Poor English in books

[factor-fiction]

There is a book out at the moment which I've just seen and the summary on the cover that's meant to grab your attention says:

"They bonded together in victory all those years ago, and now their back to mourn..."

Would that example of poor English put you off reading a book- or would you read it to see what other grammatical errors you could find?

[janbee]

Hi Factor, I'd probably not buy it. I've recently read a book (I won't mention the title) and it was full of bad punctuation, bad spelling, appalling syntax and page after page of similes (4 in just one sentence). They're, there and their seem to be common mistakes don't they?

[factor-fiction]

Your write their, janbee. (Only joking!)

[saxy_jag]

Can't find the book, just the DVD, but I wouldn't buy it whatever the format. If they can't take the time and trouble to get even their publicity correct, what hope the rest of it?

[PipinHull]

That's terrible! Who is it published by? You have to feel sorry for the author though, it won't have been them that wrote the blurb. I used to write blurbs and really hated reading the ones where it was very clear that the writer hadn't read the booked/watched the film they were summarising.

[starone]

I don't suppose one can get through life without making some spelling mistakes or using bad grammar. I try not to, but I'm sure I do. One of the things I hate is the use of providing instead of provided, and I know it is trivial!

[boxtops]

It would put me off - in fact if I already owned/borrowed the book, I have before now written to the publishers. I keep a pencil by my bed, where I do most of my reading, and correct as I go along, I can't bear to leave it! My current book is well proof-read, it's a delight to read!

[boxtops]

^^ you are right starbuck, but not in published material - no excuse for that!

[mrs_overall]

What bugs me is any book/article that mentions Scuba diving where they talk about "flippers" instead of fins, "goggles" instead of mask - and the biggie that really riles me is "oxygen tank" instead of air tank/cylinder.

I need to go lie down in a darkened room now

[gingejbee]

I made the "there/ they're" mistake on a post this morning, but did correct it within a minute. I'd be horrified if it had gone into print, though.

[Quizmonster]

Starbuckone, in the sense of 'on condition that'...which is what I assume you mean...providING has been used exactly as providED has since the early 1600s. That's getting on for half a millennium's-worth of usage, so maybe just time to accept it.

[starone]

I do accept it Quiz. I haven't got much option as it is used so much, but for some reason it still irks. Foolish of me, I know.

[sophie_1003]

It does really annoy me when mistakes are made like that; I can forgive people on websites like this but on published stuff which is meant to be proof read it is just annoying, depends on the book as to whether I would read it or not to be honest though!

[MarkRae]

http://www.northmiddl...?q=content/green-fees

[THECORBYLOON]

I see their packages include extra's.

[sophie_1003]

Ooh was worried you were going to correct my spelling then Mark! You would have had a field day in a shop I went in recently; the signs to show how much items were presented such gems as- "Poker set- card's, dice and chip's", "Makes a perfect preseant", "Hungerey Hippos" and "Brake dancing wind up toy's"! What's the significance of the golf website though?

[sophie_1003]

Oh I see!

[sophie_1003]

Arrghh, "practice"! That one really annoys me especially as I was corrected (incorrectly) when I wrote practise not practice on an assignment which was marked by my English tutor!

[MarkRae]

Practice is a noun, practise is a verb. cf licence and license, advice and advise, etc...

So, golfers would practise on the practice area.

[starone]

I think it should be "a members club which" rather than "a members club who". That's three mistakes. Actually I don't suppose anyone noticed.

[sophie_1003]

Ah yes; I hadn't read it properly, I'll forgive them this time then!