Grammar that makes you cringe

[T42]

'Twas used in jest, sir, and purposely ungrammatical. But please have a good cringe if it makes you feel better.

[Legs]

'Twas used in jest, sir, and purposely ungrammatical. But please have a good cringe if it makes you feel better.

Yeah, yeah... 

[jsabine]

24/7/365.

There are only 52 weeks in a year.

Either 24/7/52, 24/365 or preferably just 24/7

Isn't it used not just to indicate that service is provided for 24 hours of every day - including every 'normal' weekend day - but to emphasise that it's also available on days like Easter Sunday or Xmas Day where many other services will be closed?

While it's clearly wrong, I don't mind it.

[T42]

^^Closed on Monday, though.

[Pickled Onion]

BBC: Russia and Syria 'weaponising' migration.

What's wrong with providing weapons or arming whoever was weaponised (which I couldn't work out from the BBC article)?

That's not what they mean - the migrants are not being armed, they're being encouraged/used as a means to destabilise Europe. More of a political/metaphorical weapon really.

[citoyen]

What's wrong with providing weapons...

Yeah, great idea - provide weapons to the migrants, preferably subsidised by the EU.

Paul Dacre would die of a massive heart attack. Hopefully.

[Mr Larrington]

That would suggest he has a heart.  The evidence¹ says otherwise.

1: Employimg Jan Moir, for starters.

[T42]

"To progress"  used transitively, as in "to progress a project", is correct according to Chambers, but it still stinks of MBAland and thereby cringes me.

[Cudzoziemiec]

I said, "You said, 'He said, "She said, 'They said, "X."'"'"
One true thing in there:

Opinions vary as to which of these usages is “American”; my inbox suggests that this term is employed by British readers to describe whichever aspect of style they don’t happen to like.

[T42]

^^^ John Barth has a story that nests quotes to around 20 levels.  Kinda confusing.

[Nuncio]

(Not grammar, and it doesn't make me cringe.)

In a similar vein to answering questions with 'Look...' and 'So...', I've noticed that 'I mean...' seems to be on the rise. Like 'So', this isn't an expansion or clarification or continuation on an earlier reply. I think I've noticed it most on American podcasts, but I've a feeling it's a grower: I found myself doing it yesterday. Apologies if this has already been covered.

Also, 'reticent' seems to be making a bid for the ground occupied by 'reluctant',and that does make me cringe. A bit.

[Wobbly John]

On a sales email from a company we rarely deal with, the representative hopes something about my well. I'm not sure what, as she does not finish the sentence (Hope your well (no full stop) ). 

[hellymedic]

I thought clarion's recent post in the Gallery should be here.

[clarion]

Yep. Definitely worth a cringe.

[Cudzoziemiec]

But interesting too. Is it simply a written representation of non-standard speech or is it a mistaken use of a past tense for a past participle?

[Mr Larrington]

Some USAnian SCIENTIST used the word "automatize", which I think means "automate", on a recent episode of "The Infinite Monkey Cage".  I trust he will never be invited to appear on the Home Service again.

[Ian H]

But interesting too. Is it simply a written representation of non-standard speech or is it a mistaken use of a past tense for a past participle?

It's Yorkshire, innit.

[drossall]

Some USAnian SCIENTIST used the word "automatize", which I think means "automate", on a recent episode of "The Infinite Monkey Cage".  I trust he will never be invited to appear on the Home Service again.

That's just a similar (mis-)construction to "burglarize".

[Deano]

I encountered "overwhelm" as a noun today. As in "to avoid overwhelm". It makes sense, but still

[Peter]

Agreed.  I still struggle with overcast as a noun, from weather forecasters.  I dare say it's been going for years but I still struggle!

[Ian H]

Overcast
Broadcast
Typecast
Couchcast
Plastercast
Sarcast

[Mr Larrington]

I like "sarcast".  Charlie Brooker makes a living from writing and presenting sarcasts.

[tiermat]

I thought clarion's recent post in the Gallery should be here.

Northallerton, home of the grammar pedant.

[mattc]

Agreed.  I still struggle with overcast as a noun, from weather forecasters.  I dare say it's been going for years but I still struggle!

I'm only aware of them using it as an adjective.

But perhaps my horrible grammar filters have been protecting me!

(Just because one CAN noun an  adjective, I don't believe one always should. )

[Mr Larrington]

I don't have an issue with overcast as a noun.  "The bombers took off into a heavy overcast" or similar.  Clearly I've spent too long reading about the Gallant Fliers of the RAF as an impressionable youth.