Happy Christmas, everyone! If you’re reading a proofreading blog today, we’re guessing it’s because you’re avoiding a Christmas tradition: arguing with family members. And if so, why not steer the conversation towards the really important issues (i.e. spelling, grammar and punctuation)?
Here, for instance, are five suggestions for Christmas dinner arguments that pedants of all ages will enjoy. But no matter how much you care about grammar, try to keep it civil!
1. Commas: Oxford or Not?
No punctuation mark divides opinion as much as the Oxford comma. In case you haven’t heard of it before, this is a comma placed before the final item in a list of three or more things.
For some, it is an essential part of any list, and missing it out is a crime against punctuation. For others, it is simply a way of avoiding ambiguity over whether JFK and Stalin were strippers.
Do say: It never hurts to use an Oxford comma, and it can improve clarity.
Don’t say: Russia would have been better off if Stalin were a stripper!
2. Split Infinitives
The question of whether it is okay to split an infinitive – i.e. to use a modifying term between the word ‘to’ and a verb – is a classic bit of pedantry. In fact, Wikipedia has an entire section about its controversial history. Ultimately, most people now accept that it’s fine to split an infinitive for the sake of clarity. But it will still get traditionalists worked up!
Do say: Actually, no modern style guide takes issue with split infinitives.
Don’t say: I am on a mission to bravely fight against split infinitives.
3. Less vs. Fewer
Some people feel strongly enough about ‘less’ and ‘fewer’ that they forced Tesco to change its ‘10 items or less’ signs at checkouts. But is the difference really that strict? Will the world end if we use ‘less’ with countable nouns? Or is this another case of pedantry gone wrong?
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Do say: Alfred the Great used ‘less’ with a countable noun in AD 888.
Don’t say: Well, Alfred can’t have been that great at grammar then!
4. Americanisms: Yay or Nay?
The US of A has a big influence on modern English, so lots of British people use Americanisms these days. And while it might grate to hear people say ‘math’ instead of ‘maths’, is this really so bad? Surely we should at least admit that having one spelling of ‘practice’ is simpler than two?
Do say: Americanisms are just part of language evolving.
Don’t say: I’m going to Washington to re-enact the War of 1812.
5. Non-Literal Uses of ‘Literally’
If someone says ‘I am literally dying of laughter’ after hearing a joke, we can usually assume they don’t need an ambulance. Rather, they are using ‘literally’ figuratively as an intensifier. But this usage will always be tough to accept, given that ‘figuratively’ is literally the opposite of ‘literally’.
Do say: The figurative use of ‘literally’ is a bit ironic.
Don’t say: I am literally going to explode if you misuse that word again.
Happy Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!
That’s it for now! Hopefully, this post will give you plenty to keep the family distracted until after dinner when excess food and drink has left everyone dozy and placid. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas Day, and we’ll see you tomorrow for more writing and language tips.