Tom Williams

#MondayBlogs Grammar Errors You May Be Making Right Now and How to Stop. Please. | @BadRedheadMedia geni.us/GrammaticalErrors Twenty-five word crimes that make writers twitch... Okay, I admit it; I have grammar pet peeves. Come on, we all do. We may pretend we’re far too evolved to judge other people’s word choices, but then someone writes alot, and suddenly we’re pacing around the house muttering, “It’s two words. TWO, dammit.” Might just be me. So, with affection and a tiny speck of judgment, let’s discuss a few repeat offenders. 1. Alot No. It’s a lot. Two words. You wouldn’t write alittle, abunch, or awholemess. Please stop making a and lot live together before they’re ready. 2. For Free You received the book free. You downloaded the guide free. You attended the event free of charge. You can say you received it for free; that phrase is grammatically acceptable, widely used, and understood. I still don’t like it. My dad hates this phrase (former retail guy), and he’s 89, so we listen. Not every pet peeve is a rule. Sometimes a collection of perfectly innocent words irritates us by simply existing, kinda like your little brother. 3. People Who, Things That He is the author who wrote the book. This is the book that ruined my sleep last night. Who is preferred for people, while that is more commonly used for things. Using that for a person isn’t always grammatically wrong, but who usually sounds more natural. Your editor is a person who catches mistakes, not a helpful household appliance that lives inside your laptop, no matter how convenient. Editors need rest, too. Animals deserve flexibility. If Pip knocks a glass off the counter while staring directly into my soul, he is absolutely a who because I want to, ya know, live. Read more: geni.us/GrammaticalErrors Always free to read and subscribe.