Grammar Grappler #7: Could Care Less versus Couldn’t Care Less
“Well, I could care less.” Read more
Grammar Grappler #6: A Corny Way to Remember i.e. and e.g.
“What do i.e., and e.g., mean?” Read more
Grammar Grappler #5: Readers Share Mispronunciations
Last week I shared a word I found out I had been saying incorrectly for more than four decades:
Sherbet
After telling my “sher-bert” story, I asked you to chime in with similar examples. You did not disappoint! We’ve had so much fun these past few days sharing some hilarious stories and examples, and I appreciate all of your input.
For fun, I’m sharing a few of the most common mispronounced terms according to the blog’s readership. See if you can relate.
One reader shared she recently had a coworker take her aside and say, “You know, it’s ‘for all intents and purposes,’ not ‘for all intensive purposes.’”
NO: for all intensive purposes
YES: for all intents and purposes
Another reader said he still calls his bedroom furniture “chester drawers,” even though he knows better now.
NO: chester drawers
YES: chest of drawers
Last Friday I spoke at a statewide association of REALTORS® leadership retreat. They were the first to speak up and give examples of how many people mispronounce their job title. It’s two syllables, not three.
NO: re-la-tor
YES: REAL-TOR
And who can forget Joey Tribbiani’s classic mispronunciation of “supposably” on Friends.
NO: supposably
YES: supposedly
Let’s keep this thread going. I’m sure you have other relatable examples you can share—at least, supposedly.
To customize a keynote or professional development session that will have your audience laughing and learning, contact Mandi Stanley.
Certified Speaking Professional Mandi Stanley works with business leaders who want to boost their professional image by becoming better speakers and writers through interactive high-content keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, technical writing seminars, and fun proofreading classes.
You might also like:
How Do You Handle Virtual Meeting Whiners?
Use this App to Capture Fresh Presentation Ideas
Wacky Word of the Week: Purge this Particular Word
To customize a keynote or professional development session that will have your audience laughing and learning, contact Mandi Stanley.
Certified Speaking Professional Mandi Stanley works with business leaders who want to boost their professional image by becoming better speakers and writers through interactive high-content keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, technical writing seminars, and fun proofreading classes.
You might also like:
How Do You Handle Virtual Meeting Whiners?
Use this App to Capture Fresh Presentation Ideas
Wacky Word of the Week: Purge this Particular Word
Photo by Sudan Ouyang on Unsplash
Grammar Grappler #4: Sherbet
For four decades, I have been mispronouncing this word. Read more
Grammar Grappler 3: Peak or Peek?
I still lose sleep over an executive tips book I wrote in 1999 where in the 13th chapter I recommend presenters take a “sneak peak” at their notes whenever needed. Read more
Grammar Grappler 2: Presidents Day, President’s Day, Presidents’ Day
Behind-the-scenes note: I write on Monday and publish on Wednesday, so I’m penning this on the third Monday in February, otherwise known as Presidents’ Day. Or is it Presidents Day? Or President’s Day. Read more
Grammar Grappler 1: Compose/Comprise
Last week we announced a new blog series we’re calling Grammar Grapplers. A grappler is a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding. The first commonly confused word pair we’re providing a hook for grasping is the difference between compose and comprise. Read more
Announcing Grammar Grapplers
We’re launching a new blog series this week: Grammar Grapplers. The reason I have been eagerly anticipating this new series? These questions have come directly from you. For six months, I have been collecting questions from our community of readers, and today we publish the first response. Read more
