If you didn't, don't say you did!

I keep seeing this lately: people online are writing "did" when they mean "didn't/did not," "does" when they mean "doesn't/does not," or "can" when they mean "can't/cannot." Most of these can be explained away as simple typos; however, these mistakes change the meaning so completely that you are saying the exact opposite of what you meant to say.

The solution is easy: read over what you've written before you press submit. There is no need to post it so fast that you end up saying that you "can imagine living without" your significant other. He/She won't be so happy to read that on your Facebook.

Whoa there!

Which is correct: 'whoa' or 'woah'? Many would pick the latter, or be unsure as to which to choose. Many, when typing, enter the latter without thought. However, that is a mistake, for 'woah' is not actually a word. The correct spelling is 'whoa' - which uses the common 'wh' that is found at the beginning of so many words (which, what, why, where, etc). I'm at a loss as to why this mistake has become so prevalent, for it has no logical basis such as that found in the misspelling of 'lose' for example. Furthermore, 'woah' should look wrong to the reader, as it would clearly be pronounced with two syllables as WO-AH rather than merely the one syllable WO. This is one of those mistakes that makes the writer look very foolish, and cannot be passed off as merely a 'typo.'

I was so angry, I whooped?

Whoop: "a loud cry or shout, as of excitement or joy" (from dictionary.com)

"I'm gonna whoop your butt!" - angry parent to child who just did something bad.

What's wrong with this picture? How do you shout someone's butt? This misspelling has become so prevalent, it's listed on urbandictionary.com with the incorrect definition. Clearly this originally came from "whip" which some people pronounce "whup" which sounds like "whoop." But why not just write "whup"? Do they think that looks stupid? Let me let you in on something: using "whoop" to mean whip/beat looks a lot stupider. At least, if you write "whup" it's obvious that you're using slang spelling on purpose.

Loose vs Lose

One of the things that bothers me the most is when someone uses the word "loose" when they mean "lose." The two words have similar meanings, but they're not the same. "To loose" means "to free from bonds or restraint. To release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty." (from Dictionary.com) "To lose" means "to fail to keep, preserve, or maintain. To suffer the deprivation of." (from Dictionary.com)

Obviously, the reason so many people have such a problem with these words is that 'o' is not often pronounced 'oo.' However, I have never seen someone write "moove" when they meant to write "move." This is probably because "moove" is not a word, while "loose" is.

This mistake is probably one of the most common grammatical/spelling errors on the Internet, and it seems to be getting more and more prevalent. I think when we see errors enough, they start to look right to us, and then we have the tendency to make the same mistakes.

Facebook Status

Saw this on a friend's status today:
I'm not super hot or gorgeous. I don't have an amazing figure or a flat stomach. I'm far from being considered a model, but I'm ME! I eat food, have curves, love to wear my PJ's, and will go without make up. I'm random and crazy, and I don't pretend to be someone I'm not. I am who I am, love me or not. It won't change ME!!! I'm the real deal!!! Ladies put this on your status if your proud of who you are


And I had to put it on my status, but I also had to correct it before posting:
I'm not super hot or gorgeous. I don't have an amazing figure or a flat stomach. I'm far from being considered a model, but I'm ME! I eat food, have curves, love to wear my PJ's, and will go without make up. I'm random and crazy, and I don't pretend to be someone I'm not. I am who I am. Love me or not: it won't change me. I'm the real deal! Ladies, put this on your status if you're proud of who you are!

Introduction

Hi, I'm the Spelling and Grammar Nazi. My friends call me Esther. Ever since I learned to read and write, I've been obsessed with correct spelling and grammar. I have a photographic memory for how to spell words, I've read hundreds of books, and I have an English Major. I love language. Reading is one of my favourite pastimes, but it irritates me when something is incorrect.
I'm going to use this blog to rant about mistakes I find on the Internet and other places. The World Wide Web is full of horrible spelling and grammar, so I will probably be able to find a lot of fodder online, but I have seen some incredibly bad, sometimes hilarious, grammatical errors on signs, in magazines, in newspapers, even in books.
Follow me and you just might learn something. :)