I Swear I’m Not a Grammar Snob
Fun, language September 7th, 2008What makes me weirder?
a) I watched The Bourne Ultimatum and freeze-framed this newspaper shot so I could read the fine print.
b) I noticed a mistake in grammar, called my husband into the room and excitedly showed him what I’d found.
For the record, he gave me the same blank stare as the time I made him get in my car without telling him why. After we drove around for five blocks, I stopped and showed him why I made him come with me.
My odometer turned over to 77,777 miles!
Well, I thought it was something.
So can you spot the error?
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September 7th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I’m going to guess that you’re referring to the comma between Bourne and but in the first sentence?
I’m not a grammar snob either but it does amuse me when I find errors in publication.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Just spotted another and it’s probably the one you’re referring to, it says then where it should say than.
“Each one more deadly then the next.”
d’oh
September 7th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Huh. I don’t know. It’s okay, I get really annoyed when professinal things use improper grammer. Like, in the episode guide for Gilmore Girls season three, the description of one of the episode DOESN’T HAVE A PERIOD AFTER ONE OF THE SENTENCES.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
then, should be than
that’s not totally weird, but I’m probably not the best judge!
chatblanc’s last blog post..The best tattoo ever!
September 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
“Than” not “then”, dammit!
Kat
Poetikat’s last blog post..Slipping away…
September 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Wow I read that like seven times and couldn’t spot it. THEN i read the comments and rather THAN just believe the commenters, I read it about four mmore times trying to find the word.
I haven’t passed English Comp, yet….
sarah’s last blog post..Where’d I put that key!
September 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
YES. THAN not then. Then is time. DUH.
Lauren’s last blog post..License Plate Covers
September 7th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Than, than!! I AM a grammar snob, can’t help myself.
Elle’s last blog post..My Week in Pictures
September 7th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
It’s not the first time I’ve come across that! I make the allowance that it’s possibly a typo and the proof reader didn’t do their job properly.
What gets me even more hot under the collar is when they speak bad grammar! So-called educated people saying “Those ones” is my real pet hate.
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..On a lighter note…..
September 7th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
April — Yep, you got it! It amuses me too, especially since this was a movie. I would think for all the editing they do, it would have been caught.
Regan — Drives me nuts, too. You must have gotten the grammar gene in our family.
chatblanc — Husband thinks I’m a tad weird, but I’m used to the eye rolls by now.
Poetikat — Well done, dammit!
sarah — I bet you’ll never forget the “then” and “than” thing now! See what a service we provide here? Hope your semester’s going well.
Lauren — Woo hoo! We are awesome, aren’t we?
Elle — I’m not a grammar snob because I do get some things wrong and it bugs me that I still do. For instance, I will never understand the difference between “further” and “farther.” Never get it right, so I find another way of saying it. I’m lazy like that.
Babs beetle — I’m that way, too. I have a real problem with “youse guys.” Although a co-worker once explained that it’s OK because it’s a Philadelphia thing and it should be considered a dialect issue, not bad speaking. I still hate to hear it.
September 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Took me a couple of minutes to figure out that “then” should be than.
And I don’t think I see many double hyphens in professional writing - especially in a newspaper.
Jaffer’s last blog post..Another season another design
September 7th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I found the mistake, “then” should be “than.” But I think making your husband go in your car just to see the 77,777 miles is very weird. LOL
Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”’s last blog post..What I’m Learning Each Day!
September 7th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I hates it when I see grammatical errors. It makes me clench my teeths. I am glad I never make any of teh mistakes because I am a gud speller! I do not even has to use teh spell-chek.
ps: I added you to my blogroll, too! Even though I was sad when I found out it was not a sammich.
Daisy the Curly Cat’s last blog post..Sunday Comics with Daisy!
September 7th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I saw it, and the reason is simple~~folks think spell check is a substitute for proof reading. It’s not, obviously.
Wow, you are detail oriented.
BTW, if you ever see a typo when reading my blog, it is intentional. I’m just using it to see if my readers are as astute as you are.
Joe’s last blog post..Sunday Shopping Spree
September 7th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Um i cant see it nor do i want to pull out my handy dandy english book and look it up Heres one yuo can figure out whats wrong
As I layed in bed I see a butterfly shining above my head and i die?
September 7th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I spotted the “then/than” thing but I considered it spelling. But I know what you mean. There are blogs out there that I can’t read because I can’t stand the errors!
Marlaine’s last blog post..Earrings and Bracelet To Match
September 7th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
deadly … should be deadlier. Crazy movie people.
DrowseyMonkey’s last blog post..Some Changes to Kiva
September 7th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Oh, you’re talking the comma…lol, you are crazy, LOL
DrowseyMonkey’s last blog post..Some Changes to Kiva
September 7th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I used to be more of a snob, but I’m slowly getting over it. With email, texting, etc., I’m learning to do away with rules of grammar and spelling. That suits my rule-breaking, rock and roll persona anyway.
But gotta admit, the “then” did bother me. No quite fingernails on chalk board, but close!
Ferd’s last blog post..It’s for the birds!
September 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Grammar inaccuracies make me mental. I was at the grocery check-out yesterday and the tabloid headline said,” Angelina Has Post-Partum.”
Post-partum euphoria? Post-partum soreness? Post-partum fatness?
sue’s last blog post..Slow News Day
September 7th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
THAN — not “then”
I am just as OCD as you!
I stopped doing homework just to reply to this, so I’m really bad off…
mizmell’s last blog post..Better Than An Alarm Clock
September 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I found the errors,, but I can’t say anything, as I do not know gramar rights and wrongs all that well.
Curtis’s last blog post..Microsoft Ad that has all talking
September 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I thought the comma after Bourne and missed the THEN also. Good catch!
September 7th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Oh, so easy to spot. But THEN, I’m a grammar fanatic.
I also love numbers. I just celebrated the 3333rd item sold in my Etsy shop (http://time2cre8.etsy.com). Yay!
September 7th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
ugh, that is one of my pet peeves!!!
Kelly’s last blog post..Mac Loves the Gangstas
September 7th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Actually, there are four grammatical errors. ‘then’ instead of ‘than’ is the second error.
The other three are (in square brackets):
“His code name was Jason Bourne, but he [had] had many identities, each [new] one seemingly more deadly [than] the [last].”
The reason is because he had had many identities in the past, he didn’t currently have all of them in the present (because operatives use and discard identities, creating new ones as needed).
Richard Catto’s last blog post..What did I do with my Google Chrome today?
September 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I see your snob, and I raise you three.
Richard Catto’s last blog post..What did I do with my Google Chrome today?
September 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
@Daisy the Curly Cat: “I added you to my blogroll, too! Even though I was sad when I found out it was not a sammich.”
Hahahahahahaha!!!!
I want your kittens.
Richard Catto’s last blog post..What did I do with my Google Chrome today?
September 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Grammar snobs unite!
JD at I Do Things’s last blog post..I Research Kittens so you don’t have to
September 7th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I dno’t do erors, I mena thye colud be write in frnot of me and I wil pass right ovre them. My brain auto corrects when reading.
I have a friend like you and she points out every thing we (group of email buddies) type incorrectly.
I hope she can pick out that I left her name out of my will. LOL!
okay the error above, I found, but I had to read it twice, forward and backwards.
Natural’s last blog post..Butt-to-Gutt Ratio Gone Wild
September 7th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
You and my husband would get along very very well.
Now I must go show him what you have found.
Monique’s last blog post..Paging Dr. Monique
September 7th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
@Drowsy Monkey: “(more) deadly … should be deadlier”
Well spotted. That’s five.
Richard Catto’s last blog post..What did I do with my Google Chrome today?
September 7th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Oh, I’m with you on that! I’ve made several posts about words, language and grammar. (English teachers say to put the comma before the “and” in the series; journalism professors and the AP Stylebook say not to do so.) You might enjoy this one: http://blondesherry.blogspot.com/2008/06/he-injured-what.html.
I really enjoy your blog!
September 7th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Mon Dieu ! It’s the grammaire police and they are everywhere ! Parlez en français … Ils ne nous arrêteront jamais !
Jaffer’s last blog post..Another season another design
September 7th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
THEN instead of THAN?
~ Christopher ~
http://cmarlow480.blogspot.com/
Christopher’s last blog post..False Accusations / Nosey People
September 7th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I know all the answers to this one…Easy!!!
…. Let me explain them all …
…oh gotta go…phones ringing…later…I think it’s my friend who talks for hours, days, even weeks sometimes.
So please someone give the right answers FOR ME while I’m gone….TKS.
Alan’s last blog post..Top 100 Things I HATE on being clean and sober
September 7th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
More deadly than the next? If it’s the next, it hasn’t happened yet! Who wrote this? there’s more errors than there are sentences!
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..Fings ain’t what they used to be!
September 7th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
It’s errors like these that keep me busy with proofreading jobs.
And I do the same thing with my odometer, only I usually want to park the car permanently when it hits a good number. Walking sucks though.
LuckyGirl’s last blog post..Lucky Number 13
September 7th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Too funny! DH and I have paused to read the print in movies too. I don’t think we’ve done it for this film though.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
“Then” used instead of “than,” but maybe also a comma after “world.” As for getting excited over 77,777, that’s just the type of thing that I enjoy noticing. It’s the little, sometimes seemingly insignificant, moments that make life interesting…or just life life.
And, please, do on point out the grammar mistakes in this comment or my blog…please, please?
peace,
mike
livelife365
Mike Foster’s last blog post..Bananarama
September 8th, 2008 at 12:17 am
yup, immediately saw the “then”/”than” error. About as bad as seeing the “it’s”/”its” mistake. No grammar snobbery, let me assure ya!
*lynne*’s last blog post..yummy, a list for breakfast!
September 8th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Then should have been than.
Em Dy’s last blog post..Babylon A.D.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Each one more deadly then the next…. could you say this technically has two errors?
1. more deadly = deadlier
2. than the next = than the last (!!!)
xx
anita
Daily Blissings’s last blog post..Personal Year of Astrology
September 8th, 2008 at 1:49 am
“then” -> “than”
“next” -> “last”
kyrillos’s last blog post..CyJen’s Nominated for Filipino Blog of the Week
September 8th, 2008 at 4:20 am
To be diplomatic, someone I once knew in the education profession used to make this error regularly. Drove me crazy!
Neena’s last blog post..Wine.com Coupon Codes
September 8th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Jaffer — Right, and I don’t see the double hyphen many other places, except I use that all the time in my blog. I allow myself some leeway.
Karen — I think I’m the only one who cares when my odometer turns over to a weird number. I was disappointed when I missed seeing my current car turn to 44,444. You are correct. I’m very weird.
Daisy the Curly Cat — I always knew you were a gud speller. And it’s amazing you can type at all, what with your paws and everything. Mmmmm…. sammich.
Joe — Yep, word processors made everyone lazy. And I’m afraid text messaging will make things worse before they get better.
brooke — Oh, don’t give me a test on “laid,” “lie,” or “lain.” It’s laid, but I’d be inclined to change the word to “relaxed.”
Marlaine — I forgive a lot of spelling and grammar errors in blogs, except, like you, when it’s so bad I can barely read it.
DrowseyMonkey — I don’t know. It’s that OK? Like if you said “I’m more friendly than most.” Same as “I’m friendlier than most.” Uh-oh. Now I’m confusing myself.
Ferd — Believe it or not, I’m getting over it, too. Except when people who should know better are careless. What always bothers me is the misuse of “its” vs. “it’s.”
sue — Oh, that’s good! I’m guessing it’s not postpartum fatness. She’s a freak of nature.
mizmell — It shows you care and it shows all your term papers will be handed in with perfect spelling and grammar!
Curtis — Ah, but you knew this one, so you’re not bad off. Oh, that reminds me of another one I hate: your/you’re. Everybody gets that wrong.
Data Entry — It’s funny. Until I read the comments, I didn’t think the comma was wrong.
MaryLou — Yea! Someone else likes to see number patterns! Congrats, BTW.
Kelly — My biggest peeve is the misuse of “its” vs. “it’s.” Drives me batty.
Richard Catto — Yikes! I didn’t see all that. Talk about breaking down a sentence. Remember doing that in grade school? You must have been an ace!
JD at I Do Things — I’m relieved so many people commented on this post. It means maybe we can save the language from being totally butchered. Shall we have T-shirts made?
Natural — I used to point errors out to people, but you don’t make many friends that way. I only do it for people when I’m reviewing articles or resumes, where you must get it right. In casual communications, though, I read right over it. I would never point out a mistake in an email. That just ain’t right.
Monique — He’ll love it! There was something fun about seeing it in a movie. He’ll appreciate it, no doubt.
Richard Catto — I’m still not sure that’s wrong. Maybe just bad form?
Sherry Martschink — Oh, that’s a great post! An injured thing? There is no substitute for reviewing copy with eyeballs! (And thanks! Good to have you on-board).
Jaffer — Mais je ne peux pas parler français!
Christopher — You, sir, are correct!
Alan — Hey, come back here!
Babs beetle — I’m impressed with how much you guys are finding in this story. Maybe I should start a series where I post a grammatically-incorrect passage and see what you do with it. Contest time!
LuckyGirl — I used to think I could be an editor, but not anymore. I can’t keep all the rules straight. It’s only the easy stuff like “then” for “than” where I’m sharpest. I was so bummed when I missed my current car turning over to 44,444. I pouted all the way to 44,449.
pussreboots — I remember once when The Simpsons showed a really long passage and, in it, they mocked people who freeze-frame text on-screen. Very clever!
Mike Foster — You know I’m going to blog about it when I reach 55,555. And I don’t care who makes fun of me! As for comments, I just installed a comment editing plug-in. If you make a mistake that drives you nuts, you can always fix it!
lynne — “It’s” vs. “its” drives me the craziest. It’s the one thing I get stuck on and detracts from my reading. That’s as close as I get to snobbery.
Em Dy — I’m blown away by all the people who found it and commented. I’m pleased that so many of us are bugged by it!
Daily Blissings — I still think “more deadly” is OK, but I do see where “than the last” is better than “than the next.”
kyrillos — Yes! See last comment.
Neena — I can see why. It’s worse when someone who shouldn’t do it does it. GRRRR!
September 8th, 2008 at 6:50 am
My personal bugbear is the misappropriation of the poor apostrophe. When I see the poor little chap used to denote the plural, I feel like beating the writer to death with a big, sturdy question mark.
Lord Likely’s last blog post..Everybody Likes Likely
September 8th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Well, this might be picky, but I hate mixing up present and past tenses. The title is in present tense, the content in past tense.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:59 am
I’m old school. I prefer proper grammar. The one thing I hate with a passion is when people say da instead of the. Very common in text messages where I’m at. That is bad. When I see that I feel exactly like Lord Likely feels when he sees a misplaced apostrophe.
Shiko’s last blog post..Intersexual Held In Kamiti Prison - To Release Or Not To Release?
September 8th, 2008 at 7:59 am
I’m old school. I prefer proper grammar. The one thing I hate with a passion is when people say da instead of the. Very common in text messages where I’m at. That is bad. When I see that I feel exactly like Lord Likely feels when he sees a misplaced apostrophe.
Shiko-Msa’s last blog post..Intersexual Held In Kamiti Prison - To Release Or Not To Release?
September 8th, 2008 at 8:02 am
kathy. if i might go off topic… I’m impressed that you watched a Matt Damon/ Jason Bourne Film. That’s a guy movie. Wsa Dave watching with you?
Mrs C loves Mel Gibson/ George Clooney films. those she will see with me.
as for odometers, I’m weird that way too. i won’t stop my car on a reading that is all 6’s. I’m sure that if i stop and park, something bad will happen. I’m weird too.
Chris (Casey)’s last blog post..Introducing a new “Tools of Testosterone” Family member….!
September 8th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Oops. Sorry for the repeat comment.
Shiko-Msa’s last blog post..Intersexual Held In Kamiti Prison - To Release Or Not To Release?
September 8th, 2008 at 8:18 am
The use of ‘then’ instead of ‘than’ is the glaring error, but the whole thing is a mess. For a start, the title says ‘Who IS Jason Bourne?’ and then the text begins with ‘his code name WAS Jason Bourne’. The comma is dubious but allowable, but the clause ‘each one seemingly more deadly than the next’ is just all-round ugly.
‘Seemingly more deadly’? ‘More deadly than the next’??? Gaaahhh!!! Where’s my red pen?
Jay’s last blog post..Caterpillar update
September 8th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I didn’t have to guess after reading twelve comments! I guess I always get here too late. So many blogs, too little time, you know how that is. And I will admit it, I didn’t spot it. I was looking for spelling mistakes.
windyridge’s last blog post..Those “Free” TV Digital Converters Work!
September 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
As a computer programmer I’m all too aware of THEN vs THAN. Eighteen years of IF/THEN statements will do that to you.
Jeff’s last blog post..In Your Face!
September 8th, 2008 at 10:45 am
What exactly were parts 1 and 2 of the special report?
OK, Crazy’s last blog post..Into Wedlock: Marriage and the Shackles of Love
September 8th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Writing “then” when it should be “than” drives me nuts. Guys don’t seem to care about those kind of inaccuracies on film. For instance, my husband doesn’t really care if an actress’ boobs are fake, but I keep pointing it out.
kathcom’s last blog post..Genius! Drown the Fly!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Yeah — I see it “more deadly then the next” — wtf??
Outsourcing — see what it brings us down to??
Margaret’s last blog post..Common Garden Spider
September 8th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Should be than instead of then. Right?
cardiogirl’s last blog post..Cant’cha smell that smell?
September 8th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Well I think it is far more impressive that you even SAW that error in a MOVIE. On TV.
Eagle-eyed indeed there Kathy! Do you have a 72 inch television or do you sit nose to the screen just waiting for typos?
You should be one of those people who write the ever-increasing lists of continuity errors for imdb.com.
Maureen’s last blog post..We Eat Ham, And Jam And Spam A Lot
September 8th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Ahhh bummer! I didn’t guess this one! I had to read comments to get the answer. lol
This weekend we were watching the first season of The X Files and when Dana looked at her watch the hands said 5:05 but the digital said 4:03…weird huh???
Lori’s last blog post..Hopefully there’s no porn
September 8th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
A+
September 8th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
‘Seemingly’ is also superfluous here. Any editor worth his/her salt would cut it.
Shieldmaiden96’s last blog post..One More Step Toward Bleak Midwinter
September 8th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Can *I* spot the error?
Depends what you think an error is.
Some folks believe that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were supposed to be a “package deal for life” (i am sure they had a contract somewhere from third grade onward) and his name is not above the title on this one.
I guess Ben Affleck’s good looks (so say People magazine or whoever decides who is attractive) couldn’t balance out Matt Damon’s acting ability any more. Some say that is the error here…Ben Affleck was robbed out and will never get to be Bourne Free, or Bourne to be Wild or any of that stuff.
TheSnackHound’s last blog post..Uniting a “Uni-Room”
September 8th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
The same kind of thing drives me nuts as well. I go out of my mind when I get e-mails from people who are supposed to be professionals that have grammar and spelling errors. And when the e-mail is from an executive it makes my teeth itch.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Lord Likely — Beating of writers who commit that offense is both justified and encouraged.
BabaBooey — God, I’m hating this passage more and more now. I think it’s time to write the movie producers and give them a piece of our minds.
Shiko — Ugh. That’s a bad one. Looks stupid and makes you sound stupid. But I hardly think anyone who does it really cares, which is sad.
Jay — I love that we’re tearing apart this passage. Yes, the tense thing is almost as bad as then/than. I should republish the image loaded with all our mistakes IN RED! It would look a bloody mess, literally.
windyridge — Sister, you have no idea. I may have to start a series on this issue. Lots of people are gleefully editing bad copy. You can get the next one, OK?
Jeff — IF anyone else here is a programmer, THEN you have my sympathies. ELSE, count your blessings.
OK, Crazy — The reporter was doing a series on Jason Bourne. We know this because Bourne asks him “what have you been writing about?” Beyond that, I can’t say since I really only got into the action of the movie. Plot details are often lost on me.
kathcom — Funny! To men, the fact is boobs are boobs are boobs are boobs.
Margaret — The sad thing is it may not have been outsourced. I see mistakes in the local paper like this, too. GRRRR!
cardiogirl — Yep. You get a gold star for noticing.
Maureen — I have a habit of always checking text when it appears for a split second (gotta love freeze frame!) I love reading those continuity errors on IMDB.com. I try to remember some of them for the next time I watch a particular movie. Guess it’s a quirk of mine. There are many, as you well know.
Lori — Oooo! Another person who likes to find movie errors! See, I’m not that crazy. I’m in good company!
brooke — Too bad I don’t get money for finding errors. Now that’d be a fun job.
Shieldmaiden96 — You’re right. It sounds like novel-writing, not copy for the newspaper. Good one!
TheSnackHound — Family Guy did a funny bit on the inexplicable success of these two. I never understood the appeal of Ben Afflack, and some even wonder how Matt Damon got so big. The Bourne series redeems him, but just barely. Just goes to show the viewing public will watch almost anyone. Which is why we should all get our 15 minutes of fame some day.
Lee — Me too! I’ve pointed errors out to high-level staff, but they never appreciate it. The way I look at it is I’ve just saved them face. Thanks are in order.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
And how many people probably saw that before it was considered done? Ugh…
Becki’s last blog post..Tomorrow!!!
September 8th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I just thought of something. Maybe the person who published this paper for use in the movie was going for authenticity. Afterall, newspapers are full of retractions and typos if you think about it. Maybe they just wanted it to be more “real.”
TheSnackHound’s last blog post..Uniting a “Uni-Room”
September 8th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
THEN should be THAN!!!! Yay for grammar snobs!!! I peruse anything and everything….errors are on billboards, in newspapers, EVERYWHERE!!
September 8th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I go through phases. Bad grammar always bugs me, but am I in the mood to point it out that day?
And sometimes, when someone excitedly asks you to get in the car, you just do it. Unless they just threw a big cement block in the trunk.
Margaret’s last blog post..There’s Never a Hero Around When you Need One
September 8th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Hi! I just wanted to let you now how much I enjoy your site. I would be honored if you would accept the “I Love Your Blog Award over at CROCODILE SOUP FOR THE SOUL.
Laurie
http://lanne67-crocodilesoup.blogspot.com/
Laurie’s last blog post..I Love Your Blog
September 8th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Wow, it took me a while to find that one. But I remember doing the same thing with that movie Paycheck. I think they used the wrong “it’s” or something. And I’ve actually found worse in real newspapers. Not too long ago there was a story in our paper about how gas was so expensive that truckers were literally burning money.
diesel’s last blog post..Throwing My Vote Away (on a Smaller Vagina)
September 8th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
What about the change in tenses? Title uses present tense, while the body of the article uses past tense.
I too look for this stuff, but normally I reserve such hunts for small business outdoor advertising. Making nouns plural seems to be of particular difficulty in Atlanta.
muskrat’s last blog post..semen tissues like islands in a stream
September 8th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
PS- I too celebrate odometer readings. There’s yelling and horn-honking involved. And sometimes, narcotics!
muskrat’s last blog post..semen tissues like islands in a stream
September 8th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
My odometer turned over to 77,777 miles
I understand completely. I got positively giddy when we typed invoice no. 99999 at work.
Musing’s last blog post..Blogtations on YouTube!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I believe I caught most of the grammatical errors seen here and may have spotted a new one: who uses a double hyphen “- -”?
Some Bourne Ultimatum trivia:
- Journalist character Simon Ross works at the Guardian, which is a genuine, famous British newspaper with a large circulation.
- The Guardian’s offices appear in the film.
- Ross’ editor is played by Alan Rusbridger – the real Editor of the Guardian.
- The Guardian is often lampooned as “The Grauniad”, as it once featured a preponderance of textual errors – mostly due to scrambling of letters in its ancient “hot metal” type casting process.
Perhaps the ghost of the Grauniad has resurfaced?
September 9th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Hi! Just to be different! Considering he hasn’t died yet, I will correct: “he had many identities”. It should read, touch wood, “he has many identities”. Boy, I hope my grammar is right.
Peter McCartney’s last blog post..Father’s Day Downunder
September 9th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Someone talked about text messaging murdering the English language further? I recently had a debate on my blog about that very worrying trend. Check this out! http://wanjiku-unlimited.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-wanna-text-you-up.html
Shiko-Msa’s last blog post..Intersexual Held In Kamiti Prison - To Release Or Not To Release?
September 9th, 2008 at 3:36 am
i’m amazed that you spotted that. what keen eyes you have…
kouji’s last blog post..haiku poem: downpour
September 9th, 2008 at 4:11 am
You are very keen to have spotted that at once. If you haven’t pointed out there was something totally wrong with it, I wouldn’t have noticed at all.
I think it’s a crime for publications to commit such kind of error. They have proofreaders and editors and “simple” error like that shouldn’t be missed. I was referring to “THEN”. It should have been “THAN”.
Lainy’s last blog post..Too Many Things To Do, But Too Little Time
September 9th, 2008 at 4:40 am
Chris — Dave and I watched it together. I do like a good action flick now and then. Also, it was incredible on the new audio system. Theater-quality. I get the whole 66,666 thing. I think your wheels fall off if you stop when it hits that number.
Becki — Maybe they never looked at it, thinking who would be goofy enough to freeze-frame on it?
TheSnackHound — I could see that. Or maybe it was an “in joke.” Nah. Probably just a mistake.
Carol J. — They stick out like sore thumbs to me. For all the effort that goes into making a movie or a sign, you’d think someone would eyeball it better.
Margaret — I do, too. And I’ll admit I don’t always notice. Somehow this one jumped out at me. Husband still thinks I’m strange and he’ll never get in the car with me now unless I tell him why.
Laurie — Thanks so much for the award. I’m honored and happy to have you as a regular reader. {{blushing}}
diesel — God, I can never spell your name right on the first try. “It’s” always jumps out at me. Wrote about it in the early months. Also researched my newspaper’s online archives for misuses of “literally.” Best offense: “During the proceedings of the morning neither Grace nor McMath had much to say to defense counsel, although they literally “hung’ on every word of Mr. Taylor.” Oh yeah? How exactly do you do that?
muskrat — You’re right. Tense is mismatched. And pluralizing words incorrectly is a major offense. But Lord Likely has the solution (see above) and I fully support it. I’ll celebrate my next same-digit odometer rollover. There will be champagne (not while driving, of course).
Musing — And now you don’t need to feel funny about it the next time it happens. We are soul sisters!
dizzley — Unfortunately, I do, but only in this blog when responding to comments. I don’t know why. I’ve done it since the beginning and now I can’t stop. Cool trivia! Thanks for sharing. I often check IMDB.com for trivia after I watch a movie. Thank God for the internet.
Peter McCartney — You’re right. But it’s possible everyone thought he was dead by the third installment in the series. I know, it’s bad. I just watched the movie and I’m still not sure.
Shiko-Msa — Oh, thank you for that link! What a great post! I’m of the opinion that texting is ruining the language, despite protests that it’s a simple evolution. If that’s the case, God help us all. I can’t read it! I pride myself on texting in full words (proper case and grammar, etc).
kouji — Than/then and it’s/its always stick out for me. They’re two of my biggest peeves.
Lainy — Agreed. People in publications should have special radar for that, don’t you think?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
THAN!!! I’m a bit of a grammar snob. Actually, I’m lying. I’m a total snob.
Ivory
Children’s author
September 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Kathy, you revealed it to early or you should make it hidden somewhere else. Anyhow, I got it when you have pointed that there is something wrong with it, but, I am deceived at first glance.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Ivory — And where do we think the language would be without grammar snobs? I’m too lax sometimes to call myself a bonefide snob, but I’m glad some people don’t mind. It may save us all from a complete trashing of the language.
Mark — Be glad I didn’t boldface it. Some didn’t see it right away. Maybe I’ll make it tougher next time and really make everyone go insane.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Of course I can spot it! Doesn’t everyone see that little red flag? I’m a librarian AND a big freak about grammar & typos. Perhaps we should arm wrestle for the title?
By the way, Mama O survived the summer of Darling Daughter’s wedding madness! And if you have time, be sure to vote for Regan!
Mama O’s last blog post..Vote For Regan!
September 10th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Yep, my pet peeve…then vs than. It’s one of the most common mistakes.
lala’s last blog post..As Promised—Hanna Update and Photos
September 10th, 2008 at 9:08 am
The whole “than” “then” problem is pretty common and always ends up catching my eye. Hooked on phonics doesn’t work for everything…
Jenn’s last blog post..Cabbagey Roadtrip Revelations
September 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Mama O — Oh, you win already. Hands down! Voted for Regan and will keep voting! Gotta love that face!
lala — That and it’s/its, there/their/they’re. Ugh.
Jenn — Neither do spell checkers. Before word processing programs existed, I’m quite sure everyone’s spelling was far more accurate. Sign ‘o the times.
September 11th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Then/than! UGH. One of my pet peeves along with there/their/they’re.
Anne’s last blog post..Veggie Wednesday: The Forbidden Fruit
September 13th, 2008 at 4:41 am
Anne — I’m guessing you would have caught it, too. That is, if you’re insane like me and think to freeze text on-screen. How much you wanna bet you do it now?
September 16th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Haha thats amazing how you could pick up on that! I was puzzled for like 10 mins lol
September 16th, 2008 at 1:24 am
ah. will have to watch out for my its-es and it’s-es on these comments then. :O
kouji’s last blog post..captivating Capiz, a haiku poem
September 16th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Jokes — Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Lots of people stared at the screen for a good long while!
kouji — Oh, never worry about spelling and grammar in this blog. I don’t wear my grammar police uniform here!
October 10th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Than is correct.
I’m like you but I truly am a grammar snob. In fact, nothing humiliates me more than when I make a grammatical error. I’ve fallen on my face, slipped down stairs, confessed my love, had my skirt blown up by the wind, etc, but I just laugh them off. I make a grammatical mistake? I slink off, hoping to die.
Frances’s last blog post..I’m famous!
October 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Frances — I feel the same way! I figure if I’m going to call myself a writer, I need to have the basics down, right?