Language Pet-Peeves
Language Pet-Peeves
Inspired by Sept. 2, 2012 OWW, I’m inviting everyone to share their experiences with misused language.
From my comments posted under the September 2nd puzzle:
~Just yesterday I researched why ‘disambiguous’ is NOT a word, while ‘disambiguate’ and ‘disambiguation’ are.
~Current non-word pet-peeve: co-workers who say they are “orientating”…. yes, they are on orientation, and are being oriented to their new jobs, but are not “orientating” !! Anyone else experience this type of word play?
~Most annoying misplaced modifier: ONLY
For example, when I read a newspaper article that reads: “The State only has six months to fix the problem” instead of: “The State has only six months to fix the problem” I want to ask, “So the State has time, but does it not also have other resources, such as personnel, funds budgeted, consultants, a plan, etc…?”
This page is fun: (I had no idea I was misusing many of the 10 words listed!)
http://listverse.com/2011/06/07/top-10-misused-english-words/