Things that BUG!
There are a ton of things that bug me! I'm sure you have some things that bug you, too. That's why I made this page. Basically, this'll just be a big ol' list of things that not only bug me, but things that bug other people. If you've got something that bugs you, please feel free to send it in and have it posted online.
These things totally bug
English/Grammar/Punctuation
Wow. Where do I begin here? I've got a ton of these!
Addings apostrophes (these things: ' ) to words or phrases that don't require apostrophes
A common mistake that people make while using apostrophes is adding them to the end of acronyms when pluralizing. Example: "I own several TV's." Listen, people, this is not a situation where an apostrophe is necessary! TV pluralized is simply "TVs" — just add an "s" and you're done. There's no need to complicate this simple punctuation. Apostrophes are used only when you're contracting words and/or spaces between words; and when defining possession. Here are a couple examples of proper apostrophe usage:
Example of contraction: "I don't know when you're going to learn about apostrophes, but I hope it's soon because your improper usage is really bothering me.
Example of possession: "Are you going to check out Brett Roby's awesome website today?
Here are a few examples of extremely poor apostrophe application (or lack thereof):
"When your out running your errand's, please pick up some milk and chip's. If your going to Best Buy, check out the TV's and high fidelity stereo's."
"Do you know if Peggy has any STD's? I think Billy may have picked up a couple of her's when they were together a couple month's ago."
I've never really understood why people just can't get this one right. It bugs.
Making a question out of a statement that isn't a question
(double-bonus bug: two-part sentences that make a statement then turn into a question)
This one really gets me. You know people who do this. I can't get into it too heavily without blowing a fuse, so here's an example:
"I don't know how many apples I have?"
THAT IS NOT A QUESTION! It is you saying that you don't know how many apples you have. It's just a sentence; it is merely you telling me that you don't know how many apples you have. Geez...
Then there are the people (actually, this is usually the same person) who go from statement to question by separating the two elements with a comma. I probably encounter this a five times per day while reading e-mails from customers at work. Example:
"Great job today at the game, do you know how many points you scored?"
Come on. That is two separate sentences with two completely different points to be made. The first one is "Great job today at the game" which should be concluded with a period, and the second is "Do you know how many points you scored?" which is a completely fine question, but not when joined with the first statement by a mere comma. This one drives me crazy.
IMisms
I cannot stand the way instant messaging (IM) has butchered the English language over the past several years. It has become so common these days that you're seeing people use them in "professsional" correspondence via e-mail and the occasional "official" document. I will never use them in e-mail or even contemplate using them in any sort of documentation that will be read by anyone.
| Here are just a few: | ||||
| LOL | OMG | WTF | B4 | BC or B/C |
| BFF | IDK | "kewl" | RU | NE1 |
I think the one that gets me the most is "LOL." I mean, are you really laughing outloud? My guess is you're not. You're probably just trying to say "that's funny." I'd much rather see "hahahaha" to represent amusement via electronic word, but maybe that's just me going English Nazi. I also greatly despise "RU" instead of "are you?" It's a sad world when typing "RU" is "more natural" than typing "are you?" Argh!
The ampersand (this thing: &)
What is with this friggin' character? I absolutely cannot stand this thing. There is almost no scenario where I would prefer to use this & and I wish everyone thought the same. Is it really that hard to type a-n-d; or is it easier to hold the shift key and then find the 7 key to make this symbol? I mean, I'm a pretty fast typist, but even that is way more cumbersome than simply typing those three simple letters — to say nothing of the fact that the ampersand is a completely useless symbol.
The only situation where I'll "accept" the ampersand is in the title of a business that contains two last names, such as Johnson & Johnson and so forth. I will never, ever, ever, think it's OK to use it in this context: "please go get me some milk & bread."
I'm pretty sure we don't need to abbreviate "and." Call me crazy if you will... & then learn some punctuation basics!
More English Bugs - submitted by Coach Nick
When people say vice-a, versa
When people say supposably or supposively
When people say irregardless (unless they are doing so with good knowledge of the fact that this is an improper word)
When people say Ying and Yang
Nick is my kind of man!
Yet Another English Bug - submitted by Coach Nick
Like when people say like way too much. It's like totally lame.
I'm on board with you on this one, as always, my friend! I was like: "are you serious? I'm glad someone finally, like, brought this one to my attention. I can't believe I like forgot."
Not only is this like totally unnecessary, it makes us Californians looks like we all came from San Jose and are like totally valleys and stuff. It's like oh my god.
Using numbers in writing when numbers shouldn't be used
This one also drives me nuts. First of all (notice that I didn't write "1st"), numbers are never to be used in writing when the number is lower than 10 unless it is tied to a statistic or specific measurement. Example:
I have two hands.
That is correct; you cannot write: "I have 2 hands." That is never acceptable, not only in regards to proper English rules, but in OCD BrettRobyville. An example where I'll let you use numerals instead of writing the number out in-full without punching you in the trachea is:
That container holds 3mL.
I'll let you have that one, and in fact, that is technically OK and something I'd write myself.
This next improper usage of numerals is one that has a lot of people confused as to its correctness. I'll try to explain briefly — but if I start to overheat I'll have to cut it short. It involves using 1st vs. first, 2nd vs. second, etc. Listen, let's make it easy: it's ONLY OK to use 1st when referring specifically to a placement in a race (for example) or a ranking of some sort. Example:
You won 1st place.
That is a correct usage of numerals in writing. An incorrect usage of 1st would be something like this:
I'm going to do some online shopping on eBay, but 1st I'll be stopping by Brett Roby's awesome website.
Do you see the difference?
Please use numbers in writing carefully if you value your oxygen supply.
(im)Proper acronym usage - submitted by Coach Nick
Saying "PIN number" when simply "PIN" will suffice. Remember, people, "PIN" means personal identification number. There's no need to say PIN number, as you are actually saying personal identification number number.
Saying "ATM Machine" when simply "ATM" will suffice. Similar to above: "ATM" means automated teller machine; there is no reason why you should ever utter ATM machine, unless you're trying to say automated teller machine machine, which I'm guessing you're not.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nick is my kind of man!
(im)Proper acronym usage - submitted by Mary Lou Freebush
CAPSLOCK KEYS. You hit them on accident. Ugh. That gets on my last nerve.
I can get behind this thing that bugs! I'm not sure if Mary Lou Freebush is a real person, but hey, the accidental caps lock depression bugs me!
Lazy punctuation in e-mailing - submitted by Brett's Wife
I hate when people send an entire email with absolutely no punctuation at all. This makes me crazy. Sometimes these people will put two or three sentences and questions together without separation. It kinda goes along with people who separate two sentences with a comma. At least those people understand that some sort of punctuation in that place is needed (even though they're wrong about which one). Here's a classic example that I received just the other day: The kitchen will be cleaned at 4:00 please label anything you would like to keep. Come on people! The period key is practically right next to the space bar!! Just stick it in there. The next word will capitalize itself automatically. There's hardly any work involved.
Now you can see why I married this one what a catch I'm one lucky guy.
I've got more coming, but I've got to take a break...
What bugs you?
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