Do grammatical errors bother you?

SneakySnake · 10-22-2010, 07:20 PM

I was reading a novel by a well known author recently.

And twice he used the term "hone in on". I know we all make mistakes, and sometimes there are errors in certain translations, but...

a well known author making the same mistake twice in the same novel. It annoyed me, but not enough to spoil the book.

maybe I am getting too picky in my old age.

Even brought and bought are now acceptable as being interchangeable.

Does anyone else suffer from the problem of noticing and being annoyed by such errors/ignorance?

Figlilly · 10-22-2010, 07:31 PM

Yes! I read a book recently too that had a sprinkling of grammatical and spelling errors and it really irritated me. I am not pretending that I am perfect, or know all the rules of English, but I lose faith in a story if the book has mistakes.

dwig · 10-22-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Figwit

Yes! I read a book recently too that had a sprinkling of grammatical and spelling errors and it really irritated me. I am not pretending that I am perfect, or know all the rules of English, but I lose faith in a story if the book has mistakes.

Its the same with we. The occasional mistake doesn't seriously affect me, but constant errors grate.

recluse · 10-22-2010, 07:52 PM

I find grammatical errors extremely aggravating.
I tend to read very quickly and errors like this completely throw me out of the story.
I blame the lower educational standards.
And outsourcing proofreading.
It's disgraceful.

susan_cassidy · 10-22-2010, 07:58 PM

I know someone who constantly says "flush out" instead of "flesh out", and "perimeter" instead of "parameter".

FizzyWater · 10-22-2010, 08:01 PM

I actually had to look up why that would be considered incorrect.

I'm not sure I've ever heard or read it the other way! I've always read it as hone=sharpen=narrow down the number of choices. It does look like a phrase that is heading toward accepted, however.

I will admit, if I notice grammatical errors, they can drive me crazy. My current thing is the use of "bring" versus "take". (And I have a feeling it's also gaining ground the "wrong way" as well).

Cpl Punishment · 10-22-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

I was reading a novel by a well known author recently.

And twice he used the term "hone in on". I know we all make mistakes, and sometimes there are errors in certain translations, but...

a well known author making the same mistake twice in the same novel. It annoyed me, but not enough to spoil the book.

maybe I am getting too picky in my old age.

Even brought and bought are now acceptable as being interchangeable.

Does anyone else suffer from the problem of noticing and being annoyed by such errors/ignorance?

Sorry couldn't help it....but ummm...

hone in
1. To move or advance toward a target or goal: The missiles honed in on the military installation.
2. To direct one's attention; focus: The lawyer honed in on the gist of the plaintiff's testimony.

kevinp · 10-22-2010, 08:40 PM

What annoys me the most is when they don't know when and where they should use commas.

SneakySnake · 10-22-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

I know someone who constantly says "flush out" instead of "flesh out", and "perimeter" instead of "parameter".

Should we breech the parameter and flesh him out?

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-22-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

Should we breech the parameter and flesh him out?

You'll have to hone in on it first.

SneakySnake · 10-22-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

You'll have to hone in on it first.

I'll home my fighting stick sharp and ready!

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-22-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

I'll home my fighting stick sharp and ready!

Didn't you mean fighting shtick?

SneakySnake · 10-22-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Didn't you mean fighting shtick?

or frightening schtick!

Fbone · 10-22-2010, 10:19 PM

What was wrong with "hone in on?"

Ravensknight · 10-22-2010, 10:23 PM

our languages are alive. That means they grow, change, etc, etc. Grammar rules are NOT the 10 Commandments set in Tablets of Stone.

And I was with those who had to go look why "hone in on" was 'wrong'.

10-22-2010, 07:20 PM	#1
SneakySnake I'm watching you! Posts: 6,113 Karma: 22344652 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sunny Coast Qld, OZ Device: Sony PRS-900(unused lately) iPadAir2, want me Kindle Oasis	Do grammatical errors bother you? I was reading a novel by a well known author recently. And twice he used the term "hone in on". I know we all make mistakes, and sometimes there are errors in certain translations, but... a well known author making the same mistake twice in the same novel. It annoyed me, but not enough to spoil the book. maybe I am getting too picky in my old age. Even brought and bought are now acceptable as being interchangeable. Does anyone else suffer from the problem of noticing and being annoyed by such errors/ignorance?

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10-22-2010, 07:31 PM	#2
Figlilly Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 2514066 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kindle Oasis 2&3, Paperwhites, Kindle Touch, Kobo Clara, IPad Air2	Yes! I read a book recently too that had a sprinkling of grammatical and spelling errors and it really irritated me. I am not pretending that I am perfect, or know all the rules of English, but I lose faith in a story if the book has mistakes.

10-22-2010, 07:52 PM	#4
recluse Banned Posts: 3,724 Karma: 535488 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: the Mortuary Device: Kindle 2	I find grammatical errors extremely aggravating. I tend to read very quickly and errors like this completely throw me out of the story. I blame the lower educational standards. And outsourcing proofreading. It's disgraceful.

10-22-2010, 07:58 PM	#5
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I know someone who constantly says "flush out" instead of "flesh out", and "perimeter" instead of "parameter".

10-22-2010, 08:01 PM	#6
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	I actually had to look up why that would be considered incorrect. I'm not sure I've ever heard or read it the other way! I've always read it as hone=sharpen=narrow down the number of choices. It does look like a phrase that is heading toward accepted, however. I will admit, if I notice grammatical errors, they can drive me crazy. My current thing is the use of "bring" versus "take". (And I have a feeling it's also gaining ground the "wrong way" as well).

10-22-2010, 08:40 PM	#8
kevinp Fanatic Posts: 582 Karma: 3549018 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle PW (10th & 11th gen); Fire HD 10	What annoys me the most is when they don't know when and where they should use commas.

10-22-2010, 10:19 PM	#14
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,281 Karma: 101696762 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	What was wrong with "hone in on?"

10-22-2010, 10:23 PM	#15
Ravensknight Serpent Rider Posts: 1,123 Karma: 10219804 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sony 350; Nook STR; Oasis	our languages are alive. That means they grow, change, etc, etc. Grammar rules are NOT the 10 Commandments set in Tablets of Stone. And I was with those who had to go look why "hone in on" was 'wrong'.

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