 by xhlo

For the past 150 years, the ain’t forecast has been mostly heavy showers with some sunny patches – much like a European summer – but how do things look now? Here is a brief run-down of the prescriptivists-family reaction to … Continue reading →

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Punctuation matters

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Anoeska Bronswijk

Nowadays, people seem to be more tolerant towards language. Punctuation errors, for instance, seem to be accepted more often, as understandability is believed to be more important than correctness. Lynne Truss, the well-known author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The … Continue reading →

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Fuck my grammar, Mary

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

And here is another one from Marilyn French’s Our Father. This time an old chestnut. Mary, the middle one (of the legitimate sisters) is discussing feminism with illegitimate and coloured Ronnie: … As long as women have the babies they will … Continue reading →

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The both of you

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

Prescriptivism in literature or films: I’ve already noted a few examples in this blog. Here is another one. It is from Marilyn French‘s novel Our Father (1994). Alex, the first speaker, is one of the three (or four if you include illegitimate … Continue reading →

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Koffie’s or Koffies: apostrophe confusion in Dutch

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Anoeska Bronswijk

I came across an interesting use of an apostrophe with a plural in Dutch on my way to Leiden, and wondered what caused this misuse of the apostrophe in the image above. According to the Van Dale dictionary the correct plural … Continue reading →

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Please remember to check out with your public transport chip card

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Anoeska Bronswijk

Twice a week, on my way to and from university, I hear the advice stated above: “Please remember to check out with your public transport chip card”. (The British equivalent of such a card would be the London Oyster card.) … Continue reading →

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It is not you, it is your grammar.

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Carmen Ebner

This is crucial information which can save and change your life and the lives of others. You may be not aware of the impact your use of grammar, spelling and punctuation can have on your future. Texting ur beautiful to … Continue reading →

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Bertie vs. Mr Brown

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

The film Mrs Brown (1997), featuring Judi Dench and Billy Connolly, includes an interesting scene from the point of view of prescriptivism. At one point (ca. 50 minutes into the film), Bertie, the Prince of Wales, addresses the pertinent Mr … Continue reading →

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Out with whom, in with the split infinitive

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Morana Lukač

One of our blog authors recently tackled the “whom issue”, and it made me wonder if this word is really dying out. Our readers will also remember several posts featuring the split infinitive, the pedants’ pet peeve. I have decided … Continue reading →

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