Lingusitics Language fails that make you angry

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Misuses of language, such as the incorrect use of "literally" and the confusion between "borrow" and "lend," are significant points of frustration for many. Pronunciation errors, like saying "eck-cetera" instead of "et cetera," also draw criticism, particularly among professionals. The debate between descriptivists and prescriptivists highlights the evolving nature of language, with some arguing that new usages can dilute clarity. Common mistakes, including "I could care less" and the misuse of "less" versus "fewer," further complicate communication. Overall, these linguistic missteps reflect broader issues in language comprehension and usage.
  • #241
Fredrik said:
How would you rewrite "I screwed up"?

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/22026080/screw-up.jpg
 
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  • #242
Fredrik said:
How would you rewrite "I screwed up"?

"I made a mistake." "Screwed" in that context is slang anyway and would not be used in formal writing. "I messed up" could also be revised to "I made a mistake," or one could say "I made a mess of this." You might consider these to be reaches, but there is no difference in meaning.
 

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