A Word, Please: Ten common usages mistaken for mistakes
Some people just love to correct others’ grammar and usage. They know it rubs people the wrong way. But they justify it like this: “I’m doing the poor ignoramuses a favor. I’ll endure their resentment for their own good. I’m no hero, just your average, everyday martyr.”
The worst part is their advice is usually wrong. The very language points that are most nitpicked by grammar cops are almost all fictional. Here are 10 popular incorrect corrections.
1. Done. This one’s a favorite of misinformed moms and dads everywhere. Little Jimmy pushes his plate away after dinner and says, “I’m done.” The parent replies: “No. A roast is done. You’re finished.” Why? Because about 100 years ago, the authors of a book called “The Manual of Good English” took it upon themselves to ban Jimmy’s standard and correct use of “done,” even though it’s always been acceptable. Today, the American Heritage Dictionary lists among its definitions of “done” this synonym: “finished.”
2. Hopefully. Saying “Hopefully, the check will arrive tomorrow” can elicit a nasty response, but only from people who don’t understand adverbs. Those who think that adverbs only modify verbs think that “hopefully” means only “in a hopeful manner,” and checks can’t be hopeful. But adverbs also modify sentences, as do “certainly,” “previously,” “unfortunately,” “frankly” and many others.
3. Rob. In law and in journalism, there’s an important distinction between robbery, a direct confrontation, and burglary, which takes place on the sly. But outside of those professional realms, the words overlap. If someone sneaks into your house and steals something, you can say you were robbed.
4. For free. There’s a common belief that you can get something free but you can’t get it “for” free. “Because ‘free’ itself can function as an adverb in the sense ‘at no cost,’ some critics reject the phrase ‘for free,’” writes Garner’s Modern American Usage. But the “for” is not an error. “Sometimes the syntax all but demands it.”
5. Good. Contrary to popular belief, the word “good” can be a synonym of “well” when someone asks how you are. “I’m good” is synonymous with “I’m well,” according to many dictionaries, though it is considered informal.
6. Between. Myth has it that “between” is for relationships between just two things and if you want to talk about something involving three or more people, you need “among.” Not so. The American Heritage Dictionary says this idea is “widely repeated but unjustified.” Garner’s Modern American Usage and the Chicago Manual of Style agree. Even “The Elements of Style” allows it in some cases.
7. Slow. It’s true that instead of saying “Drive slow” you could always opt for the more proper “Drive slowly.” But the former is fine for two reasons. First, the dictionary defines “slow” as an adverb and synonym of “slowly.” Second, there exist things called flat adverbs, which are words not ending in “ly” that are used adverbially.
8. Like. The popular myth is that you can’t use “like” to mean “such as.” So “He enjoys activities like golf and tennis,” some say, should trade in its “like” for “such as.” But if they just looked up the word “like,” they’d see that’s not so.
9. Have got. When used in place of plain, old “have,” as in “I have got a lot of relatives,” this term seems like a waste of a word. It is less efficient. But it’s also an established idiom that at times lends better emphasis to your sentence.
10. Anxious. On this one, the sticklers have a point. But they take it too far. If you say, “I’m anxious to start my vacation,” meaning you’re looking forward to it, you’ve used a word with a negative connotation where a more positive word, “eager,” would better convey your meaning. But to say this missed opportunity is an error is itself an error.
JUNE CASAGRANDE is the author of “The Best Punctuation Book, Period.” She can be reached at [email protected].