Non-errors in English
Via The Tin Man comes this helpful site listing a lot of the most common “non-errors” in English. A non-error is defined as one of those prescriptive rules of grammar or usage that fussy people insist on pointing out, even though they’re generally wrong. For example, “since” versus “because.” I agree with pretty much every point made. In this case, if a “mistake” has been consistently made since the 14th Century, you really can’t call it a mistake.
It’s certainly worth a look.
While you’re at it, you might also check out my earlier rant about “data.”
January 23rd, 2005 at 4:56 am
Very nice site. For those who like the etymological aspects addressed, try this site as well: http://www.worldwidewords.org/index.htm
Guaranteed an enjoyable waste of precious writing time.
January 24th, 2005 at 1:52 pm
Hi!
I took a look at the site, its interesting. I just thought I should let you know, since your into this stuff that Alex Epstein,the famous screenwriter, has his own blog now about the do’s and don’ts of screenwriting at http:complicationsensue.blogspot.com . He has put up a few links on there that might interest you, Looking forward to reading your next post
cm
January 24th, 2005 at 1:54 pm
Hi!
I took a look at the site, its interesting. I just thought I should let you know, since your into this stuff that Alex Epstein,the famous screenwriter, has his own blog now about the do’s and don’ts of screenwriting at http:complicationsensue.blogspot.com . He has put up a few links on there that might interest you, Looking forward to reading your next post
cm
February 11th, 2005 at 12:40 pm
If Alex Epstein is a “famous screenwriter” then I’m a vermicious knid.
February 11th, 2005 at 12:48 pm
Well, he does have a produced screenwriting credit. But “famous” is a hard word to apply to any screenwriter. I’m hard pressed to think of any non-directing writer who the general public is likely to be able to name.
April 8th, 2006 at 4:16 pm
I loved reading the list of non-errors! Thanks for posting the link. I’ve always considered myself a curmudgeon with regard to grammar, so I was curious to see how many of the errors that make me cringe were on the list. (For instance, I was prepared to argue the point if “between you and I” was now considered a non-error.) Imagine my surprise when I didn’t find anything … well, erroneous!
As a purist, I do feel compelled to add that I believe every writer ought to be an expert in the rules of grammar and punctuation. Yes, the rules are a lot looser for conversation and dialogue than for prose. Even we curmudgeons are willing to concede that fact. However, “between you and I” is still wrong, regardless of whether it is spoken or written. Anybody who is using that expression — in conversation or in print — should either take a grammar class or read a good book on the subject.
May 28th, 2006 at 9:46 am
[...] Bear in mind: as grammarians go, I’m pretty lenient. English is not Latin, and many of the so-called mistakes are really just the opinions of stubborn jerks. [...]