What English expression do you hate the most?

[captain nemo1701]

The Americanism of 'math' instead of 'maths' is a perpetual irritation. The original mathematics is also plural, it doesn't exist in the singular form...so why invent it when maths already exists?. Is putting 's' on the end too hard?. You'd never say ' I studied Physic at school'...would you?.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

There's no good reason not to begin a sentence with "and", though. And that's all there is to it.

Because that is the rules we were told at school.

But then maybe rules are made to be broken.

(for context - I was always taught never to start a sentence with And But or Because)
and - for those that know my posts - yes I was taught English!!!

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I think that particular "rule" was - like the split infinitive thing - arbitrarily decided by some long-forgotten Victorian clergyman, or some such thing. Just to reiterate, so far as I know, there's no good reason not to start a sentence with "and" or "but". But I could be wrong.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I think that particular "rule" was - like the split infinitive thing - arbitrarily decided by some long-forgotten Victorian clergyman, or some such thing. Just to reiterate, so far as I know, there's no good reason not to start a sentence with "and" or "but". But I could be wrong.

It is often used badly - in circumstances where it should be the same sentence.
This does tend to give the impression that it is a bad thing to do and indicates a lack of education of thought for the "proper" construction of the sentence

But - as I said - sometimes rules are made to be broken. Just only when you know how.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The Americanism of 'math' instead of 'maths' is a perpetual irritation. The original mathematics is also plural, it doesn't exist in the singular form...so why invent it when maths already exists?. Is putting 's' on the end too hard?. You'd never say ' I studied Physic at school'...would you?.

Mathematics is singular. As are both math and maths. The sentence "M is an abstract science" works just as well if M is math, maths or mathematics. It would never be "M are ..."

I wonder if anyone is in the habit of shortening gymnastics to gyms? Do they get irritated by people who say gym? (in reference to the field of activity, of course - not the building). Probably. It's a funny old world.

 

[captain nemo1701]

Mathematics is singular. As are both math and maths. The sentence "M is an abstract science" works just as well if M is math, maths or mathematics. It would never be "M are ..."

I wonder if anyone is in the habit of shortening gymnastics to gyms? Do they get irritated by people who say gym? (in reference to the field of activity, of course - not the building). Probably. It's a funny old world.

I understand only the USA & Canada insist on using 'math'.

 

[Profpointy]

That one I do know, Louis Armstrong used it on TV in 1956, it seems to have started as a quick informal apology among jazz musicians for a bad note.

If it's good enough for Louis then I withdraw any previous objection. Not something he'd have said very often regarding bum notes I'd have thought

 

[Profpointy]

Legal documents, contracts in particular, always seem to start "wheras", which I rather struggle to make sense of even after reading up the explanation of why it's there

 

[Profpointy]

Sentences beginning with "and" causes me great distress.

"And did these feet In ancient times
Walk upon England's pastures green"

 

[matticus]

Legal documents, contracts in particular, always seem to start "wheras", which I rather struggle to make sense of even after reading up the explanation of why it's there

I think they would at least be a little more layman-friendly if they started with
"And ... " or
"So, ... "

 

[DaveReading]

I understand only the USA & Canada insist on using 'math'.

Maths is plural in French, but singular in Italian.

Go figure.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

"And did these feet In ancient times
Walk upon England's pastures green"

we always used to point this out at school

We did have some sensible English teacher who we could have a conversation with and one of them pointed out several poems and songs that broke the rules

He pointed out it can be done but only by people who know when and how to do it

At school - however grown up a teenage boy thinks he is - he is not a proper wordsmith - and until he has grown upa bit - in every way - then the rules are there to stop him looking like a prat
I don;t think he phrased it quite like that - but that was the jist of it

 

[stephec]

The Americanism of 'math' instead of 'maths' is a perpetual irritation. The original mathematics is also plural, it doesn't exist in the singular form...so why invent it when maths already exists?. Is putting 's' on the end too hard?. You'd never say ' I studied Physic at school'...would you?.

If you were a teacher writing about it can you imagine how much ink you'd save over the years?

Just do the math.

 

[raleighnut]

That's " gotten"!

Whoops TBH it was late when I posted

 

[Gwylan]

"And did these feet In ancient times
Walk upon England's pastures green"

Bad punctuation is also uncomfortable.