Just a word for those who confuse "then" for "than." They are not interchangable.
Before I retired, I worked for a university professor who received his Ph.D. from a renowned California university. He consistently made the same grammatical error. I do not attribute this mistake to ignorance but possibly to the way some hear the words.
"THAN" is a word used for comparison. "THEN" is a word related to time. Please, if you are going to author articles, find a good proofreader who is a stickler for grammar and spelling. Your opinions will be all the more appreciated.
My greatest accomplishments are my 43 years marriage to the same man and our three children. As a citizen of the world, I'm passionate about justice for all. My friends would describe me as a liberal though I believe I'm closer to the moderate range. I've never authored a book, but it's on my list of things to do now that I'm retired. I love spending time with my family, friends, and creative hobbies. Music tames my soul. Jazz (Brubeck) and country (Chesney) are my long time and current faves. I love learning new things and would rather make it than buy it! I'm an avid NPR listener because I believe that's where you find the most balanced news.
There may be many that post grammatically imperfect pieces for OpEdNews, but at least these people care about what's going on in the world enough to bother writing about it. I can forgive their errors, especially in the face of the enormous amount of apathy that most Americans exhibit.
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Cheryl Abraham (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 139 comments)
on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 2:05:42 PM
I too had a difficult time with distinguishing between affect and effect until one day -- I don't know what took me so long -- I noticed that affect is always a verb and effect is a noun most of the time.
I did hesitate before posting my article about grammatical errors because, I agree with you, at least people are taking a stand in this time of so much injustice. I really hope that we will continue to see these writers' articles and if there is a little improvement in the spelling or grammar, it will aid in understanding. I don't know if everyone feels like they mentally stump their toe when they run into an error, but it stops me in my "train of my thoughts" tracks!
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my article. I really do appreciate your opinion.
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Gene (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 3:36:56 PM
i am averse though not adverse to lust in later yearsit may exceed if both accede and have no "beauty" fearsi can accept if you except the glaring of bright lightit won't affect what we effect but please, don't stay the nighton passion's altar don't try to alter what drives your predelictionsans chance of birth one can give berth to either truth or fictioni will appraise though not apprise your valor at the taskwith my assent and your ascent we'll get just what we askas anecdote not antidote to lonely lover's hungerit can't be coarse just stay the course as if you weren't the youngerto first immerge and then emerge from dalliance eroticthough overdue don't over do it's hardly semiotici may be staid, but i'm glad you stayed my protest ineffectiveyou're tantemount to paramount and you've changed my perspectivetwas just a roll perhaps a role but it deserves attention respectfully respectively we've broadened love's dimension.b. d. cruickshank
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Babz Cruickshank (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments)
on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 5:12:59 PM
When I first registered at OpEd, in a 'paroxysm of solipsism' I created a pseudo-name whose humor was evident to me and me alone. I have since eliminated the fakir, er, sorry, faker... b.d.cruickshank is me and me alone. I did teach 3rd grade for one semester and wantoned with my English professor. Warm regards, Babz
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Babz Cruickshank (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments)
on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 4:04:31 PM
Babz, I know someone with your vocabulary would have tired quickly in the company of elementary school students. However, I'm sure you influenced some of them to spend a little more time with Webster.
And, what do you mean your wantoned with your English professor? I guess a good relationship with an English professor would certainly build and strengthen any student's vocabular. He would be so proud of you!
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Gene (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 8:33:42 PM
for one of the most informative and constructive pieces on this website. I've grown tiresome of the rest. The "this vs. than" issue is one I have never had but my english is far from what it should be. Have you, by chance, ever read "Mother Tongue" by Bill Bryson? I'm stuck in the middle of it, finding it to be more challenging than a Victorian Novel.
What about commas and the use of? Would love to hear that once more. I know I'm doing things wrong.
Capitolisation of Nouns is another bad habit I've picked up while learning German. Somehow, it nearly fits...in English.
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Tony Forest (4 articles, 14 quicklinks, 131 diaries, 1216 comments)
on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 11:58:15 AM
As for commas, use them to separate items; create a pause; separate compound sentences; after a phrase that starts a sentence. Of course, since the comma is the most used punctuation mark, it has myriad uses.
Good luck finishing "Mother Tongue." When I want dry, I eat Triscuits without water.
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Gene (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 9:41:25 PM
Best little book on the subject is Strunk & White's "Elements of Style". I wish contributors, esp those making comments, would do a little simple spell check before they submit their diatribes! Then there are always those who misconstrue simple homonyms - consistently. My latest pet peeve is use of the word "marshall" when the correct word is "martial." They are a world apart in meaning, and for me - when they are misused, the writer immediately loses all credibility for whatever point they were trying to make in the first place.
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Cinderfella (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 45 comments)
on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 12:50:48 AM
My cinnamints exactly! ;-} They do lose all credibility when the errors are so glaring.
Just kidding. I can spell sentiments, but I haven't seen this particular mistake. Perhaps they are thinking about the town marshall and his six shooter!
Any other favorite pet peeves out there?
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Gene (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 4:13:52 PM
