I am tired of people writing and saying:
- “reach out to” when they mean “contact” or “communicate with”
- “based off of” when they mean “based on”
- “alongside” when they mean “with”
- and “myself” instead of “me”
One more: interjecting the adverb “so” into everyday speech all too frequently. For example, “You are so going to regret posting this.”
I am also tired of hearing working groups referred to as the “gang of (insert number)”.
How about you? What words and phrases drive you crazy?
“Irregardless.” Ugh. Think about your prefixes, people!
Thanks for this one — you are so right…I hear and see this all the time. Snap out of it, people!
I changed something in a paper of mine after I read this. I’m terribly guilty of the “based off of” thing. Thanks, Mr. Potter! Nice you see you’re still able to correct my grammar when I’m not in one of your classes.
Hello Nicole. Always good to hear from you. I wonder where the “based off of…” comes from. Do you have any idea why it is used so frequently now, instead of “based on”, especially among Millennial Generation students?
I’m honestly not sure. I know that we use it a lot when we’re talking about movies based on books, but I doubt that’s actually where we got it from.
One of the things that bothers me is when people write “a couple something” when it should be “a couple OF something.”
In terms of corporatespeak, the ones I hate most are “utilize,” “leverage” and “implement,” all of which could/should be replaced with the perfectly respectable and useful “use.”
Corporatespeak is the worst.: “think out of the box” ; “Connect the dots” ;”at the end of the day” ; “Robust”, to name a few.
I have a friend who begins every email he writes with the word “so”. It’s almost painful for me to watch him type it. I’d much rather see “so” somewhere in the middle of a sentence than see it as the first word!
I also agree with “reach out to”. It’s used a lot where I work and if it isn’t “reach out to”, then it’s usually “ping” which I think is worse.
So, you are annoyed by that word, eh? Haha, you knew I would do that. I agree with you that using “so” to begin a sentence is a waste and a distraction. It sounds like a person is disorganized in his/her thoughts, using “so” to stall for time while he/she thinks of what needs to be said. And Alex, isn’t it funny how a word like “ping” has entered our language, probably for all time.
Thanks for reading and commenting on this. I always value your opinion.
Les
Hi Les! Something that drives me NUTS is how some people sign e-mails, specifically using “Best Regards” before ending with a name. You’re either sending your best, or you’re giving regards. Seeing both used makes me feel like I’m going to be sick. No offense, of course, to anyone here who uses this conjoined phrase! I just suggest otherwise BASED ON my personal preference 🙂
Haha, BASED ON your personal preference, is it? Kelsey, it annoys me, too, how some people sign messages/letters. I agree that “best regards” is a bit weak. That is like saying, “I find you so adequate.” Truthfully, the one that bothers me — and you see it all the time — is simply signing off with “Best”. Best what? I know it is quick and easy and harmless, but I guess I want more. So, my best to you, dear kelsey and Alex, based off my preferences. Ping me when you wish to reach out.
This is a little more random, but I find the most overused and irritating word to be “awesome”. It is such a cop-out. What does it mean, anyway? Why can’t people put a bit more thought and effort into describing what they really mean or think?
No, I will not make that cheap shot. I will discipline myself to not characterize your wise comment in that way. However, it was a pretty great comment.
Seriously, Melanie, you raise a great point. That is such a weak little word, dried up from overuse. I am glad you contributed it to this discussion. Thanks.
NOTE to readers: Please visit Melanie Simons at http://melaniesimons.com/ She does good work. Les
Reblogged this on Chocolate Pages and commented:
Say “like” …after every sentence when talking – drive me nuts.
Like, people sound like a “valley girl.” LOL
I am sooooo tired of hearing the superfluous “that” used ad nauseam. For example: “He’s the worst speller that I know”; “it’s the worst example that I’ve ever heard” etc. . . . You hear it on the news more and more and it’s soooo “bogus” when you really mean “wrong”.
Also, undoubtably – which isn’t a word -instead of undoubtedly. Maybe that’s a Southren thang because it is often heard in South Carolina where I live.
Is anyone else tired of hearing “thank you for SHARING” ? If I hear the word ‘sharing’ one more time . . .