# Stop typing like and uneducated fool **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 11, 2002, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833 "2002-10-11T16:08:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/21 "2002-10-11T18:49:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Kids! What is wrong with the following ad copy: > > “Winston tastes good, like a cigarette should”? Well, for starters, Winstons taste like shit… ---
**Author:** ![Robb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Robb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robb)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/22 "2002-10-11T18:51:18Z")
I should of known a thread like this would make me think I don’t know grammar good. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/23 "2002-10-11T19:03:37Z")
All I ask, all I ever ask in these threads, is that everyone, but most particularly television journalists, politicians, and other public speakers one might reasonably expect to know better, please STOP saying “continue \*\* ON \*\*”. It is simply “continue”. One either “goes on” or “continues”, one does not “continue on”. It is akin to saying “with au jus”. (which means, for those who don’t know, “with with juice”. Have your roast beef au jus or with juice, please.) And a gentle reminder for those who require it… “unique” cannot logically be modified. Something is either unique or not unique, it is not “more” unique. Think of unique as “one-of-a-kind”… can something be “very” one-of-a-kind? My little peeves, thanks for giving me the opportunity to share. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/24 "2002-10-11T19:05:21Z")
And here’s where I mention that there is _no such thing_ as an “ATM machine.” That would be a machine that dispenses automatic teller machines, and would probably take up too much room at the bank. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/25 "2002-10-11T19:22:19Z")
Although most people have just given up w.r.t. “PIN number”. And, for that matter, “the hoi polloi”. (But “kudos” is STILL singular.) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/26 "2002-10-11T19:27:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stoid \* > \*\*It is akin to saying “with au jus”. (which means, for those who don’t know, “with with juice”. Have your roast beef au jus or with juice, please.) > \*\* I once saw a menu that said “With au jus sauce.” I should have asked if I could have that on my shrimp scampi. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/27 "2002-10-11T20:28:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*And here’s where I mention that there is _no such thing_ as an “ATM machine.” That would be a machine that dispenses automatic teller machines, and would probably take up too much room at the bank. \*\* Ah, yes. I knew I was back in Tennessee when the convenience store near my house had a sign outside proudly proclaiming that there was an “ATM Machine” inside. I had a fit of giggles, and went to the ATM at the bank. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/28 "2002-10-11T20:46:09Z")
Hell, **Lsura** , I have seen “ATM Machine” signs in midtown Manhattan! ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/29 "2002-10-11T20:52:44Z")
The very worst is “aren’t I?”. A close second is “between you and I”. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/30 "2002-10-11T20:59:46Z")
Typing “and” for “an” is more of an artifact of poor typing skills than intellectual laziness or any of the other smug pedantry the op is attempting to inflict upon us. When your fingers go zipping around the keys to hit A and N, it’s understandable enough to complete the movement with D without realizing it. This kind of error happenes rarely or never when one is writing by hand. For some reason, I often type “to” when I mean “the.” This isn’t an indication of illiteracy, but of less-than-perfect typing skills. Get over it, schmuck. Find an original, worthwhile criticism instead of being lazy and picking on the trivial. Putz. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/31 "2002-10-11T21:07:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bryan Ekers \* > \*\*Get over it, schmuck. Find an original, worthwhile criticism instead of being lazy and picking on the trivial. > > Putz. \*\* There’s this new invention. It’s called a Sense of Humor. Would you like me to pick one up for you at the store? (I expect Mr. Ekers’ response to be “That’s not funny!”) ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/32 "2002-10-11T21:29:03Z")
I believe I speak English well. I’m under the assumption that I type it well, too. But in my 25 years of life, I have never once been taught in the elementary, secondary, or graduate levels of education what the difference is between “that” and “which.” Would someone please tell me? I get so sick of that green squiggle showing up on all my MS Word documents. Not that I trust grammar check, mind you, I’m just sick of that damn squiggle. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/33 "2002-10-11T21:36:51Z")
In general, use “that” with restrictive clauses and “which” with nonrestrictive clauses. Example: The accent that she uses, which sounds authentic to me, is Cockney. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/34 "2002-10-11T21:52:42Z")
Thanks **Libertarian**. In that particular sentence, it would sound a bit odd to transpose the that and which. Still, I have seen other examples on the board (specifically grammar threads like this one) where people will complain about it and then give an example that (or is it which?) seems to flow just as well the incorrect way. ---
**Author:** ![Earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/90db22/32.png) [@Earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthling)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/35 "2002-10-11T21:54:55Z")
> [@](#): > > **that, which:** “That” introduces a defining phrase; “which” does not. Strunk and White (p. 59) give the following example: “The lawnmower that is broken is in the garage” (indicates which of several); and “The lawnmower, which is broken, is in the garage” (indicates something about the mower itself). Source: [http://emd.athabascau.ca/html/editors\_guide\_3.htm](http://emd.athabascau.ca/html/editors_guide_3.htm) The _original_ source, of course, is our wonderful friend _[The Elements of Style](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/020530902X/qid=1034372659/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9416291-4509661?v=glance)_. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/36 "2002-10-11T21:56:13Z")
Ender, the way to never have the green squiggle show up is to remember that “which” takes a comma, and “that” does not. Libertarian’s answer is the real correct usage - adding or removing the comma is Word’s approximation of the rule. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/37 "2002-10-11T22:02:32Z")
Enderw24 wrote > [@](#): > > Still, I have seen other examples on the board (specifically grammar threads like this one) where people will complain about it and then give an example that (or is it which?) seems to flow just as well the incorrect way. It’s “that”. …and then give an example that seems to flow just as well the incorrect way, which is okay by me… I wouldn’t concern myself with attempting to discern any flow. If your clause is restrictive, use “that”; if it is nonrestrictive, use “which”. You’ll never go wrong using that which is correct. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/38 "2002-10-12T01:18:03Z")
You know what is frustrating? I usually use words correctly. I was brought up this way. Improper grammer and/or word usage (usually) stops me in my tracks when reading. …and yet I probably couldn’t define the usage well enough to say why it is wrong. Much of the time I just know it’s wrong. I don’t know WHY it is wrong, but I can tell you how to fix it. This really pisses people off when I correct them and can’t explain why it was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2002, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/39 "2002-10-12T01:24:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tdn \* > \*\*There’s this new invention. It’s called a Sense of Humor. Would you like me to pick one up for you at the store? > > (I expect Mr. Ekers’ response to be “That’s not funny!”) \*\* I have a truly godlike (or better yet, Cecil-like) sense of humour, but as rants go, this one is just lame and unoriginal. And you’re _not_ funny, but at least you seemed to anticipate the fact. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2002, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833/40 "2002-10-12T01:37:02Z")
**Enderw24** , actually, the best way to get rid of that annoying green squiggle is to open **Tools** menu, select **Spelling & Grammar** , click on **Settings** , then uncheck **Relative Clauses**. It’s a nice, permanent solution. CJ “That is something up with which I will not put.” Churchill [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-typing-like-and-uneducated-fool/131833.md?page=3)