I should start this with my usual disclaimer: language that conveys meaning effectively is doing its job! Most of the grammar issues I highlight here don’t render sentences incomprehensible and won’t hinder communication. People will know what you mean. The world continues to turn.
These blogs are for my own nerdy interest, and possibly for anyone who is interested in writing (or speaking) to prescribed grammar rules when the occasion calls for it.
These four examples are interesting because they are not your usual misspellings or homophone mix-ups. They are mistakes which, if taken at face value, can change the meaning of the sentence entirely. In some cases, they technically mean the exact opposite of what the writer or speaker intended.
“Miss not”
Using this double negative structure actually negates the intended meaning of the sentence. While there are many common double negatives that are readily recognised (“I’m not never eating that”, for example), this one can be sneaky.
Have you ever heard anyone say “I miss not having long hair” or “I miss not being able to see people during this lockdown”? I have come across this structure many, many times in recent years. What they usually mean to say, of course, is that they miss having long hair or being able to see people.
“I could care less”
You have most likely come across this one yourself. If you could care less about something, then you do care a little bit. And most people using this phrase—which is supposed to read “I couldn’t care less”—are intending to get across that they do not care at all about the issue at hand. A small difference which entirely changes the meaning of the saying!
“The worse thing”
It has become common for people to use the word “worse” in place of “worst”. “Worse” is comparative, to be used when comparing something to something else: “the weather is worse than it was yesterday.” “Worst” is a superlative, positioning something as being as bad as it can get. No comparison needed, it’s worse than everything else. The worst.
Have you heard “worse case scenario” and similar phrases sneaking into the common vocabulary?
“Apart of things”
Being “a part” and being “apart” have two very different meanings—I know it doesn’t seem fair! Being a part of something means to be included and to participate in it. You might be a part of a team, a part of a movement, or a part of the club.
If you’re “apart”, you’re separated from something. You might be “apart” from your family. Your two parents might live a thousand miles apart.
Have you noticed these becoming common? Like fashion trends, quirks such as these ones tend to catch on and gain traction amongst groups of people, particularly in our highly-connected digital world. I’d love to hear about any that you have come across!