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Triangle Grammar Guide

Longtime N&O journalist Pam Nelson writes about language use and misuse and answers questions about grammar and style. Readers can weigh in on what annoys them, too. Think of this as your online grammar class. Send e-mail to Pam at pam.nelson@newsobserver.com.

Top 10 irritating phrases

Oxford University researchers have released a top 10 list of irritating phrases. The link is to a British newspaper story that uses "comprises" correctly, by the way.

One word that makes me cringe lately is "enormity." Television journalists speak of the "enormity" of President-elect Barack Obama's tasks once he is inaugurated. I suppose usage is changing, but I still think "enormity" refers to great wickedness, not to great size or importance.

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i hate

"top ten" lists

irritating phrase

"at the end of the day...." How Grey's Anatomy of you.

word: "bundle"......bundle this!

Well, I have to say that if

Well, I have to say that if that's all that bothers the Brits they have it pretty good. Maybe the compilers of the list have never visited America.

How about the recounting, "I'm like . . ., and then she's like . . ., and then I'm like . . . ."

Is them TV journalists Republicans, saying what they mean?

And our word does come from the French/Latin that means 'enormous.'

makes me cringe

i hate the phrase "baby bump" when describing someone who is pregnant.

Cringe indeed

Oh, I don't like "baby bump" either. It's overused and infantile, if you'll pardon the word play.

A former boss forbade the phrase "snail mail" to refer to the U.S. Postal Service. He found the nickname unnecessarily harsh and dismissive. He pointed out what a remarkable job the postal service does in moving millions of pieces of mail every day. His objection opened my eyes, and I have avoided using the term "snail mail" ever since.

Pam Nelson

Triangle Grammar Guide

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