Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Singular vs. Plural

Although slang is popular, in addition to sounding dreadful it doesn't read well.  Because this clip refers to two people, "was" shouldn't have been used.
New York Knicks baller Amar’e Stoudemire and Amber Rose was spotted together at Lebron James “One of A Kind” event last night at 1Oak. [source]


Replace "was" with "were."

Here is a rule of thumb to follow:
When speaking of more than one person use "were." (plural)
When speaking of one person use "was." (singular)

Friday, December 17, 2010

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Present Or Absent


Jillian Michaels may be taking a leave of absence, but it looks as if the author of this piece wasn't present when they wrote this.


The 36-year-old Michaels announced that she’s taking an indefinite leave of absense from the hit weight-loss reality show to start a family. [source]

 The correct spelling is absence.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Pointing Out Others Peculiarities

Gibson's character is depicted brooding his way through some kind of existential funk that seriously strains the emotional health of his family. Things only worsen when he happens upon a ratty plush toy in the garbage and gives it a voice. Soon his idiosyncracy becomes his only way of expressing himself to loved ones. Given how much we've all heard the Oscar-winning 'Braveheart' star expressing himself regarding family matters, it's a bizarre string of scene snippets, to say the least.  [source]


The correct spelling is idiosyncrasy.
I wonder if misspelling words is one the author's idiosyncrasies.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Keeping Them Honest



Surely Anderson Cooper wouldn't approve. If you watch Anderson Cooper 360 you will understand.


Cooper told The Insider that when he hung out with the Grammy-winning provacateur in England to shoot their Q&A, she had her own ideas about how to make the interview more relaxing. [source]


The correct spelling is provocateur.