# Have I freaked about "would of" yet? Allow me to do so now... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 2, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048 "2009-03-02T19:44:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/41 "2009-03-03T01:09:18Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > How about “there’re”? > > My bane is “definately”. [Free Clue](http://www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com/). There’re cases where I’d’ve used would’ve, because would’ve wouldn’t’ve been too bad, but it wasn’t the best option, so I didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/42 "2009-03-03T14:37:23Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > It is redundant. One either continues or goes on, continuing on is like “with au jus” (with with juice), or a depressingly large number of other redundant phrases commonly used, even by me, I’m sad to admit. My peeves are “added bonus” and “my personal opinion”. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/43 "2009-03-03T15:15:07Z")
I’d’ve thought this was common knowledge! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/44 "2009-03-05T02:44:44Z")
When did people start saying “on accident”? Things happen “by accident”! It drives me nuts, but I’ve heard it so much I caught myself saying something happened “on accident” the other day. AARGH! ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2009, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/45 "2009-03-05T10:52:52Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > When did people start saying “on accident”? Things happen “by accident”! > > It drives me nuts, but I’ve heard it so much I caught myself saying something happened “on accident” the other day. AARGH! I think the reasoning works backward from “on purpose”. “Did you do it on purpose?” “No, I did it on accident.” I’m with you (though not as worked up about it), just offering an etymological explanation of the perversion. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2009, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/46 "2009-03-05T12:09:53Z")
> [@Lionne](#): > > I’d’ve thought this was common knowledge! I like this! If a word with two contractions isn’t considered acceptable, it should be. And I mean it – otherwise I wouldn’t’ve said it. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/47 "2009-03-05T16:22:07Z")
I know I should of stopped long ago, but I still do do it occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/48 "2009-03-05T16:25:46Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > :eek: > > There’s a gas station/mechanic in JP that advertises one of its services as “TIRES BALENCED.” It’s been that way for decades. I while ago I saw one that was offering FREE MUFALER INSTALATION. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/49 "2009-03-06T02:31:07Z")
There was a cheap motel in Sarasota that for YEARS advertised its “LOW RAT S”! ---
**Author:** ![unstrung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a698b9/32.png) [@unstrung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unstrung)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/50 "2009-03-06T03:02:00Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > It is redundant. One either continues or goes on, continuing on is like “with au jus” (with with juice), or a depressingly large number of other redundant phrases commonly used, even by me, I’m sad to admit. > > knowledgeable experts > lag behind > live studio audience > local residents > mental telepathy > natural instinct > penetrate into > Some less obvious examples: > > “ask the question” just ask > “brief moment” a moment is by definition brief > “close proximity” proximity means close in distance > “emergency situation” emergency is a noun meaning dire, unexpected situation > entirely eliminate - eliminate means to remove entirely > hollow tube - if it ain’t hollow, ain’t a tube Just to add a different wrinkle, I would say that there are some (very specific) situations in which some of the above might not be altogether incorrect. Take, for example, “close proximity”. What if something might be only somewhat near to something else (i.e. in moderate proximity to it)? In that case, the phrase “close proximity” could in fact be a correct clarifying description. Mind you, I’m not at all trying to diminish **Stoid** ’s point, as I’m fairly confident that \>99% of folks that use the phrase aren’t making those fine distinctions. But, there are situations where some of the phrases mentioned might, in fact, be correct. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/51 "2009-03-06T03:21:32Z")
It’s not as bad as “would of” but a good friend of mine is always writing “try and”, as in “I’ll try and call Nancy later”, or “I’ll try and send that to you tomorrow.” Arghh. It’s “to”: “I’ll try TO call Nancy later.” Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![OneChance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/74df32/32.png) [@OneChance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneChance)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/52 "2009-03-06T03:27:08Z")
“Try and” always pisses me off. I’ve heard it from people who should know better. “I’ll try and see if that’s okay.” So you’re going to try, _and_ you’re going to see? I see. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/53 "2009-03-06T03:41:05Z")
You guys might find it easier to go through life if you don’t get so upset over the minutiae of how other people speak. It’s not hurting you, is it? Why the anger? (To address one specific issue: alright, some common phrases are somewhat redundant. Great. So what? What’s the problem with that? What’s so fucking terrible about redundancy?) ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/54 "2009-03-06T07:52:51Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > You guys might find it easier to go through life if you don’t get so upset over the minutiae of how other people speak. It’s not hurting you, is it? Why the anger? > > (To address one specific issue: alright, some common phrases are somewhat redundant. Great. So what? What’s the problem with that? What’s so fucking terrible about redundancy?) It’s not anger. I am displeased with the development because I value precise and meaningful language…I value precise and meaningful communication. As people become less concerned with accuracy, precision, and clarity, communication itself suffers. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/55 "2009-03-06T08:03:24Z")
But how does marginally redundant language impede meaningful communication or reflect diminished concern with accuracy, precision, or clarity? ---
**Author:** ![czarcaztic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@czarcaztic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/czarcaztic)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/56 "2009-03-06T14:24:00Z")
I started a thread some a couple of months ago concerning “for free”. It makes my brain go into a pattern of static. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Hellestal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ab097/32.png) [@Hellestal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellestal)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/57 "2009-03-06T15:16:28Z")
> [@OneChance](#): > > “Try and” always pisses me off. I’ve heard it from people who should know better. “I’ll try and see if that’s okay.” So you’re going to try, _and_ you’re going to see? I see. The OED has citations for “try and” that go back farther than “try to”. “Try and” appears to be the older structure with respect to making an attempt to do something. It’s certainly less formal in today’s speech, and it doesn’t take the same range of inflections, but it is in no way incorrect English. Next time I’d suggest you and **magellan** learn about the language instead of complaining. > [@czarcaztic](#): > > I started a thread some a couple of months ago concerning “for free”. > > It makes my brain go into a pattern of static. ☹ [The same applies to you.](http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/002857.html) There’s nothing at all wrong with “for free”. It’s a solid English phrase. The only way a person could come to actively dislike it is if they deliberately trained themselves to dislike it, which is a completely idiotic way of experiencing the world. Again, it’s a little informal, but that’s not a sin. Just speak English naturally, and you’ll find it useful in a lot of situations. There’s no reason to try and impose rules that don’t even exist. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/58 "2009-03-06T20:00:33Z")
Bonnie Hunt has a regular segment on her show featuring spoken english deviations. I can’t remember the exact wording of the segment title, but it’s a Word of the Day excerpted from daytime Court tv shows. Some examples are “spunt” instead of spent, “solicitated”, “you-ology” (eulogy), etc. I’m starting to like her show. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/59 "2009-03-06T20:31:02Z")
Spunt? _Spunt?_ That sounds like an invective of some sort, possibly a portmanteau, like “twunt,” only … spun? Spurious? Specious? Anyway, I can understand where a lot of the mistakes come from, but seeing it written down phonetically the same way the person says it makes me cringe. Some of it is dialectic though; certain words in certain regions are pronounced differently and ultimately end up being written down as such somewhere, thus unfortunately entering the lexicon of bad English. I’ll admit I’ve made a few mistakes along the way as well, but as soon as I learn that it’s wrong I have the good sense to be embarrassed and start using it correctly. “Could care less” seems to be used the way some people use “penultimate” – their intended meaning is kind of opposite what they wrote or said. I think what ultimately (heh) bugs me about it though is that such continual misuse often points to a lack of desire to learn and better oneself, which strikes me as terribly lazy and ignorant. I’m sure all of us are ignorant about a great many things – no one knows everything – but something as fundamental and critical as communication shouldn’t be something people slack on. Use of colloquialisms and slang is fine. I do it all the time, and I know the difference, as do most people, and pretty well everyone understands the intend when it’s employed, but most people also understand that it’s very informal and isn’t the sort of thing you use at, say, a job interview, or when talking with an important client, or anywhere else that a modicum of decor is in order. That’s where good communication is most critical. Bah! That’s my second rant today. I should stop before I become apoplectic. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048/60 "2009-03-06T21:15:21Z")
> [@Mindfield](#): > > “Could care less” seems to be used the way some people use “penultimate” – their intended meaning is kind of opposite what they wrote or said. In the case of penultimate, it’s not even the opposite. It’s an unrelated meaning altogether. Superlative is not the opposite of second to last. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-freaked-about-would-of-yet-allow-me-to-do-so-now/488048.md?page=4)