Writing Pet Peeves: "Would of, Could of, Should of"

"Would of, Could of, Should of"

This latest offense was seen, not for the first time, on facebook. 

I suppose I should've been happy that the offender chose to express himself, but if one is going to use poor grammar, then one should not write at all for public consumption.  Ah, vanity. 

The problem with contractions is they're spoken more than they're written.  I have an aversion to using many contractions when I write because I had it drummed into me in English Composition class that words shouldn't be contracted in writing unless used in dialog.  This makes it more difficult to learn from reading in context, as many writers shunned the use of contractions in formal writing.  That was back in the day.

Just ask the members of my writers' group.  I dislike contractions in their writing too. 

I see more contractions in the prose of contemporary works. 

However, I suspect that the sum total of the offending writer's reading experience is found in pop culture.  People are beginning to write the way they speak.  Twitter and texting are  wreaking havoc (!) with spelling and grammar.

I learned about contractions when I was in what used to be called "grammar school"  I know I'm dating myself, but again I ask, what are they teaching in English class these days?

Karen's unofficial grammar class for today, for those who care:

Contractions really are for speaking.  They're there to make two words easier to pronounce when used together.

Would have  = would've
Could have = could've
Should have = should've

I suppose I should've taken it in stride.  I could've overlooked it.  But that would've gone against my grain. 

Those last three sentences go against my grain too.  In fact, it almost killed me to write this piece.  **sigh**

Write That!!

Mitchell and Webb are two of the best British comics ever.  They have done one of the funniest skits I have seen on YouTube.  It speaks to the frustration of writers trying to please editors, publishers and agents. I watch this every now and then to maintain perspective and a sense of humor. Write That!!  For all of my writer friends who could use a good laugh.  Enjoy!

Writing Pet Peeves: " To Wreck Havoc"

I get frosted when I see people use the wrong word or words to convey their message. This morning, in my reading, I came across one that has become common, and it drives me nuts:
"To wreck havoc." I wanted to reach through my computer to give the latest offender a good smack across the writing hand just to get her attention.

Now that I have your attention, dear reader, (all two of you), lest you make the same mistake, the correct term is "to wreak havoc".

To wreck: destroy, disrupt or ruin

To wreak: to inflict, visit upon

I suppose it is understandable since the word "havoc" means general destruction and devastation to want to use the word "wreck" as the active verb. But then that makes the sentence redundant: "to destroy general destruction", and is akin to a double negative.

The correct usage, "to wreak havoc" : to visit general destruction upon, is what people who wreck havoc really mean.

I hope I don't catch anyone I know wrecking havoc or I'll have to wreak some well intact havoc upon them! ;-)

Allow Me To Introduce Myself...

I have finally succumbed to the pressure. I have been a regular poster on World Magazine's Blog, participating in the contact sport they call blogging; however lately I have been absent from my friends at World.

I have a lot to say about a lot of things, mostly politics, religion and writing. Like most people, I have an opinion and I don't mind sharing it.

I tend to be conservative, however I have become disillusioned with the GOP and I am more likely to identify myself as an Independent these days. I'm for the Constitution the way the founding fathers intended it. I am against usurpation of power by Congress or the Executive branches of government, and I am against legislation from the bench from the Judicial branch. I am for smaller government and a balanced budget. I have to balance my household budget; so should my government. I identify with much of what the Tea Party Movement is about, and I believe that I am Taxed Enough Already by an ever-expanding government. I have been to Tea Party events, so I guess that makes me a "Right Wing Extremist" or whatever new phrase is being bandied about in an attempt to marginalize and vilify people who participate in Tea Parties. Whether you agree with my politics or not, I hope you will hear me out and honestly discuss the political topics without vitriol and rancor. I will endeavor to do the same.

I am a Christian and I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My Christian faith informs my worldview, and that includes my politics. That must make my right wing extremism worse, but I'm learning to live with it. Christian faith is the bedrock upon which our nation was founded, and God was once welcome in the public square. Not all of what I write will mix religion and politics, but at least once a week, I will write something more devotional in nature, designed for introspection. It may be some thoughts on a topic, or it may be an exposition of a verse of Scripture with an application to today. I hope you will take the time to read and ponder with me, and maybe discuss with me the finer points of Holy Writ.

On writing, I will discuss frustrations and concerns of writers, both secular and religious. I hope to offer bits of whimsy and have the occasional guest writer blog in this space. To my writer friends, I hope you will share your creativity and inspiration and tips, tricks and tools of the trade. Share with me your writing experiences and your current projects. I will discuss trends in publishing and hopefully some success stories among my writer friends.

Here we go - I hope you will join me and have fun along the way.