7 Words I Never Want To See In Your Blog Posts

November 3, 2011 By Joey Strawn Filed Under: Blogging Tips 215 Comments

When I was in high school, my junior year English teacher had a saying: “Words are power.” I’ll bet she said it at least 4 times a week. She would pull out example after example to prove her point even though no one in the class disagreed with her.

We all knew words were important and should be taken seriously, it’s why we were in AP Writing & Literature in the first place, but that didn’t stop her telling us about the Gettysburg Address and the Declaration of Independence and Mel Gibson’s speech from Braveheart.

Oh yes, words are power all right. It was drilled into my brain and resounds with me to this day. It still irks me when my wife or friends send me texts saying “your” when they mean “you’re” or “its” when they mean “it’s”. They aren’t huge deals in texts, but they’re HUGE deals in your writing.

The list that will follow this introduction are merely pet peeves of mine and you are free to disagree with me (although Ms. Davidson’s junior English class will tell you you’re wrong), but I truly believe words are power and the misuse of words not only is a misuse of power, it also makes you look like a doody-head.

Let’s do this.

7 Words or Phrases That Make Your Writing Appear Crappy

Your/You’re & Their/There/They’re – I’ve already mentioned this one in text context, but let me reiterate: Use the words you mean and use them correctly. If you are trying to tell us that “they are” going to do something, use the proper conjunction. For example:

Incorrect: See that blog over their, there writing is terrible and I never want to read it. I think I’ll burn they’re house to the ground.

Correct: Words are power and when used incorrectly, they’re going to make you sound like a cotton-headed ninnymuggins.

Let’s get this out of the way and move on:

There = A Place
Their = People’s Stuff
They’re = “They are”
Your = Your Stuff
You’re = “You are”

“Utilize” and other Ten Dollar Nonsenses – You aren’t getting paid by the syllable over here, Charles Dickens. No one thinks you’re any smarter than you actually are because you use a triple syllabic word where a monosyllabic will work just fine. I don’t want to feel like I’m reading the instructions for a 1980s VCR when I’m reading your post about the differences between Outbound and Inbound Marketing. Tell me what I need to know, in the best way possible, and move on. If you’re smart, I’ll catch on and think you’re smart. If you’re not, adding in words like “utilize” or “objurgate” isn’t going to convince me otherwise.

Irregardless – This isn’t a word. Stop using it. It makes you sound stupid.

Fewer vs. Less – A lot of you are probably getting this wrong and you don’t even realize it. These two words are NOT interchangeable. Fewer refers to things that are countable and have specific numerical values, such as money, buildings, human beings or boogers. Less refers to things that can’t be counted like happiness, stupidity or common sense. For example:

Frank Dickinson had fewer baked beans than Danny Brown, so he made less of a stink in the elevator.

Effect vs. Affect – One is a noun and one is a verb. They are extremely different. Learn the difference and use them accordingly. (Here’s a hint – Affect is the verb as in “His shitty writing affected his website’s traffic and his dreams of being a blogger-turned-TV-show-host”.)

Its vs. It’s – This one took me for a loop most of my life. Honestly, it’s only been the last year or two that I’ve really had a handle on it. Here’s the skinny: Its = possessive and refers to things that belong to its. It’s = “it is”

Putting Two Spaces After Periods – Argue with me all you want, but this is no longer necessary. If you want the long explanation, check out this article in Slate, but for our purposes, let’s just say it’s an antiquated rule based on type-faces available to printers at the time and has no bearing on our writing today. This habit took me a few weeks to break, but there is absolutely no reason why you should be putting two spaces after every period in your blog writing anymore. Stop it.

Okay, that’s my list. You may agree and you may disagree, but personally I don’t care. When I come across writing with any one of these mistakes repeated multiple times, I tend to take a good, long look at the author and assess the necessity of the blog in my Google Reader. And I know that “language is an evolving art” and blah, blah, blah, but some things are wrong and that’s just the way things are, so quit your belly-aching and stop using “your” when you mean “you’re”.

What are your biggest pet peeves when it comes to blogs and writing? (Note: the first person to leave the comment “My biggest pet peeve is when people write blog posts about grammar pet peeves. Just let me write and express myself however I want. HAHAHA, SEE WHAT I DID THERE, I’M FUNNY!” gets a snide look from me and a smart alec response.)

Now it’s your turn, add to the list and let’s air some dirty laundry.

Thoughts?

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Filed Under: Blogging Tips Tagged With: adverbs, blogging, blogging advice, pet peeves in writing, right writing, there they're and their, writing, your and you're

About Joey Strawn

Joey Strawn is a blogger, husband, entrepreneur, and general purveyor of awesomeness and currently blogs at JoeyStrawn.com. He is president of Empty Jar Marketing in Nashville, Tenn. and works with local and national businesses to increase exposure and brand using digital marketing strategies.

pamelamaeross

I love this post! I can’t agree more with your references to incorrect spelling of words. In fact, when I am reading something and come across the wrong use of “there/they’re/their” etc, I physically can’t read any further. I also have never understood the use of big words when small ones will do. It makes you seem like you’re trying to be smarter than you are, and just makes things more difficult to read. Thank you so much for posting this. I hope everyone reads it and takes this advice!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @pamelamaeross Thanks, Pamela! I’m happy we see eye to eye on these issues. : )
kdwald

I agree with everything except the last suggestion. Although, in formatting it can be a problem. And I’d add forgetting to use both quotation marks to the list. And forgetting to open AND close with parentheses.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @kdwald Quotation marks is a good one to add. I would definitely suggest reading more about the “2 spaces after a period rule” though because it really is an unnecessary practice in our age of copywriting. Thanks for the comment!
  - kdwald
    
    Twitter is teaching me to use just one space. See? And thanks for adding the second bracket in your post! (Didn’t think I’d let you get away with that, did you?)
theBTWWTF

These are all great tips, and any serious writer should have mastered these rules early on. I’m a big stickler for commas. I need them to be in the right place. I follow AP style, though not everyone does. A comma in the wrong place or not there at all can drive me batty!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @theBTWWTF COMMAS! I knew I forgot something. Punctuation is key. I love the book Eats, Shoots and Leaves for that very reason. Thanks for mentioning it.
matthewralph

Great list! I blame grocery stores on the fewer/less problem since they insist on using 15 items or less instead of 15 items or fewer on the signs for express lanes.

I would add ridiculous phrases like “first annual,” “state-of-the-art” and “outside the box.”

Even if two spaces after a period were correct – which as Farhad Manjoo so eloquently puts it is

“totally, completely, utterly, and inarguably” not – it looks ugly.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @matthewralph AMEN on everything you said. Thank you.
filmrant

Great post, I totally agree and as a copywriter who is continually deleting double spaces from company press releases put together by people who think they know how to write, I’m glad someone is backing me up!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @filmrant You are very much supported and backed up. : )
OneGoodMinute

There are a number of reasons why I still like the two spaces after a period. First, a lot of word processor apps will automatically add the period after two spaces, which I find helpful, especially when using a screen keyboard (smartphone, iPad). Also, with my developer background I always liked well spaced out code for readability and in my writing I still tend towards extra spaces and line breaks.

I do agree with everything else written here.

MikeR
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @OneGoodMinute Thanks for the comment Mike. I will throw in the caveat of the two spaces rule doesn’t necessarily apply to writing code. I have no experience with that and really can’t speak to the uses in that field. Thanks for bringing it up though!
alisonstoodley

Major pet peeve: using loose for lose. Loose = not tight, lose = not found. I know it’s our ridiculous language rules that puts a long O in a word with just one, but nevertheless it is a rule. Also, overusing an exclamation point – Great post!!!!!!!! – has the opposite effect, I now look at the writing as drivel.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @alisonstoodley Perfect examples and the “Loose/Lose” misuse drives me crazy too. Great examples!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
http://honeybeeconsulting.com/ startabuzz

As it’s been pointed out, most of this stuff should’ve been mastered by anyone with serious designs on writing. However, it’s always stunning to me how many people have *not* mastered these things that are taught, for the most part, in grade school. And it always feels good to vent frustrations, especially when it comes to rampant idiocy. Since it seems to be the one big sticking point here, I’ll throw my $0.02 in and say that I find the 2-spaces-after-a-period thing supremely irritating. It’s nothing more than a typographical convention, held over from what my kids refer to as “olden times.” Totally unnecessary.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @startabuzz Totally agree. The issue I find more and more with grammar issues is that the Internet has made publishing content “anyone’s game” and while that’s fine, some people simply haven’t put in the time or effort to even review simple rules, hence, many mistakes. Thanks for your comment!
zahndrew

Another: insure vs. ensure.

Insure = secure/protect someone/something.

Ensure = make certain something should/should not occur.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @zahndrew Exactly. Thanks!
http://www.skypulsemedia.com/ HowieSPM

i wrote Oliver Twist you did not. Stop telling me I am the problem when your the problem. Its just the way it is irregardless of you’re feelings. And btw the fewer times I need to respond or utilize my depth of vocab the best.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @HowieSPM Love. This. Comment. I’ve missed your sardonic wit and lack of tact, Howie. Where have you been? : )
  - http://www.skypulsemedia.com/ HowieSPM
    
    @joey_strawn Joey I have missed your cartoons and your lack of suckiness. Actually serious lack of suckiness. The number of comments here is incredible and shows how much people respect your teachings! I need to dive bomb your blog I promise I will not hide..though I might run 8) Great post here btw because it shows your sincerity to help people!
- http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/ KDillabough
  
  @HowieSPM Howie, you win yet another award from me for this comment. I’m LMAO
  - http://www.skypulsemedia.com/ HowieSPM
    
    @KDillabough I am just glad he didn’t use James Joyce as his author of choice. I would of had to pull some garbled mess from Finnegan’s Wake and that would of set off the fire alarms here.
jackiepaulson

I love your examples and you are so right about misplaced words like you have above “There = A PlaceTheir = People’s StuffThey’re = “They are”Your = Your StuffYou’re = “You are”
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @jackiepaulson Thanks! @DannyBrown likes the examples too.
Daryl_Woods

Do feel free to use the words doody-head and ninnymuggins at will. Although I’m confused as to why one is hyphenated and the other isn’t.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @Daryl_Woods It’s just the way things are. : ) LOL.
nbrgraphs

I second the irritating use of “loose” for “lose”.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @nbrgraphs Me too. : )
http://dannybrown.me/ DannyBrown

Joey, yet again you blow it out the park, my man. All I can say is, “Hell yeah!” and leave you with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StJ-OK4jiSY
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @DannyBrown HAHAHA, Yes! Thanks, Danny. I really appreciate it. I also thought you’d enjoy showing up in the examples. : )
  - http://dannybrown.me/ DannyBrown
    
    @joey_strawn You even got the use of beans right – well played.
    - http://www.skypulsemedia.com/ HowieSPM
      
      @DannyBrown@joey_strawn black beans or kidney beans?
- http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/ KDillabough
  
  @DannyBrown Love it!
- http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/ KDillabough
  
  @DannyBrown Love Stewie
BruceSallan

Joey, will you grammar check my writing from now on? I still have pro-noun issues! I loved when people say, “Orientated.” I don’t see it in writing, but often hear it verbally. I also dislike “Reason why,” as it’s (its?) redundant – think about it.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @BruceSallan I agree with everything you said. Thanks for the great comment! Yes, I will be your personal copyeditor. (BTW, the correct use in that context is “it’s”)
soul_whispers

As I writer I appreciate a good editor and reminders such at this one.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @soul_whispers Thank you for saying that. I need a good reminder now and then too. Cheers!
http://kexino.com/ KEXINO

Two spaces after a period (or “full stop”, as we call it over here): Guilty as charged. I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to break the habit for months now, so end up having to check my text and take out the double spaces manually.

Working with clients in both North America and Europe, I’m often pulled-up on the use of the Oxford (aka “serial” Comma. It seems to be more common in the US than Europe.
http://kexino.com/ KEXINO

Two spaces after a period (or “full stop”, as we call it over here): Guilty as charged. I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to break the habit for months now, so end up having to check my text and take out the double spaces manually.

Working with clients in both North America and Europe, I’m often pulled-up on the use of the Oxford (aka “serial”) Comma. It seems to be more common in the US than Europe.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @KEXINO I thought about adding in the Oxford comma. I have my own preferences on it, but that rule has changed so many times I didn’t think it worth starting the argument (I don’t like it, BTW).
  
  The full stop is a tough habit to break, I honestly struggle for about 5 months before it was natural to not put it in. Keep on with the good fight, sir!
  - http://dannybrown.me/ DannyBrown
    
    @joey_strawn@KEXINO Being a Brit inn Canada and often writing stuff up for U.S. clients, the Z versus S in spelling is a peeve of mine.
    - http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/ KDillabough
      
      @DannyBrown@joey_strawn@KEXINO And I still put the “u” in words like honour, humour, favour. Trying to change that, as well as the ingrained 2 spaces after period that we were taught in typing class in grade school. Yikes! Did I just date myself into prehistoric times?
  - healingmuse
    
    @joey_strawn@KEXINO just for fun you may want to listen to Vampire Weekend’s “Oxford Comma”
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_i1xk07o4g&feature=fvsr
joey_strawn

@LorriW Thanks, Lori!
healingmuse

My irritation rises when I read in numerous health & meditation posts: your unconscious mind
Really, come on. To clarify, your unconscious mind is either sleeping or in a coma. It is your subconscious mind that you tap into in meditation, with intuition, and the one that plays tricks on you. My psych professor reamed out any student that misused these words.
Great post – Joey. (I love this site; read: sucking up!)
p.s. Wanted to use as many punctuation marks as possible. Maybe “youll” cover these in another post?
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @healingmuse Haha! Thanks for your comment and you bring up an interesting point: In each field of study there will be common misuses that get on people’s nerves and you brought up a good example of one. Thanks for opening up the avenue for that point to be made and there may very well be another post on punctuation. Until then, just read Eats, Shoots and Leaves. : )
http://www.douglasmckee.com/ dcmckee

Good Morning Danny. You should not have to teach grammar. They’re entirely capable of learning it by themselves. There are numerous tutorials available. It’s in their best interest because poor grammar has its effect on their blogging success. Poor grammar indicates their affect may be less expert than they hoped to portray. That part of their posting could be corrected by making fewer grammatical blunders.
- http://dannybrown.me/ DannyBrown
  
  @dcmckee Agreed, mate – though this post is all down to the bloggy goodness of @joey_strawn
veronicamarcetti

The way I tell my students to remember affect v. effect is the acronym RAVEN — Remember: Affect is a Verb and Effect is a Noun.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @veronicamarcetti I’ve never heard that acronym before. I like it! Thanks for sharing.
- mrsduby
  
  awesome!!! i just posted that i wish there was a way to remember this. Thank you for posting this … @veronicamarcetti
shepherd_group

@joey_strawn – We are a big fan Joey, thanks for sharing and keep them coming.
- joey_strawn
  
  @shepherd_group Thanks! I definitely will.
  - shepherd_group
    
    @joey_strawn – Cheers Joey!
    - joey_strawn
      
      @shepherd_group Cheers!
http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.

Has anybody mentioned “whose” versus “who’s” yet?
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @Erin F. No, you’re the first to throw that one in there. Thanks! It’s an amazing example and definitely needs to be mentioned.
LStocker

@jasonkonopinski Agree, although I do love the word “objurgate” & admit to still using 2 spaces at the end of sentences-tough one to break!
AaronGouveia

I liked this list. And thank you for the fewer/less than stuff. So many people ignore that one. Also, using the word “that” when referring to a person. For instance, “He’s the one that robbed me.” It should be “He’s the one WHO robbed me.” Furthermore, the word “that” can also be eliminated from the sentence half the time. For example, “I think that I want some food.” Useless. Just get rid of it. “I think I want some food.” An old copy editor at my first newspaper essentially beat the word “that” out of my vocabulary, and I’m better for it.

My only criticism is you wrote “Oubound marketing” instead of “outbound.” I just think it’s a little disingenuous to criticize others for grammar when you have a spelling mistake in the same sentence.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @AaronGouveia Thanks for pointing that out. I went back through very carefully in hopes of correcting all spelling or grammar mistakes, but it seemed on snuck through. It should be fixed now. Cheers!
- healingmuse
  
  @AaronGouveia “Useless” I love it. So much of our language is redundant.
  - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
    
    @healingmuse@AaronGouveia true
KacyTheDude

Lots of sass in this post from @joey_strawn. Much of it is well deserved. Good one man. http://t.co/0thTOA0T
melbechard

I think you meant to say “assess the necessity of the blog in my Google Reader” rather than “access.”
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @melbechard I think I did. Thanks for pointing that out. It has been corrected. : )
http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/ KDillabough

Joey, this is a fab post, and one that hits close to home. It’s taken me quite some time to drop the habit of two spaces after a period. Blame it on grade school typing class (eegads), where two spaces after every period was mandatory. But I’m getting better!

Our text-addicted generation has absolutely no idea about proper spelling, punctuation or grammar. I shudder when I read my sons’ correspondence. There’s no semblance of proper spelling, punctuation OR grammar, and it grates me like nails on a chalkboard (ah yes, yet another indicator of my age:)

Great post, great reminders Joey. Cheers! Kaarina (now did I leave just one space after every period, haha!)
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @KDillabough Haha! Thanks for the great comment! It was a tough habit for me to break too, due to the same education. : )
  - http://www.skypulsemedia.com/ HowieSPM
    
    @joey_strawn@KDillabough uhm Kaarina you do know that the word ‘Fab’ is actually 8th on his list right?
    - http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/ KDillabough
      
      @HowieSPM@joey_strawn Don’t care. I’m THE biggest Fab Four Beatles fan, and I shall continue to use fab:) And nanananabooboo
nancyhouse

I can’t stand people who use badly when it should be bad! And they usually correct people when they say “I feel bad” even though I feel bad is correct. It has something to do with feel being a linking verb, not an action verb.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @nancyhouse Verbs can be tough, especially when tenses and connection are involved. Thanks for the addition!
http://www.medtopicwriter.com/ texascopywriter

ALL of these words and grammatical foibles drive me nuts when I see them in posts or copy/content of ANY kind — save the two spaces after the period piece. I know it’s not necessary anymore, but haven’t committed myself to focusing on obliterating it from my keyboarding activities. I’m a pretty fast typist (70 wpm w/only two mistakes or so) and it might take some doing to break that habit. I’m, of course, purposely avoiding it while typing this commentary out of respect. It slows down my speed quite a bit to think that hard about it, but I suppose it will get better with time. As a journalist, the Houston Chronicle and other papers I write for on a freelance basis require that we use only one space after the period, so I have had to think about it many times. I guess I’ve just been lazy about breaking it. (hanging head in shame)

Thanks so much for this post!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @texascopywriter You’re very welcome! Keep up the good fight with the only using one space after the period. I know it’s tough to get there, but once you master it, think of all the milliseconds you’ll save when you only have to hit the space bar once after finishing a thought. You’ll be a speed demon! : )
  - http://www.freelancewritingdreams.com/ texascopywriter
    
    @joey_strawn LOL! You made me smile big and wide, like Texas, with that reply. Thanks!
salliegoetsch

@martinwaxman That’s a terrible title. It should be “Seven Mistakes I Never Want to See in Your Blog.”
- martinwaxman
  
  @salliegoetsch You’re right about that title…
BrandSprout

Thank you! Many of these items make me crazy as well, although I do admit that sometimes I’m guilty, too. Blame it on hasty typing.

A tip I love for remembering “its” is that it’s (it is) like “his” – no apostrophe there, either.

My favorite tip from your list is the double space. I’ve been telling people that one for years, and I hate taking them out of docs when I’m editing. We don’t type on typewriters anymore, and computer software spaces automatically, so please, don’t waste that space!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @BrandSprout Amen! I slip up on occasion too, that’s why I mention in the post that if I see the mistakes multiple times. Everyone is entitled to a few slip-ups here and there. : )
RandyTV

@martinwaxman – Hope all is well with you. Let’s chat when you have time.
- martinwaxman
  
  @RandyTV Sounds good!
Kristinesimpson

What about capitalization? Some people our obsessed with capitalizing everything that may sound important. Your position title is not capitalized, only proper nouns and titles are capitalized. The only titles that are capitalized are: Pope, President (of a country), Queen, Prime Minister, Mayor, etc.

Right sherrilynne !
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @Kristinesimpson Capitalization is important. It’s something I struggle with as well. Thanks for adding it to the list!
mrsduby

the title of this post was so captivating, i opened it immediately – as opposed to waiting till i went through all my emails.

i LOVED your list. I actually STOPPED using Effect / Affect in my sentences because i dont want to accidentally use them incorrectly. I wish there was a mnemonic device to help differentiate between the two.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @mrsduby Read through the comments, one person mentioned the acronym RAVEN for remebering Affect vs. Effect. It was really great.
jc_write

A really terrific post, Joey, thanks. Too bad that the majority of people, the great “unwashed masses,” will never read this, and those few who do will not care. Well, maybe some will get the message.

I have taught clear-writing to several different groups. The one that always has the greatest problem with dropping the double-space after periods is the government. If it weren’t for government – all levels – I think the double-space would have been dropped long ago.

I like this quote by Mark Twain as it points out a common problem in writing that has not changed since his day:

Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very”; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @jc_write Haha, I love that quote. I almost mentioned adverbs like “very” in the post, but decided to leave them out. Thanks for the great addition and the awesome quote!
courtcan

Joey, you speak the language of my heart. Your pet peeves are mine. We grok for sure. ; )

I do feel the need, though, to add something to your point about effect/affect, with effect as noun and affect as verb. True dat. But the following is also correct:

To effect change in the blogosphere is not as easy as it might seem.

She studied his affect and concluded he must be feeling blue.

Somebody has probably already said this, but I’d rather just toss in my two “sense” instead of scrolling through 80 comments. #lazy

; )
- http://courtcan.com/ courtcan
  
  (Also, I think you mean “smart aleck.”) ; )
  - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
    
    @courtcan I did, in fact, look that one up and there are many “correct” ways to spell it. I just chose one but figured someone would point it out. I was curious about it as swell. : )
    - http://courtcan.com/ courtcan
      
      @joey_strawn Ah. Glad I could do some pointing, then. ; ) I generally go by Merriam-Webster’s main definition–but I checked, and they do list “alec” as a variant. So I sit corrected. ; D
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @courtcan Haha, I appreciate you throwing that in and I don’t think anyone else has mentioned it. Thanks!
  - http://courtcan.com/ courtcan
    
    @joey_strawn One is glad to be of service. : )
karirippetoe

I love reading posts like this one. Not that I’m completely free of guilt on some of these (like “less” vs. “fewer”), but when I see people using the wrong form of a word (like their/there/they’re), it drives me insane!

Something I see WAY too much is use of the word “loose” instead of “lose” (i.e. “Let’s look at the map so we don’t loose our way”). HATE that!

Here’s an error that was once pointed out to me by a former boss, which I still make frequently: periods go inside of quotes rather than outside.
- BdotW
  
  @karirippetoe Wait, but what if I’m all like “oh my God!” and he’s all like “I know”. Then outside, oui? I should know this stuff; my father’s an English teacher. Those two sentences weren’t closely related, but I love semicolons as much as I love colons. Hint: see my reference to quantifying stink above.
  
  If you enjoyed the puns here, may the Lord bless you and keep you. If not, can you tell me when the next episode of any show involving Kardashians airs?
  - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
    
    @BdotW@karirippetoe The punctuation and quotation marks rules still trip me up to this day. Everybody’s gotta have something, amiright?
  - karirippetoe
    
    @BdotW Good point! He was usually catching me when I did it in the same way as your second example – the period ended the whole sentence rather than the quoted part. So I’ve been right all along!
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @karirippetoe@BdotW That’s where I get tripped up. I think I get it most of the time, but I’m not perfect.
    - http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.
      
      @joey_strawn@karirippetoe@BdotW That’s why writers have style guides and handbooks. I often use mine when I’m not sure about a word or the correct grammar.
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @Erin F.@karirippetoe@BdotW The AP Stylebook has been a saving grace on more than one occasion. I love that thing.
    - http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.
      
      @joey_strawn@karirippetoe@BdotW Mine’s MLA, but I believe it has a section devoted to AP just in case I need it. I do love my copy of The Little Brown Handbook. I’ve had that thing since college days.
BdotW

There’s not an apparatus yet to quantify stink? Woulda thought that’d be on the open market by now…
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @BdotW I’m working on an app.
SilvaGang

@rachaelgk You’re blog tips are super! Its nice that you utilized such good grammar in their! Thank you, it had a huge affect on me!
- rachaelgk
  
  @SilvaGang HA. Well played
BarrySchoenborn

I completely agree, and so should every technical writer in the country. Add to that every writer of fiction. (Incorrect use of words will get you rejected by agents and publishers, as it shows you to be an amateur.)
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @BarrySchoenborn Agreed!
GregOrtbach

Joey – thanks for the great post. I go nuts with “irregardless”. By the way – 1st time typing sentences without 2 spaces after the period. #reformed!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @GregOrtbach Yay! Welcome to the winning team!
healingmuse

you guys (gals) are all so chatty…another reason I don’t read the paper. I have to put time aside to read your commentary. (Note my refusal to capitalize the first letter – that’s my thing, I own it, you can’t have it)
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @healingmuse haha, it’s all yours. : )
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CrystalW07

It drives me nuts when people use they’re/their/there and the others incorrectly, especially bloggers that have thousands of followers. The same with random apostrophes- “Here are our photo’s from this weekend!”

I hate how one space after periods looks, though, so I shall continue to be antiquated.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @CrystalW07 Thanks for the comment Crystal! I agree with you about the apostrophe issues and hope you come around to the single space team eventually. It’s not so much about the look as much as about the practice. Actually, most word processors automatically add a tiny space after a period, so by adding two spaces, you are adding an unnecessary amount of white space to your copy. The choice is ultimately up to you though. : )
danaCreative

How about this for pet peeves?

1) Writers who write in second person, directing their commentary directly at the reader (as if the reader is at fault and is a bad person)

2) Writers who use passive tense when they should instead use active tense (e.g. “The list that will follow…” as opposed to “The list that follows…”)

3) Writers who cannot determine the practice of using two spaces after a period is neither a word nor a phrase (i.e. 7 Words or Phrases That Make Your Writing Appear Crappy)

Perhaps writers like that should “utilize” better care and judgement before posting their blog.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @danaCreative You win! You’re the first person to comment with a snarky hit at me (which always happens when a post on grammar is posted). Congratulations!
  
  - This is a blog and “you” were reading it, so my post was, in fact, directed at you.
  
  - Passive tense isn’t always wrong and is at the writer’s discretion to use as it does not affect the content of the piece. There were many instances of active tense in the piece.
  
  - Within the piece a stated that the list was merely a collection of pet peeves and the title was used for effect to get you to read the piece (it worked, BTW).
  
  Your prize is in the mail.
  - danaCreative
    
    I read your post because my wife tweeted she enjoyed it and not because of the title. Now that I see you’re the type of writer who insincerely using blogpost titles as a ‘bait and switch’ tactic just to get the read, I don’t have to worry missing anything given I won’t ever be reading you again. @joey_strawn
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @danaCreative You’re right, my blog post had absolutely nothing to do with the title. They were as unrelated as chocolate and sabertooth tigers. I have been discovered for my devious ways and hypocritical writing.
    - http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.
      
      @joey_strawn I like the idea of writing about chocolate and sabertooth tigers. How to combine those two things into a single post? Hmm.
    - healingmuse
      
      @Erin F. @joey_strawn
      I believe in the book ‘life of pi’ there was a saber tooth tiger & I’m pretty sure the boy had chocolate on board… So it’s been done.
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @healingmuse@Erin Crap, so much for my next blog post.
    - http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.
      
      @joey_strawn Right? I was going to steal the sabertooth tigers and chocolate from you. Isn’t that what the best writers do? Steal?@healingmuse
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @Erin F.@healingmuse Pretty much exclusively. : )
    - justme5
      
      Loved this banter… thanks for my afternoon smile!
    - healingmuse
      
      @Erin F. @joey_strawn
      It isn’t stealing per se (can’t stand it when people use that phrase, but there it is), if you are using previous works as a jumping off point. Then it’s pure inspiration. Besides, set the scene in New York city or Los Angeles, throw in an asteroid and you’ve got yourself a rockin’ blog.
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @justme5 You’re very welcome!
    - http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.
      
      @healingmuse Have you ever seen Everything is a Remix? http://www.everythingisaremix.info/ @joey_strawn
    - healingmuse
      
      @Erin F.@joey_strawn just saw it. very interesting. I’m thinking we will need Neo from the Matrix, don’t you? Rescue us from the eye and work our way deep into the underworld.
    - http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.
      
      @healingmuse@joey_strawn I’m looking forward to seeing the final video in the series.
      
      Neo or an asteroid? Either one would work. Neo might be a more fun choice, but he’s about as talkative as an asteroid…
    - healingmuse
      
      @Erin F. @joey_strawn
      The rescuing hero is never much of a talker. I’ll stick with Neo. When the abysmal end comes in the world of public Internet, I will run into his arms and those who choose asteroid will be running for their lives in the opposite direction. Love conquers all, especially in written word. No?
    - http://live-your-love.com/ Brankica
      
      @Erin F.@joey_strawn come on you two… How hard can it be to connect teeth and chocolate in a post, LOL
    - healingmuse
      
      @Brankica@Erin F.@joey_strawn
      
      10 ways to make chocolate punctuation marks (with your teeth)
      
      Top 3 types of chocolate teeth
      
      Toothy chocolate facial expressions for successful first dates
      
      Friendly radioactive man: melts chocolate not teeth
    - http://live-your-love.com/ Brankica
      
      @healingmuse@Erin F.@joey_strawn but it is saber tooth tiger I was referring to with “teeth”. You have to try again!
    - http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.
      
      @Brankica@healingmuse@joey_strawn I’m still plotting. I’m sure I can devise something. I’ve managed to get polar bears into a post; sabertooth tigers and chocolate can’t be that hard…right?
    - http://live-your-love.com/ Brankica
      
      we can put them all together “How to win against a polar bear and saber tooth tiger in a fight over a chocolate” LOL
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      I love it!
    - http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin F.
      
      @joey_strawn@Brankica@healingmuse I feel as though we should start a collaborative project at some point.
    - healingmuse
      
      @Erin F. @joey_strawn @Brankica
    - healingmuse
      
      @Erin @joey_strawn @Brankica
      I can the resident chocolate expert. I can also do botanicals & if I dig out my second year mammalogy textbook, I can accurately define the polar bear & saber tooth tiger jaws. You guys have to do rest.
- http://dr1665.com/ Brian Driggs
  
  @danaCreative Whether the snark above is all in fun or not, Mr. Strawn, sir, you just got broke off. And it was highly amusing.
  
  (Not that I don’t share your frustration with said grammatical shortcomings.)
  - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
    
    @Brian Driggs “Broke off”? – maybe, although I make no secret about my own shortcomings and wrote the post exactly how I wanted it, tenses, titles and all.
    - http://dr1665.com/ Brian Driggs
      
      @joey_strawn Sorry. “Broke off” is a throwback to my being a forum junkie. A more mainstream way of saying it might be, “You got served?”
      
      For the record, I think you were spot-on. I found this to be another of your high quality posts, sir. The double (space) tap, it/it’s, there/their/they’re, your/you’re? I hate seeing those. Damned frustrating to see people – particularly above by own pay grade – who demonstrate a complete lack of 8th grade grammar abilities.
      
      (Though I do enjoy using “irregardless” from time to time, mainly as a subtle way to suggest the diminished importance of the subject at hand.)
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @Brian Driggs I looked up the phrase on Urban Dictionary and was thoroughly confused as I didn’t appear to be sexually grinding on any ladies in a club in the post. I’m glad we got that cleared up. : )
MarkWalker

Let’s all stop using two words forever: “of course”. If something is a matter of course, why are you telling me again? Think about it…

And has anyone else noticed all the BAD WRITING on TV lately? How many times do I have to hear the “I or ME” question answered incorrectly? It is simple people: say the sentence without the other person in it and see how it sounds- would you say “bring lunch for Tim and I” if you would not say “bring lunch for I”? Try it out and you will absolutely know how to use these pronouns in the future!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @MarkWalker I’ve noticed that on TV shows as well lately. I thought I was going crazy.
Dakotapam

I really hate

stream of consciousness blogging

where someone who is NOT Anne Voscamp

tries to pretend that she is.

it makes my eyes bleed.

I tend to ignore it.

Imagine this comment double spaced and centered.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @Dakotapam Nice.
IntimateRainbow

@PegFitzpatrick @BonsaiCA Thank-You! Two Spaces between sentences had been on my list of Things-To-Look-Into. I’ll take your word for it.
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fentonslee

My pet peeve is when writers use periods instead of question marks in posts about grammar. “What are your biggest pet peeves when it comes to blogs and writing. “
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @fentonslee I’m not sure to what you’re referring.
  - fentonslee
    
    I’m glad to see you fixed it, but you’ve also got a period on the wrong side of an end quotation mark. This is why blogging about grammar is such a problematic hobby.
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @fentonslee Are you talking about the example in the Effect vs. Affect one?
    - Sue_Mitchell
      
      Wow! The Grammar Nazi and the Punctuation Nazi in one room!
      
      I’m on board with both of you. One of the many hats I wear is proofreader, so errors like these leap off the page at me and distract me from the person’s message. I do also believe in the evolution of language, but you’re right that these specific errors are not about that.
      
      This is one of the pitfalls of self-publishing blogs, ebooks, etc. Many people don’t have the necessary skills to forgo a proofreader or editor, and it makes them look very unprofessional.
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @Sue_Mitchell Totally agree, Sue. Thanks for your comment!
Leon

G’Day Joey,

Loved the post. Reminds me of some advice I was given when I first started in business: “If you can’t sell. you can’t consult.”

But if you’ll forgive me for some pedantry, danaCreative and I clearly went to different schools. I was taught that the words ‘active’ and ‘passive’ referred to ‘voice’ not ‘tense.’ Probably some Aussie educational peculiarity: we talk funny too.

Look forward to the post on punctuation…….! All good, clean fun.

Regards

Leon
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @Leon I was taught about active and passive “voices” too. I guess we’re just weird and wrong. ; )
audreyhale

I have an advertising degree, and my biggest pet peeve is when people use the word “mediums” when referring to more than one communication medium. The correct word is media for more than one medium.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @audreyhale It’s so funny you mention that. I ALMOST put that on the list. You spoke to me heart with that comment.
- MarkWalker
  
  @audreyhale oh, so true! Same with “myriad”…
econwriter5

@livefyre @BlogTipsOnline @joey_strawn 1980s VCR made me think of the line from BeetleJuice: “This reads like stereo instructions.”
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CaliforniaSales

SayHelloSales.com Agrees with the post
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @CaliforniaSales Thanks!
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http://live-your-love.com/ Brankica

OMG, I laughed so hard at the Frank and Danny example I make some of these probably, but I am not a native English speaker so I always let some of it slide, lol. On the serious side, I am subscribed to a really good grammar newsletter and I try to learn as much as possible not to make mistakes like those. Thanks for such a cool post and even cooler reference to Frank and Danny, I will never get that picture out of my head
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @Brankica Haha, glad you liked that. : )
MarkWalker

WOW- I can see there is not a lot of work right now for writers. Hang in there!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @MarkWalker There’s always a lot fo work for writers, Mark. : )
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salvatier

@2cre8 Thank you for the RTs, Kathy!
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jimduckett

On your last point:

http://www.jamesduckett.com/2011/07/weekly-lesson-hit-space-bar-once.html
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @jimduckett Nice!
Patriciann

Have to disagree with the *period* comment. I spent 17 years as a documentation specialist in pharma, preparing COAs, legal briefs for clinical trials, OSHA reports, et al. Missing the two spaces after a period will get the entire 10 lb. 500+ page document thrown back on your desk for a rewrite.

I’m just saying…
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @Patriciann Let me ask, are we talking about documents or blogs? I was talking about blogs.
  - Patriciann
    
    OK, my faux pas, I took this as an article on New Age writing in general. Didn’t know that there were different acceptable styles for blogging and documents. Now I need to explore this further, perchance I’m wasting too many keystrokes.
    
    I’ve only been blogging for 3 years but honestly didn’t know the “rules” were different. It’s just habit for me.
    
    BTW, your article was mentioned in one of my LinkedIn groups which is how I found it. Always trying to keep ahead, enjoyed both the article and the ensuing dialogue.
    
    Patriciann
    
    designer/owner
    
    http://globaldesigngypsy.blogspot.com
    - http://dannybrown.me/ DannyBrown
      
      @Patriciann I think that’s the great thing about blogging, Patriciann. We can make it as “serious” or as “loose” as we see it to be. I know I’m often lax at being spot on for grammar; but then, I often get antsy when I see really bad grammar too, so go figure!
      
      I think what works for you and your readers is generally the way to go, and if you (as in generic) prefer a more structured form, that works just as well as the less rigid copy.
      
      Hope you’re enjoying your blogging!
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @Patriciann I’m glad to hear that this showed up in a LInkedIn Group. I find some of my favorite articles via the groups I’m a member of. I appreciate you commenting further and I’m not so much saying there are specific “rules” that must be followed at all costs, but the double-space has been relatively done away with in the last few years, The article I link to in the post is a FANTASTIC write-up about it and there are many others out there.
      
      It’s not to say that your writing is wrong if you use two spaces after a period, I was merely referring to the fact that most word processors now recognize a period and add a minute space automatically, making the extra keystroke unnecessary. As Danny just stated, it’s really up to you on a lot of these issues, these were just some that always stick out for me and when I consistently see double-spaces after periods in blog posts, I usually get distracted and wonder why they’re used when the standards have adjusted in recent years.
      
      Thanks for the ongoing conversation!
    - ender
      
      @joey_strawn@Patriciann
      
      Double spacing allows you to computer-parse your content. Not every period is an end of a sentence. But a period followed by two spaces can be.
- Aaron S
  
  @Patriciann They (The Chicago Manual of Style) have changed “the double space after a period” rule. This is why it is important to hire professional writers and editors instead of someone who thinks they can write.
briheller

My pet peeve (from a high school English teacher): Quote is a verb. Quotation is a noun. It is incorrect to say that this is a famous quote.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @briheller Thank you for adding this one. I bet this rule has snuck by SO many people and they don’t even realize it.
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pdavidy8

Ummm if you think “utilize” is a ten dollar word then it my be you and not the blogger that has the problem…
pdavidy8

Ummm if you think “utilize” is a ten dollar word then it may be you and not the blogger that has the problem…
- http://dannybrown.me/ DannyBrown
  
  @pdavidy8 I don’t know – I think I see what @joey_strawn is on about here, and I’m with him. Do we really need to say “utilize it well”, or can we just say “use”? Sometimes I get the feeling bloggers are trying just a little too hard, and while “utilize” isn’t the worst example, I’d say it’s definitely one of them.
  
  Then again, that’s the beauty of differing views – no-one needs to be wrong.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @pdavidy8 I defer my response to Danny’s response.
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http://www.whosimrtennpup.com Jack

Funky article. Agreed! Unless people are writers or writing in a professional context, it doesn’t bother me too much… APART FROM “your” instead of “you’re”. For some reason, I know not whyyy, I just can’t *stand* it! I’m quite a chilled person but even so, seeing “your going out tonight Graham” sometimes makes me feel like I want to hit something (though it’s possible I’m just jealous that Graham’s going out). I’ve been guilty of using “less” instead of “fewer” during informal (textual) conversation! Trying to curb that, though – especially as last time I did, I was gently corrected. The shame! Oh, also I wanted to mention that, in my experience, some people naturally and flowingly use longer, more fiddly words and that’s fine by me! When it works, it’s pleasing. But yeah, it’s usually quite obvious and jarring when people have shoved overly frilly words in for no reason, just to try and sound snazzier than they really are.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com Joey Strawn
  
  Thanks for your comment!
  - http://www.whosimrtennpup.com Jack
    
    I can’t believe I forgot to share it! Lost in me own waffle… *SHARES*
http://bellavidabyletty.blogspot.com/ BellaVidaLetty

Your black sense of humor made this a very entertaining read.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com Joey Strawn
  
  Thanks!
GeeklessTech

Can we get a to too lesson on the next post…:)
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @GeeklessTech Sure thing!
JanWillis

My pet peeve is when people go to ridiculous lengths to avoid putting a preposition at the end of a sentence (e.g.” I’m not sure to what you’re referring” which in plain English would be “I’m not sure what you’re referring to”. Winston Churchill once peevishly scrawled on a document prepared by an overly pedantic civil servant “This is the kind of grammar up with which I will not put”. My sentiments exactly! I’m all for observing the rules of grammar but there are limits.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @JanWillis Jan, I was actually having this exact same discussion with someone just the other day. I’m totally with you. I’m all about writing in accordance with grammatical compliance, but that rule is tough to abide by sometimes. What’s even more interesting is that it’s not truly even a grammar rule, if you look back through it’s history it got accepted ipso facto when some rules were being written and only holds explicit truth in Latin writing. So, when a sentence calls for it, it’s totally cool to end in a preposition and no one but Latin scholars should even bat an eye. : )
Leon

G’Day Joey,
I’ve long believed that the purpose of communication is meaning. Words are the vehicle we use to convey meaning. Grammar, syntax and all the rest of it are the lubricants that oil the wheels. If that makes me a pedant, at least my readers will understand what I’m pedantic about.

And i can still be a smartass and say things like “marketing isn’t everything but everything is marketing.”

By the way, punctuation marks go inside inverted commas.

Your favourite Aussie curmudgeon

Leon
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @Leon Hey Leon, I enjoyed your comment, as usual. I agree that grammar rules have some leiway and should be mainly used at lubricants, that’s why I didn’t just rewrite Strunk & White in my post, because some are more steadfast that others, in my opinion. The ones I included above are the ones that cause me to mainly stop and possibly discount the credibility of the writer a little bit whether I want to or not.
  
  Also, punctuation and quotation rules vary dependent on the logical meaning of the phrase and its placement in the sentence. As quoted from http://www.grammarbook.com:
  
  <The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quotation marks. Examples: She asked, “Will you still be my friend?” Do you agree with the saying, “All’s fair in love and war”?>
  
  Although, this is one rule that tends to change depending on the country you’re writing in, which also makes rules like this one and the preposition rules frustrating for a lot of writers.
PierrePete

#1, ok. #2. News for you: Utilize, IS in the dictionary. It has its place. True, it is rarely used, but depending on the blog, the post, to topic, etc. It may be perfectly valid. #3. Well, irregardless is bad. Sadly becoming part of the language. Why? We let people “who knew how to write” use it in dialogue, and other people who had no know-how copycatted. Now, wealthy/famous people use it. Sad. #4. Yup! #5. Yup Should have given examples of both uses. #6. It’s is my bugaboo too! Here is an idea: For only 3 letters, and simplicity, I say drop the dammed apostrophe all the time, and save time and space. And I think we will all still understand what is being written. Can you see the apostrophe when people speak? Sad, but Tweet fans will love me! #7. The 2 spaces: I must disagree… This is a problem created by Mirthcosoft Outlook. They took out the space automatically in the early days of email, to save bits & bytes. I was raised in a civilized time, when we were taught to use 2 spaces. Obviously, you have never met a Dyslexic person, or a person with low visual acuity, a senior, or anyone else with bad eye sight. That little extra space… is very useful to many of us. Perhaps we should all get off the net, drop out of society, and swallow our rat poison. Would a good whipping for us all… be sufficient to please your holiness? Forgive my sarcasm, but I have some small experience, here. If one or two spaces is your pet peeve, then you really need to get some real problems in life. You have too few major ones. And calling someone a “doody-head”, even in humor, and then worrying about 1 or 2 spaces, well, that just seems pushy. Some people may find doody-head childish, others will find it offensive! (It is a cultural thing.)At any rate, a well written article. I had to offer my explanations or differences of opinion. Please excuse my 2 cents. If I missed a second space somewhere, kindly add it for me. These comments are not the type of thing I spend hours proofreading!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @PierrePete Hey there, I’m glad to see we’re in agreement on a lot of these, but I’ll do my best to address the ones you seem to have an issue with.
  
  I’m very aware that “utilize” is in the dictionary and is a real word. My issue with it wasn’t that it was fake, but rather unnecessary in almost 100% of the case when blogging. Considering the word means “use” and gets across the same point, and “utilize” is distracting, common practice deems it should be left out.
  
  If wealthy/famous people like the Kardashians start using “Bumberfart” instead of “drive,” rest assured I’m not going to be okay with that either. LOL. “Irregardless” isn’t a word, end of story.
  
  Let me start off by saying I have plenty of “real” problems in life and you worrying about people being offended at the word “doody-head” seems like a pretty minor one to me and everyone I’ve ever come in contact with above the age of 4.
  As for the two space rule, I appreciate you so emphatically sharing your opinion on the matter, but the sad fact is that your “civilized time” came centuries after the advent of writing, so your two spaces rule is actually a modern one when it comes to the art of writing. It is not correct and took hold because typewriters had an impossible task of not creating blocks of text that people could easily read because typewriters used monospaced type, meaning that every character takes up the same amount of room on a page (so, an “I” would look the same as an “H,” and so on.) Modern typography has solved the problem by automatically adding a small space after every period. So when you add ANOTHER space after that, you’re actually adding 2.35 spaces after every sentence and I’ve never actually heard of the 2.35 space rule. Forgive me if your civilized time was better with fractions and percentages than my barbaric Pope-ish reign.
  
  If you still have problems believing me, please do a bit of research and read some generic books on typography like ”The Complete Manual of Typography” (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321127307?ie=UTF8&tag=slatmaga-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0321127307)
  
  You also might be surprised to find that the MLA, AP and Chicago Style writing guides also say two spaces after a period is unnecessary and faulty. Check out the official Chicago Style response to this very question here: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/CMS_FAQ/OneSpaceorTwo/OneSpaceorTwo03.html
  
  Or perhaps you’d like more blogs on the topic:
  
  - http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/spaces-period-end-of-sentence.aspx
  - http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/typespacing/a/onetwospaces.htm
  - http://webdesign.about.com/u/ua/webdesignbasics/two-spaces-or-one-after-period.htm
  - http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2011/01/if-you-type-two-spaces-after-a-period-youre-doing-it-wrong.html
  - http://www.minddump.org/never-ever-use-two-spaces-after-a-period
  - http://blog.robdyoung.com/2012/04/should-you-use-one-or-two-spaces-after.html
  
  As for the issue with people not being able to read the words due to visual acuity, here’s a tip to spread around the community: “Command” plus the “+” key makes everything bigger and easier to read.
  
  Again, I have plenty of real problems I deal with every, single day, but I also am a writing teacher and blogging blogger, so it is my responsibility to research and present the most accepted and updated rules to writing to make sure that the people reading my blogs come away better writers.
  
  Whew. Okay, that was a long response, so I’ll let you get back to what you were doing and I’ll go back to prescribing rat poison to the elderly and throwing people in the stocks for dangling modifiers.
  - http://dannybrown.me/ DannyBrown
    
    @joey_strawn Where does “all of the sudden” fit into this?
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @DannyBrown That goes on a list of things I let slide but give a snide sideways look at it.
  - http://www.writerightwords.com/ Erin F.
    
    @joey_strawn Curiosity may kill the cat, but…how did you respond to the news about “hopefully” and “I hope”?
    - http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
      
      @Erin F. I let that one slip by. : )
  - PierrePete
    
    @joey_strawn Oh, I know about Utilize. I guess you were warning the people who might not know about it, or have a use for it. Some do, some don’t. Now, if only they knew who they all were!!!!!
    
    Oh, you and I agree over irregardless. But I know how the world works today, some powerful twit will start a meme… and Zappo! Instant new word. Just add LOL cats. Look at Truthify. Look at Unfriend. Look at…. Trust me, some… nut… will give us irregardless…. Look, my friend, do you think I want that abomination?
    
    I was stunned to find a person almost deathly harmed from an innocent word like doody-head, a while back. But when I read the story and reasons, and the small select group of people so hurt, I decided to be a tiny bit more reasonable in my giving of wide berths to such language, I’ll not bore you with a story I only half recall but it had to do with an orphanage, a bullying adult, and young kids who were abused. And it happened over a number of years. True it was decades ago, but these adults have apparently never recovered from the horror…
    
    Your explanation of the 2 space vs one space thing is excellent. I was aware of some, but not all the things you gave reference to. But, my point remains. It is a matter of preference. I am sorry, but for my old eyes, and for those of many people I know, 2.35 spaces is not quite enough space. And we have the issue of different fonts (eg: Ariel vs Times New Roman), and different Point Sizes (eg: 12 vs 14), and different programs and O/S’s (eg: Word vs Excel, Apple Vs Windows), and lastly not not least different websites. They all seem to handle the sizing and the clarity issues slightly differently. But even a machine cannot fight 2 spaces. If you only know how many people struggle to read at just a bare minimum, and how this 1 space thing messes many of them up…. You would show some mercy, and type in the dammed free extra space. Or is electronic ink, giving a mere blank, that expensive?
    
    As for style manuals, you will find me eclectic and unconventional. I take what I like, and use it. I remix. I “Steal like Austin Kleon”. Style manuals were written to achieve a consistent look. Not to help real people. And, if it is MY BLOG, or MY POST, then I will do as I bloody well please. If the politically correct police wish to guillotine me, then they can have their SOPA, and PIPA, and CISCA, too. I at least, will have gone to my grave…. striking a blow for freedom.
    
    And many websites, do NOT allow you to re-size font sizes to make them bigger. And if you are physically as well as visually handicapped, it adds a nice level of complexity and frustration to all you do. But then for us, there does remain the rat poison. I like mine, with a touch of red wine. It does thin the blood. Now if only I could do something about my high cholesterol and high blood sugar. I take the drugs yes, expensive drugs. And the side effects! Such a treat! Where the HELLA is Dr.McCoy when you need him?
    
    I understand you want to follow the Teachery Rules and Practices. Go ahead. I may not agree with all you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Bear in mind that many years ago, a teacher I liked liked 2 spaces also. Yet another reason why I still follow this rule: To please a mentor long since dead. What is the expression? In Memoriam Memorentis? It has been years since I studied that.
    
    That being said, I will say that in general, you are doing a fine job of helping people become better writers. I’ll give you an A- I will not grade higher, because I want to give you something to strive for! And your wife says “….Compliments “Do Swell his Head and Ego, so Exceedingly! Forsooth!” Geez! What if this caused her to faint? Forbid I should cause a lady to faint.
    
    As for throwing people in the stocks for dangling modifiers, yes, they are misused. But some very famous and gifted writers have, I think misused them on a purpose. You lucky devil. You might get to meet Steinbeck, Churchill, or some others. Say “Hello!” for me!
    
    Carry on, my good man. Do not stop!! Have a good day, and take care.
MikeTea

@Joey Strawn Thanks for a great post. My wife is always teasing me about confusing your and you’re and I am trying my best to remember the difference. My pet peeve is the use of “bunch” as a universal collective noun, as in a bunch of people (with crowd/group/mob/line/gathering etc to choose from who would write bunch?) bunch of cows (c;mon!) and the best/worse one I come across is a bunch of dirt, as in “look at the bunch of dirt they dug from that garden.” Dirt stands in piles, mounds, heaps, hills and mountains etc) Of course, my old horticultural teacher would drum into us that the basic constituent of a garden is not dirt at all but soil. That was his pet peeve and I will always remember it.
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @MikeTea Haha, I had never really thought of that, but I’m sure it will bother me now too. : )
celnovenario

A very disturbing trend I’ve seen lately is people writing “should of” instead of “should’ve.” Their keyboards must be confiscated immediately!
- http://www.joeystrawn.com joey_strawn
  
  @celnovenario Wow, I haven’t seen that as much, but I’m sure I’ll notice it now. If they’re going to elongate the phrase, they may as well do it correctly.
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