Seven Grammar Mistakes Even the Pros Make

Seven Grammar Mistakes Even the Pros Make Language is, and has always been, an evolving form. It changes along with societal shifts and is a dynamic concept that is often dependent on context, formality (or the lack thereof), setting, and audience. The concept of grammar and grammar rules attempts to give form and consistency to the dynamic nature of language, but even within that set standard, there are changes that occur over time. Keeping up with those changes can be a full-time job within itself.That being said, it is almost impossible for a person to learn every rule of grammar and the current accepted usage. Even the pros who work in the publishing industry or in academic research tend to make mistakes with some of the simplest grammar rules, which is why they always hire their own copyeditor or editor before submitting a final draft for publication.Thankfully, technology has introduced amazing tools like spellchecker and online editing to assist professionals with all things grammar in their day-to-day communication. However, despite these advances, and despite the availability of copyeditors and editors, the pros still make mistakes sometimes and here are their most common ones.What do to with those seasons...Many people still assume that seasons (such as winter, spring, summer and fall) need to be capitalized in every instance as proper nouns. This is incorrect. The seasons are generic nouns and are only capitalized when forming part of a proper noun with another word. See the following examples:The spring season is perfect for participating in outdoor sports and recreation.If you like winter sports, Colorado is a great place to live.However, when a season is used as a title, it then becomes a proper noun and should be capitalized. See the below examples:The Spring 2014 semester started off well this year.I have enjoyed watching the Sochi Winter Olympics very much.Who and WhomWho is a nominative pronoun (as is he, she, it, we, and they). Whom is an objective pronoun (as is him, her, us, and th ey). Therefore, when you are choosing between who and whom, always ask yourself if it is the subject or the object of the sentence. If the needed word is in the nominative (or subjects) position, use who. If it is in the objective (or objects) position, use whom.Which and ThatTo say that which qualifies and that restricts doesnt make the choice between these two words any easier for most people who dont want to sit and think about the words usage in the sentence. Without a lesson in restricting pronouns and relative clauses, just remember that which introduces a clause that isnt essential to the meaning of the sentence, whereas that provides information that is necessary for the sentences meaning. Heres an example:The concert, which is sold out, will be held in Madison Square Garden.While its nice to know that the concert is sold out, whether or not there are tickets left is irrelevant to the fact that it will be held in Madison Square Garden. In other words, the clause which is sol d out contains extra information that isnt essential to the sentence. However, consider this example:To our knowledge, the Earth is the only planet in the solar system that sustains life.Without the clause that sustains life, this sentence would lose its meaning and be illogical, since the Earth isnt the only planet in the solar system. In this case, that introduces a restrictive clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.The correct use of MootHow often have you heard someone say thats a moot point, intending the expression to mean that point is superfluous? The widespread misuse of the word moot to mean superfluous is a mistake even made by the pros. The correct definition of a moot point is a point that is arguable or open to discussion. If its a debatable point, its moot.Farther and FurtherWhen you are going farther, you are going a measurable distance. When you are going further, that distance cant be quantified. Take the following sentences as examples:I can run f arther than she can. (This is a measurable distance.)Dont antagonize me any further. (This is not measurable.)The use of the word AnxiousHave you ever said, Im anxious to get away for vacation? If so, you were saying that youre afraid of getting away, since being anxious of something is to be frightened about it or having dread about it. Instead of being anxious, most people actually mean to say that they are eager.Bring and TakeWhile seemingly inconsequential, there is a difference between bring and take, and different contexts in which each should be used. Even the pros get this one wrong often. In order to get it right, the speaker or writer needs to know which direction the object is being moved in relation to the person speaking or writing- either toward them or away from them. If the object is being moved toward them, then the action of the sentence will include bringing, such as Bring me a doughnut for breakfast. If the object is being moved away from the writer or speaker, t hen the action of the sentence will include taking it, such as Take this note to Stacy and see what she says about it.