Comments on: Pronoun Use is NOT Rocket Science

By: PreciseEdit

PreciseEdit — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:01:40 +0000

The correct use of pronouns sounds odd to some people because so many other people speak incorrectly. Those who speak correctly seem “stilted” in the language use only by those who are not accustomed to hearing and using correct speech.

This occurs in other areas of language use, too. For example, “Data,” which is a plural term, is often used with a singular pronoun and verb. To many, this sounds correct, though it isn’t. Wrong: The data is in the report. Correct: The data are in the report.

We concede that spoken English isn’t as formal (in most situations) as written English. However if more people used English correctly, especially those in the public, in the media, etc., people in general would likely be inclined to do the same.

This is an issue we encounter at every training session and with most documents we edit. Several articles in the Precise Edit Training Manual address the difference between what sounds correct and what is actually correct. (FYI: We’re donating $1 to the National Center for Family Literacy for every manual purchase through December 31. This organization has much work to do, obviously!)

By: Maeve

Maeve — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:39:47 +0000

The third example:
Me and my mom used to go there.

Corrected:
My mom and I used to go there.

By: Maeve

Maeve — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:32:03 +0000

Miss Godiva,

The examples given:
She and him were sneaking around behind my back.
At least we know it wasn’t her that killed Cara.

The examples corrected:
She and he were sneaking around behind my back.
At least we know it wasn’t she that killed Cara.

If the corrected forms are too “inauthentic” sounding for TV characters, a scriptwriter could get around them with variations that would still be couched in correct grammar.

Variations”
My best friend was sneaking around behind my back with my boyfriend. Or
They were sneaking around…

At least we know it wasn’t Suzy that killed Cara.

By: Miss Godiva

Miss Godiva — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:24:04 +0000

I agree that it’s frustrating when people use pronouns incorrectly, however, I also agree that in tv scripts and other dialogue it should be suited to the presumed education level of the character, for the sake of authenticity.

Also, could you please show the correct usage for the examples you provide in your entry? I just want to make sure that I don’t use these pronouns incorrectly, and showing me the right way will help with my cause

cheers and thanks!

By: Maeve

Maeve — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:16:08 +0000

Brad,
White flag, white flag!

I’m reeling with all that heavy artillery.

I’m sure that if everyone agrees that veg denotes the sound /vej/ then that will be the official spelling. Ditto vegging and not veging. But I’ll still be hearing the hard g in my head.

Btw, I too pronounce veggies /vej eez/ The spelling works for me.