Comments on: 10 Surprising Phrases You Might Be Getting Wrong

By: Klenita

Klenita — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 06:38:05 +0000

Lately, the phrase I’ve felt most jarring is “try an do it”, when what is meant is “try to do it”. However; I can hear my father saying, “Try, and do it”. His meaning would have been, “Don’t be satisfied with trying, because I expect the task to be accomplished.”

By: Gita Amanda

Gita Amanda — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 15:35:05 +0000

This post is so helpful! English is my second language, so everytime I write a new post — especially when I try to use English phrases — I google them and make sure that they are correct! It does make writing new post takes up a lot my time. Kind of embarrassing, really. But you know, better safe than sorry!

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 22:38:03 +0000

In reply to cc. Sorry, but it most definitely is "another think" and not "another thing". Otherwise it just wouldn't make sense would it? My father used the phrase a lot, e.g. "if you think I'm going to let you go out dressed like that, you've got another think coming!" The phrase is always used in that type of context. Another example, "If he thinks he's going to win our votes with those policies then he's got another think coming!" You see the context? If "think" is replaced with "thing" then the two phrases above wouldn't make any sense.

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 22:24:58 +0000

In reply to Rachel. I was so surprised to learn that some people get "another think coming" wrong. I have never heard anyone say "thing" instead of "think" in that context. Why would anyone say that? The phrase doesn't make any sense if you substitute "thing" for "think." As for "to all intensive purposes", is that one a wind up?! I don't believe anyone would say that in real life. I have, however, heard people say "I could care less" when they meant that they couldn't care less. It was a commonplace error in the USA when I was there about 20 years ago.

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 03:16:09 +0000

I see many “should of” and “could of” phrases being used when the “of” should be have. I think they think it’s “of” because that apostrophe v-e is sounded out as if it’s an “of”.

It’s still really annoying, however.

There’s another, I just can’t think of it at the moment. 🙁

By: Nasreen

Nasreen — Sun, 26 May 2013 13:07:12 +0000

hahaha this is great! I NEVER knew about the “another think coming” I really thought it was thing. and “wreak” havoc too 😛

http://lazyobsession.blogspot.ie/2013/05/oasap-summer-giveaway.html

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:09:10 +0000

Thank you so much for this! All of these are major pet peeves of mine, but “sneak peak” has to be my all-time BIGGEST. You’re not sneaking a peek at a mountain top!

By: moiminnie

moiminnie — Sun, 05 May 2013 21:42:05 +0000

Not a native English speaker, but I definitely use “sneak peek”, “couldn’t care less” and “without further ado” a lot. I don’t want this to sound cocky but I don’t remember spelling these wrong. Also, a lot of people have complimented my grammar many times, which is a bit confusing for me haha. But I realized that usually non-English speakers pay much more attention to what they write and even check for spelling, then native speakers. Wonderful post!
xx,
minnie @ http://moiminnie.blogspot.com

By: Retro Chick

Retro Chick — Sun, 05 May 2013 14:43:25 +0000

Heals and heels drives me crazy. You’d think Fashion bloggers would know the difference!

By: Katrina

Katrina — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:46:01 +0000

“Could care less” seems to be used mainly by Americans- I often find myself shouting at books by American authors who write that. I mean, surely it’s obvious if you look at it logically?? However, although I know that it’s “another think coming”, it just doesn’t feel right, so I’m not sure I can ever see myself saying it properly! The same goes for “an historic event”, I know it’s right, and I’m fine with writing it like that, but when I’m talking, it feels like I’m talking like a child or something!