Words
I was taught that improper grammar is the easiest way to show your lack of culture. So now, improper use of words disturbs me. That's not to say I don't get lazy and do it myself from time to time, but some people are habitual grammar abusers and they are ignorant to their abuse. Some things that really disturb me:
"I could care less." The proper way to say this is "I couldn't care less. I don't know when it started to be "could," but it really disturbs me. If you could care less, that means you care otherwise how could you care less?
The use of the word "whenever" when the word "when" would suffice. This seems to be mostly a southern thing but I do hear it here at times as well.
"Native American" when referring to American Indians. A Native American is anyone born in America. I am a Native American.
"African American." Not all blacks are from Africa. Not all Africans are black. Most of the blacks in America have never been to Africa, let alone are they from Africa. They are simply American. They are black Americans. Or perhaps they are citizens of Africa, therefore they are Africans. But then they could be black or white.
Irregardless. Regardless means without regard. Ir is a prefix which means not. So irregardless means "not without regard." In other words, it means "with regard," instead of the way people mean it which is "without regard." Either way, it's improper.
I'm sure I'll think of more. What things disturb you?
"I could care less." The proper way to say this is "I couldn't care less. I don't know when it started to be "could," but it really disturbs me. If you could care less, that means you care otherwise how could you care less?
The use of the word "whenever" when the word "when" would suffice. This seems to be mostly a southern thing but I do hear it here at times as well.
"Native American" when referring to American Indians. A Native American is anyone born in America. I am a Native American.
"African American." Not all blacks are from Africa. Not all Africans are black. Most of the blacks in America have never been to Africa, let alone are they from Africa. They are simply American. They are black Americans. Or perhaps they are citizens of Africa, therefore they are Africans. But then they could be black or white.
Irregardless. Regardless means without regard. Ir is a prefix which means not. So irregardless means "not without regard." In other words, it means "with regard," instead of the way people mean it which is "without regard." Either way, it's improper.
I'm sure I'll think of more. What things disturb you?