Language fails that make you angry

  • Context: Lingusitics 
  • Thread starter Thread starter KingNothing
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Language
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion centers on common language misuses that frustrate participants, including the incorrect use of "literally," the confusion between "borrow" and "lend," and the mispronunciation of "etc." as "eck-cetera." Participants express annoyance at phrases like "I could care less" and the misuse of "less" versus "fewer." The conversation also touches on the evolution of language, highlighting the distinction between descriptivism and prescriptivism in linguistics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic English grammar rules
  • Familiarity with common linguistic terms such as "descriptivism" and "prescriptivism"
  • Knowledge of frequently confused words and phrases in English
  • Awareness of language evolution and its implications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between "less" and "fewer" in English grammar
  • Explore the concepts of descriptivism and prescriptivism in linguistics
  • Study common mispronunciations and their correct forms
  • Investigate the historical evolution of the English language and its current trends
USEFUL FOR

Language enthusiasts, educators, writers, and anyone interested in improving their English communication skills will benefit from this discussion.

  • #241
Fredrik said:
How would you rewrite "I screwed up"?

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/22026080/screw-up.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Science news on Phys.org
  • #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.
 

Similar threads

Lingusitics Sounds of g and c in Romance languages (and some of English)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
Lingusitics Is Our Understanding of Time Outdated in Modern Physics?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Lingusitics How does language shape our understanding of truth?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Lingusitics Math and Physics is the language of the universe
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Lingusitics Are Natural and Mathematical Languages the Only Primary Forms of Communication?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
6K
Lingusitics How Do Music, Mathematics, and Descriptive Language Interconnect?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
8K
Lingusitics Reading Body Language: Help for a 15-Year-Old
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
6K
Lingusitics Can we communicate as effectively with language as we do with mathematics?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Lingusitics American is a language sepearte from english.
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K
Lingusitics Age & Origin of Language: 10K-100K Yrs, Debate Remains
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
11K