Every week I will demonstrate an example of poor English where a different word is used from the one intended. Sometimes this creates a grammatically incorrect sentence. Unfortunately, the mistake is usually so pervasive that we all do it and such errors are usually made by those who should know better – journalists working for national or global media outlets such as newspapers and television
Then / Than
Yes, it is an absolute tragedy that I must be writing this WWW at all. I don’t want to do this, I shouldn’t have to do this. Blame it on the text speak say I! Whatever happened to a good basic level of English? Don’t they teach well good English in schools no more? ;-) Perhaps it is just a Facebook thing (as it is the place this error seems to be most common); if I had a penny every time I had to correct it, well let’s just say I could retire.
Than – Conjunction used as a comparative. My brother is taller than I am. I am poorer than I was this time last year. The standard of English now is worse than when I was at school
Then – Adverb used to denote chronology – something follows something. Go across the park then turn left when you get to the fountain. Once you have eaten your greens, then you can have a pudding. So what did you do then?
I think people are just lazy and don’ t bother to fix their typos. I guess. Do you think they truly do not know the difference?
I find it hard to fathom that they cannot know the difference – if so then I stand in despair at the human race.
I have to say I’ve never seen this one… or if I have my dyslexia has made me contextually ignore it.
I think it likely that if its mainly a Facebook thing then it could be down to spool chuckers and auto-neglect as most folks use their phones to FB.
Certainly my own iPhone denies that the three letter word for sick exists replacing it with ” I’ll ” EVERY time… I could believe a then/than auto-corrupt exists.
I’ve not seen it anywhere except FB (which is a Grammar Nazi’s nightmare) so you’re probably right. Ah, so ill / I’ll is another Cupertino?
It is but only on iOS, not Macs themselves as far as I know… (c:
Matt, this one drives me crazy too!
God damn Facebook ;-)
Ah, Facebook… It’s as if social networking causes one to disregard grammar and type with complete and utter abandonment. LOL. Funny enough, here in the South grammar is more of a suggestion. ;) Happy Valentine’s day, Matt.
Thanks guys, you too! Hope you got lots of cards!