Meow

To my previous list of crimes requiring harsh punishment I'd like to add misuse of the apostrophe, particularly the random use with plurals.

Bahtatboy

And double punishment for two adjacent possessives, one with and one without an apostrophe (I seem to recall "Idea's recommendations", meaning "ideas or recommendations").

In addition, tongue stapling for people who say "starting from". A price range, a race or an event doesn't start "from", it starts "at". Aggghhhhh.....

littlejimmy

And the use of "less" instead of "fewer", as in when you go to the supermarket and the sign says "10 ITEMS OR LESS".

Meow

People who say 'fed up of' when the proper phrase is 'fed up with'.

I'm really fed up with people who abuse the English language.

Millhouse

How do you people sleep at night worrying about these things? Or is it a case of just boring yourself to sleep?

Meow

I am a persistent insomniac, so it's a case of whatever helps.

The Dean

And BTW........... what's a "sustificate"??

"I got a sustificate when I passed my exam", etc.............

scrubbedexpat141

I get irritated by the same spackers that you're mentioning in bold here.

But, I can normally let it slide and just take a deep breath. The things that I find difficult to stomach (particularly in the office);

'mate' - I'm not your ****ing mate. Also, calling your Director 'mate' is not acceptable, it's a matter of time before he has you for dinner.
'like' - We are not in California, or the OC or in One Tree Hill. Go and like jump off a like bridge.
'ain't' - You just sound like an absolute thundercnut.
'your' and 'you're' - I don't care if it has an extra letter and bit of punctuation in it. Just type them and you sound instantly more intelligent.

Those are three that regularly bug me. There are millions more.

I'm not perfect but I know how to use the language. I can't pull someone up on 'less' or 'fewer' at Tesco's because it just doesn't bother me.

Meow

Said by the same idiots who refer to secetaries, say pacific instead of specific and ask for an expresso.

And don't start me on Americans who say 'erbs (Why? They aren't French) and carmelise (meaning caramelise).

I may need to get out more

Bahtatboy

Both of us could go out together with one another to one of you're favorite restaurant's.

scrubbedexpat141

Yo-ghurt, Pro-ject etc. Aussies and Kiwi's need a slap for that.

'Aluminum' is definitely not a word.

Meow

*shudder*

*adds Bahtatboy to The List*

Bahtatboy

Thought I was on it already.

Charismatic

Using the word “like” to start sentences constantly? I like the habit some people have of using the term ‘rah-rah-rah’ to describe some trivial thing another person was saying.

Alexa

Well, if a person is a native English speaker, no matter from which English speaking country, then yes, they should know how to use the language they were taught.
If a person writes a CV or a letter, they can use spell check.
So there is no need for misspelling or the use of wrong words.

But, if a person is not a native English speaker, one should be understanding towards their mistakes.

And of course, as there are several English speaking countries, we should understand and respect the way they use their language.

Oh, I am not a native English speaker and I am too lazy to use spell check.