March 4th is National Grammar Day, a day to march forth to speak well, write well, and help others do the same. You can check out the website for all the fun grammar-related articles and activities. Or my post last year, which shared some of my past grammar-related articles from the blog.
This year, I saw a fun contest that involves haiku. I love haiku, and I’ve written a few here in the past. The American Copy Editors Society (ACES) is hosting the National Grammar Day Tweeted Haiku Contest. The contest is open until until noon, March 3, with the winners announced on March 4, National Grammar Day. You’ll need to tweet your grammar-related haiku and use the hashtag #GrammarDay.
In honor of the big day, I decided to write haiku about my three biggest grammar-related pet peeves. (If you’ve worked with me on a writing project, you’ll understand!)
1. I cannot stand it when people put two spaces after a period. Yes, many of us were taught to use two spaces in school, including me. It’s incorrect and has been since we’ve started using computers regularly. It’s time to stop. (Read this article for more explanation.)
No typewriters here
One space after period
Is the way to go
#grammarday #haiku
— Jennifer Barbour (@anotherjenb) March 3, 2014
2. How many exclamation points are needed to show that you are excited? I say one. If you are a good writer, you can show your excitement through your words. Nine exclamation points after every sentence in a blog post, letter, email or Facebook status is a tad overkill.
Exclamation points
How excited can you be?
Just one should suffice
#grammarday #haiku
— Jennifer Barbour (@anotherjenb) March 3, 2014
3. When you google Comic Sans, it autofills with things like “Comic Sans hate” and “Comic Sans criminal.” Unless you are an eight year old girl, please stop using it. Now.
Use of Comic Sans
You cannot be serious
The font should be banned
#grammarday #haiku
— Jennifer Barbour (@anotherjenb) March 3, 2014
What’s your biggest grammar pet peeve?
This is too cute for words and seriously was never a great poet myself, but haikus were definitely fun to try and write and loved yours. As for my pet peeve with grammar, I think the use of “Their, There and They’re” has always been up there for me. I hate when others don’t know the difference and can still here my 8th grade Catholic school english teacher making a huge point of this in practically every grammar lesson she taught. So, this one is definitely one I won’t be forgetting anyway soon thanks to her.
Janine Huldie recently posted..Kindergarten Registration ~ A New Chapter for Us
I hate when people confuse there, their and they’re. I make it a point to make sure my 8 year old is learning the difference now!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Why I Will be Traveling to Nicaragua in March
Haha, these are great! I have to admit, I’ve been guilty of the two spaces after periods until very recently when someone (maybe Sam?) pointed out to me you’re not supposed to use it. But it was drilled in my head for so long! And I’ve also used Comic Sans, but ONLY for the headlines of the newsletter at my last job, and that’s because it was aimed at families with young children. Otherwise I agree completely, ban it. I think one of my biggest grammar pet peeves is mixing up affect/effect, as well as their/they’re/there as Janine mentioned.
Bev recently posted..10 fail-proof ways you can be sure as hell to annoy me
Affect/effect is alway a tough one. I just remember that affect is “a” verb. I’m getting to the point where I don’t even want to allow Comic Sans in kid-related notes. I get way too many from G’s school!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Ice Castles, Loon Mountain, NH
Oh boy, I am guilty! I don’t think I use comic sans, but the other two I am definitely guilty of. I probably drive you nuts. LOL I have been getting better about the one space…it was drilled into me. And I am working on the exclamation point thing too. 🙂
Michelle recently posted..Pie for Dinner! 14 Recipes to Please Your Comfort Food Cravings
I haven’t noticed too many violations by you, Michelle. You’re safe!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Saving Every Baby
Ok. When did the one space after a period thing come into play. Was it always that way? (Note: I had to go back and remove spaces from this post:)
Michelle recently posted..I Feel Pretty?
I’m pretty sure the use of two spaces after a period has something to do with typewriter days. Seeing as how we are no longer using typewriters, it makes sense for the rule of thumb to change. One space is all you need!
Katie @ Pick Any Two recently posted..20 Reasons for Moms to Work Out
You are correct, Katie! The article I linked to in the post explains it all. But what is basically comes down to is the fact we don’t use typewriters anymore!
anotherjennifer recently posted..National #GrammarDay Haiku
Oops, my bad for not checking out the link!
Katie @ Pick Any Two recently posted..What It Really Means to Do What You Love
Cracked up! This is great! I am a big fan of ALL CAPS to show my excitement…and I admit I am addicted to ellipses. ;)-Ashley
thedoseofreality recently posted..Would You Rather Have: Oscar Style Or Oscar Arm Candy?
OK. ALL CAPS and ellipses drive me nuts too! Thanks for the reminder, Ashley. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Buy One Give One in Business and in Life
This is fun! And it all needs to be said.
I do have some pet peeves of my own:
Punctuation, please
And correct use of your, you’re
They’re, their, there as well
Tamara recently posted..Too Darn Happy.
Love it, Tamara! I should have made it a requirement to comment in the form of haiku.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Snowy United States of America
Aren’t haiku’s so much fun to do. I love writing them too.
Susan Zutautas recently posted..Strawberries
They are fun. Kind of a challenge too.
anotherjennifer recently posted..The Gift of Hope
Now that I know your pet peeves, I’ll have to contain my excitement and limit my use of exclamation points! Darn, I already used one. This is awesome, Jennifer. Love it.
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted..PRO Compression Marathon Sock Winner
Thanks, Nicole. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Daily Giving and The Pollination Project
Okay, I confess! I absolutely still do two spaces after periods. I cannot seem to break the habit! I believe I’m good on all your other pet peeves though. My personal pet peeve? People who use 4 and more dots in an ellipses…it’s 3…just 3!
WriterMom Angela recently posted..Review & Author Interview for The Eye-Dancers
Ha! Well, I hate ellipses so I guess the four dots would just be overkill for me. Thank you for not putting 2 spaces in your comment. I appreciate it. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Snow Day Fun
I’m surprised by the rule about two spaces after a period. I don’t know that I can change the way I learned to type! I’ll go read the referenced article and see that it has to say.
BusyWorkingMama recently posted..Stocking Island Exuma, Bahamas Beach Vacation
The article explains it all! 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Lone Tree By the Sea
Haha. This is awesome!!! Now I need to think up some Haikus! 🙂
Susannah recently posted..Can a Protestant Celebrate Lent?
I love haiku. Start writing! 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Celebrate International Women’s Day Through Conversation and Giving
Sheesh… so many annoying grammar issues. I am not exactly a grammar queen, but I hate hearing “you is.” or “is you?” and so forth. And I agree with Janine on the “there/their” but I know I make that mistake sometimes if I’m writing really fast!
Alexa recently posted..Skylar Wishes {Book Review}
“You is” drives me nuts. Ain’t does to. People are funny with grammar. I’ve had people get mad at me and send me nasty emails because of the 1 space after a period rule.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Celebrate International Women’s Day Through Conversation and Giving
1. I cannot stand it when people put two spaces after a period. <– Yesss! This drives me nuts, but I had to do it when I had to type papers for school.
I think my biggest pet peeves are… improper use of they're, there, and their and to, too, and two. From living in the south, I have developed a ridiculous amount of grammar pet peeves. I CAN'T STAND when people say "I seen that" instead of "I saw that." Like why?
I also can't stand run on sentences.
Ashlee recently posted..Prayers For Holly Bobo
I’m so with you on all of those examples, Ashlee! People say “I seen that” here in Maine too. I cringe every time I hear it! Happy to hear I’m not alone in these pet peeves.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Celebrate International Women’s Day Through Conversation and Giving