43 Embarrassing Grammar Mistakes Even Smart People Make

[Michie]

Like it or not, words, spelling, and punctuation can leave a lasting impression on others. But even the most educated people often unknowingly make these common flubs.​

When someone uses grammar incorrectly do you make an assumption about his or her intelligence or education? Like it or not, words, spelling, and punctuation are powerful and can leave a lasting impression on others. But even the most educated people often unknowingly make common writing and speaking flubs. Check out this long list of ubiquitous grammar mistakes. Guarantee: You'll either learn something new or find a few of your biggest pet peeves here. (And likely, you'll find fault with my own use of the English language. I welcome your thoughts, critiques, and insults in the comments.)

1. First-come, first-serve​

It should actually be "served." Without the d, the phrase above suggests that the first individual who arrives will be the one who serves everyone, which is not the idiom's intent.

2. I could care less​

Continued below.

https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/43-embarrassing-phrases-even-smart-people-use.html

 

[Bob Crowley]

4. “I” as the last word in a sentence.​

This mistake is remarkably common, yet a correct example would be “Karlee talked with Brandon and me.” The trick to getting this one straight is to take the other person’s name out of the sentence and see if your personal pronoun choice still sounds right. “Karlee talked with I” is awkward and incorrect.

Years ago I was a postman doing rounds in an industrial area in part. One of the customers was a panel beater and he happened to repair a ding I was involved in.

His sister was the post office cleaner and she claimed he'd find money if he fell in the toilet. He just seemed to have the knack.

But I noticed that whenever he answered the phone he would say in a jocular voice "It is I!" which technically is the last word in the sentence.