Language Peeves

As Americans, the gross majority of us speak only one language. I include myself in this bucket, however, I do my level best to speak (and write) this language well, and just as importantly, with character, unlike what appears to be so many of my fellow Americans. Following is a list of some very common American English language screw-ups that set my teeth on edge.

•  A mute point (stop talking already you are just proving how stupid you are)
• Something more stronger (um…)
• My friend and me (ah, the pesky use of pronouns)
• Me and my friend will (more wrong than the one above, as if there are gradients of wrong)
• Will you take my friend and I to… (nope, nice try, thank-you for playing)
•  I could care less (well I couldn’t)
•  Needless-to-say (then don’t)
• I ain't got no (I don't have any either) 
• I seen it (you either see it, or have seen it, take your pick; or maybe you saw it)

Maybe I have an unfair advantage? I actually took and passed English in school, including my senior year in HS taught by my dad. And, I actually have a feel for the language when I write, to the point that I am comfortable breaking that “never break” rule of starting a sentence with the word “and.” After all it is a writer’s prerogative to break the rules occasionally in favor of style (or should I say in favor of flavor), as long as he has also shown he knows which rules not to break when playing it straight. 

Got some that bug you? Love to hear them. (Yes those are incomplete sentences, see note on style above).