If you want a sure-fire way for generating passionate responses, ask readers about their pet peeves.
Responses to a discussion started in a LinkedIn® group are exploding like New Year’s finest bubbly.
The author of the question asked for input on –
- Commonly misused words; and
- A list of pet peeves on word abuse
Over 300 responses later, the discussion rages on.
(There are those who would object to the use of the word “rage” as a verb.)
A similar response on LinkedIn occurred over a question on typos. It’s amazing the level of passion people attach to their pet peeves.
Pet Peeve Roll Call
Here are just a few of the readers’ word pet peeves.
Word Use
- Irregardless (instead of regardless)
- Early on (drop the word “on”)
- Like (like totally, you know)
- I go (instead of I said – e.g., so then I go…)
- I feel badly (instead of bad)
- Touch bases (instead of touch base)
Word Misuse
- It’s versus Its
- Affect versus effect
- Their versus they’re or there
- Loose versus lose
- Then versus than
- Less versus fewer
- e.g. versus i.e.
- Utilize versus use
- Peak versus peek or pique
- More or most unique
- More perfect
Overused Words or Phrases
- At the end of the day
- To be honest
- Incredibly
- Impact (as a verb-others categorize it as a misuse of the noun)
- Actually
This is a small sampling. Some of the discussions were quite heated.
- There were word purists versus those that believe language evolves
- There were some who admitted they weren’t sure why their choice was a pet peeve
- And others that felt Websters is the Holy Grail
I am a huge fan of Mark Twain. Here is one of his “heated” quotes on our topic of “words.”
Words are only painted fire; a look is the fire itself.
– A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
Calling on You
What misuse of a word or phrase drives you nuts?
- Come on, you know you have a pet peeve or two
- Why not get passionate about it and share it in Comments
It’s a sure bet, you are not alone.
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It’s so hard to know how far to go when criticizingly others for what they write. Professional writers should know better. On social media sites it’s tough because people write quickly. The one I’m stumped about is loose vs lose. Totally different words with one O as the difference. Why people want to add an extra O is beyond me! 🙂
Hi, Sherrie-Loose vs. lose-I don’t get that one either. Is it just me or does it seem to have increased on the internet?
I’m with you, I tend to “cut some slack” when I see the occasional error. Lord knows I have more than my share. For the life of me, my finger always want to type sneak peak instead of sneak peek. I know it’s peek, my brain knows it’s peek, but my fingers type peak. Fortunately, because I know I tend to do that, I catch it-most of the time. It drives me nuts.
Thanks for stopping by, Sherrie.
Now if I could just teach my fingers the difference between your and you’re 😉
And I never know if I lie down or lay down… just can’t hold it in my head – so I write around it.
😉
LOL-I know what you mean, Anne. The sad thing is I used to be much better at it. *sigh* I suspect it’s another aging thing for me-like the fantastic memory I used to have. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by, Anne. And you can write your or you’re any way you’d like here. 🙂