Gransnet forums

Pedants' corner

Off of

(157 Posts)
BBbevan Mon 22-Feb-16 13:32:18

Surely it is just off, as in I fell off my horse. Lots of people, including young teachers say off of.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 23-Feb-16 23:09:57

So, when I say to GS, "Get that muddy ball off of my clean floor now", that's actually wrong is it?

Who knew?!

#whothefuckcares

oldgaijin Wed 24-Feb-16 01:29:56

...and don't get me started on the "I personally" or "basically"

BBbevan Wed 24-Feb-16 08:29:32

I was going to reply to Jinglbellsfrocks but take exception to her final remark. Not necessary

Anya Wed 24-Feb-16 08:35:38

FFS BB don't let it worry you.

Anya Wed 24-Feb-16 08:38:10

Wilma totally agree, life is too short.

NanKate Wed 24-Feb-16 08:52:01

Well Jing it seems most of us care about correct grammar on this thread, however if you want to continue saying off of just do so, you are a free agent.

One of the joys of getting older is that we can think whichever way we want and if it is different from (not different to) grin others, so be it.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 09:34:07

BBbevan thank you for my first laugh-out-loud of my day. grin

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 09:39:36

Somehow, it seems to me that it's how it arises in conversation.If you want to stress the getting something off of something else, you are more likely to use the two words together. We use language to communicate with each other. So it follows that we choose the way that seems to do this most effectively. Anything else is perhaps simply being anal.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 09:40:29

Anya grin

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 09:43:11

BBbevan I see your profile says you are a "bit of an old hippie*. Really?! confused

Elrel Wed 24-Feb-16 10:01:39

Lovely to find so many as irritated by 'bored of' as I am. Did it come from 'tired of' perhaps? Also dislike 'different to'.

I am trying to stop saying I 'hate' things. 5 year old grandson says it too much. We're telling him 'don't like' is preferable.

annodomini Wed 24-Feb-16 10:08:27

jingl, if you aren't a pedant, leave the Corner to those of us who like to quibble about correct grammar and usage. Please. grin

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 10:11:03

No. Thank you. smile

Thingmajig Wed 24-Feb-16 11:30:19

My English isn't perfect by any means but off/of, their/they're/there and the likes drives me absolutely mad!!! I just can't understand people not knowing the difference, and the correct word to use. ???

Charleygirl Wed 24-Feb-16 11:37:19

Another horror which appears to be creeping back is "I should of went". My grammar is not perfect but that is diabolical.

BBbevan Wed 24-Feb-16 12:14:52

Jinglbellfrocks , why are you confused?

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 12:19:28

Well, being so shocked at the word 'fuck' doesn't seem to tie in with being hippie-ish. grin But perhaps you mixed with a better class of hippie. smile

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 12:20:22

Peace and love man, anyway. smile

BBbevan Wed 24-Feb-16 12:24:50

I was not shocked at the word. Have been known to use it myself, but not on a public forum. Enough said ?

LullyDully Wed 24-Feb-16 12:56:53

I do feel there is a lot of fuss over dialect usage.

We all know how to speak in grammatical English but have a right to feel comfort in community speech used when growing up or where we live. Language is dynamic and rich.

wot Wed 24-Feb-16 13:46:20

How rude and aggressive.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 13:54:04

Yes. Behave yerself Lullydully.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 13:54:21

wink

wot Wed 24-Feb-16 13:59:08

Not lully........you...ha ha!

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 24-Feb-16 14:00:27

grin