[Deorum]

I am a nit when it comes to grammar, but I usually do not say anything about it because it is generally not appreciated and just makes me look like an ass. However, since it is the topic of this thread, here are a few things that irritate me when I hear or read them. Some have been mentioned already but not explained (for the rare few who are reading this thread and are actually interested in improving their speech).

- For Christ's sake: The proper term is "for Christ's sake" not "for Christ sakes". The phrase "for Christ's sake" is posessive; it means for the sake of Christ. "For Christ sakes" is meaningless. Christ is not an adjective, and he only has one sake.

- Myself: Myself is a pronoun used as an intensive, as in "I did it myself" or as a reflexive, as in "I love myself". It can also be used to describe you as a state, as in "I was not myself last week". It cannot be used as a cute or intellectual replacement for "me" or "I", as in "Jessica went to the carnival with Greg, Joan, and myself".

- I could care less: The proper phrase is "I could not care less". To say "I could care less" means that you actually do care to some degree. Whenever somebody tells me, "I could care less" I always respond by asking, "How much less could you care?" Of course, they never get it.

- Affect/Effect: The common usage of the word "affect" is a verb. It means "to act on" or "to change". The common usage of the word "effect" is a noun. It means "result". Affect is also a noun, but it means "a feeling or emotion". Effect is also a verb, but it means "to bring about" or "to accomplish".

- Further/Farther: The difference between these two words is that something which is "farther" can be physically measured, while something that is "further" cannot. "I can hit a golf ball twenty yards farther than Steve can." "My psychologist thought we needed to delve further into my problem."

- Fewer/Less: Fewer refers to a smaller amount which can be physically counted. "I have two fewer dollars than Chris." Less refers to a smaller amount which cannot be physically counted. "I have less money than Chris."

- Ambivalence: Ambivalence is an inability to make up one's mind due to an equal desire for two conflicting things. It means to be torn between two decisions. It does not mean that one does not care about either decision. The word to describe that condition is "indifference."

- I got: Got is the past tense of the verb "to get". To get means to acquire or to receive. If you already have something, you cannot get it. Therefore, "I got five dollars" is incorrect. The correct sentence is "I have five dollars."

- Forte: The word is pronounced "fort" not "for-tay". For some reason, people get really defensive about this. They have always heard it pronounced "for-tay" and never "fort" so "for-tay" must be right. It is not. Forte' (pronounced "for-tay") is a word used in music to mean "play loudly". Forte (fort) is also commonly misused in definition. It means "strong point" or "that which somebody does best". It does not mean preference. "Bowling is not my forte" may be a true sentence, but if what you mean is you don't particularly care for bowling, then you used the word incorrectly. A better sentence would be, "Bowling is not my cup of tea".