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Pedants' corner

Slovenly speech, incorrect grammar etc.

(155 Posts)
NanKate Mon 05-Mar-18 14:49:15

The DJ Steve Wright is appalling with his slovenly speech. He usually starts his Love Songs programmes with a long drawn out L O.

Yesterday I switched off when he said in response to a song finishing 'Don't that sound good' so his grammar is rubbish too.

Some presenters leave the g off ing and add a k, as in somethink.

I could go on but I won't.

Over to you.

hildajenniJ Mon 05-Mar-18 14:55:38

I am always annoyed when I hear perfectly well spoken adults pronouncing th as f, as in somefing. To me it smacks of poor parenting. My DS did this until I taught him the difference. It might sound cute in a little child, but in an adult it just sounds sloppy.

Bridgeit Mon 05-Mar-18 15:01:42

I agree Nankate,
Mine would be the inaccurate use of ‘brought & bought.

Better make sure I don’t make any mistakes now ?

BBbevan Mon 05-Mar-18 16:14:07

We had a school secretary who always spoke about her " susstificates" . All for typing

wildswan16 Mon 05-Mar-18 16:17:08

And we won't mention the "would of" and "could of" !

MillieBear Mon 05-Mar-18 16:27:11

"Can I get..." when ordering something and "I'm good" when asked if they want anything else drive me mad.

fourormore Mon 05-Mar-18 16:30:37

Can't stand 'like' all those who 'like' keep incorrectly use the word 'like'!
'Like' why can't they speak proper 'like' what I does haha!

Coolgran65 Mon 05-Mar-18 17:07:12

'like' 'would of' 'fink' -- I agree, can't stand it.

And I have a dil who says 'I'm good'..... I bite my tongue

Nanny27 Tue 06-Mar-18 09:40:43

Am I the only one who inwardly screams at '24/7' ?

berdie Tue 06-Mar-18 09:50:41

The one I hate is " no brainer".

KatyK Wed 07-Mar-18 18:17:42

Bradley Walsh on The Chase 'If you was to win some money today what would you do with it?'

Nanabilly Wed 07-Mar-18 20:06:48

Fount instead of found is the one that's driving me nuts lately . We( gs and I) do rock painting and on the facebook group where you can show and tell your finds it is increasingly common to see fount this on way to ??? Gggrrr

phoenix Wed 07-Mar-18 21:43:43

If we are talking about the written word, then "of" when it should be "have" really does grate!

When it comes to the spoken word, I can sort of turn a deaf ear when talking to people, but when I hear some people in positions of responsibility (I can think of one person on TV who is a headmaster) who say "somefink" or "free fousand" it does make me a bit hmmangry

I have my tin hat on standby, as no doubt there will be some comments along the lines of its not slovenly speech, more regional pronunciation.hmm

Blinko Wed 07-Mar-18 21:59:49

I am always annoyed when I hear perfectly well spoken adults pronouncing th as f, as in somefing. To me it smacks of poor parenting.

Not poor parenting, just getting down with da yoof on da street....

OldMeg Wed 07-Mar-18 22:19:06

There is no single standard of ‘correct’ grammar. There are only standards which you disrespect at the risk of inviting social disapproval. If you want to seem like someone of high status, use ‘you were’. If you’re not bothered, either because you just aren’t or because you already have high status, use ‘You was’, like the British industrialist and peer Alan Sugar did, on the UK version of The Apprentice.

OldMeg Wed 07-Mar-18 22:23:23

In Bradley Walsh’s case I imagine he uses ‘you was’ deliberately. Incidentally both ‘you was’ and ‘you were’ are in the past tense, even though acceptably used in this context as a future wish.

It’s a strangely delicious language and as I’ve said on another similar thread - bring it on. I love all the intricacies and subtleties.

janeainsworth Thu 08-Mar-18 09:04:52

Grrrrr!!
Just listening to 9 am news on Radio 4 of all places.

The newsreader said that the focus of the investigation into the Russian poisonings was on working out where the nerve agent originated from.

Noooooo!!
Haven’t they heard of tautology?
Or not ending sentences with prepositions???

Azie09 Thu 08-Mar-18 09:11:58

I'm with you all, the English language is beautiful, has its own rules and history and all these diversions are reducing the quality. The French mind, why shouldn't we.

My pet hate is less as in less people instead of fewer.

NonnaW Thu 08-Mar-18 09:41:07

Sorry janeA I don’t know about tautology, and I’m unsure as to ending sentences with a preposition blush. We didn’t do grammar in any depth where I went to school. I know what sounds wrong, so maybe I do follow the grammar rules but probably instinctively not knowingly.

MissAdventure Thu 08-Mar-18 09:42:32

I said exactly the same thing a few days back.
I have no idea about grammar as its spoken about here.

GillT57 Thu 08-Mar-18 09:47:34

it seems to me that the use of 'would of/should of' instead of 'would have/should have' is becoming commonplace. Makes my teeth itch.

acanthus Thu 08-Mar-18 09:48:26

I have to mute Beth Rigby whenever she appears on Sky News; she is incapable of pronouncing 'ing', e.g. "Mrs May is goin' to Brussels next week and will be presentin' her views on....." It's very annoyin' !!

pamdixon Thu 08-Mar-18 09:49:41

my pet hate is people saying 'bye now' when I leave a shop...am tempted to say sell later!

MaizieD Thu 08-Mar-18 09:54:24

'Different to' is such a longstanding peeve that I should be inured to it by now. But no, I want to scream every time I read or see it..

Blinko Thu 08-Mar-18 10:01:23

Prostrate, when they mean prostate. Grr.......