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I have a problem in that I love good grammar. I love the English language - seriously, it's got to be one of the least structured and most random in the world. But the kids I babysit say things like, "I did good on my math test today." How do I get them to use our language well? Just correcting them drives them nuts, and not correcting them drives me nuts. I want them to love grammar, not dread it. Suggestions, por favor? (I know, I rant about how much I love English, then go and throw in a Spanish phrase. Get used to my fickleness. :D)
-EH
submitted by Emily H. :), age 13, Sparks, NV
(July 27, 2009 - 11:17 pm)
(July 27, 2009 - 11:17 pm)
Emily, I suggest you just model good grammar. For example, when one of them says, "I did good on my math test," you can reply, "You did well on your test? Congratulations!"
Language is ever evolving, and though I was taught all the rules of grammar in the ancient past, as I get older I find that some of the "no-no"s of my youth are now acceptable even in the Random House Dictionary. For example, "fun" used to only be defined as a noun, but now it's also defined as a verb. I think "good" may be accumulating more acceptable parts of speech, too!
(July 28, 2009 - 9:24 am)
I agree with Old Cricket. Don't be like: 'What??? You mean to say 'well,' don't you? Let me teach you some PROPER grammar!' - not like I think you'd be like that, of course, but you can correct it politely in the way Old Cricket suggested. Don't get too hung up on it, and when they tell you they did well on their grammar test, you can be proud of yourself. :)
(July 28, 2009 - 5:13 pm)
I do do that, but it doesn't seem to make any impression. :P
-EH
(July 30, 2009 - 2:16 pm)
But yah, I agree with Old Cricket. :)
(August 1, 2009 - 11:09 pm)
How old are they?
(July 28, 2009 - 1:03 pm)
Nine and ten, easily old enough to know what they're doing.
-EH
(July 30, 2009 - 2:16 pm)
I agree with Old Cricket in that you should just model correct grammar. It might rub off on them.
(July 28, 2009 - 6:10 pm)
Ooh... that's tough. I can be a grammar nut too... and I can get slightly annoying with the corrections. Ask my fifth grade teacher. I corrected her a lot... *cough* Unrelated. Sorry.
Well, how old are the kids? If they're, say, nine or ten, sorry, but they should know this by now. In that case, I'd correct them. If they're, oh, five or six, then I'd try to let it slide and just /model/ it. It depends on their ages, in my humble opinion, or if they're ultra-sensitive.
My grandparents' Mac has spellcheck. This gives me inner joy.
(July 29, 2009 - 9:43 am)
I've been modeling correct grammar for them for five years! More than half their lives! It obviously isn't helping.
-EH
(July 30, 2009 - 2:17 pm)
*is unsensitive* Then just correct them. :/
(July 31, 2009 - 10:42 am)
If you approve of correction, Mary Liz, may I correct you? 'Unsensitive' is not a word. I believe you meant 'insensitive'.
(July 31, 2009 - 5:05 pm)
I've tried that, too. Methinks either I have to live with their bad grammar or get them mad. One of the two. :(
-EH
(July 31, 2009 - 8:40 pm)
Thank you, Ima, I do strongly approve of correction. I know "unsensitive" isn't a word... mistake. Also, I'm guessing you meant to write 'insensitive.' as opposed to 'insensitive'. Periods and commas before apostrophes and quotes.
(August 1, 2009 - 2:36 pm)
My brother and I have a mini-monologue occasionally inserted into our conversations in which he says, "O word!" and I reply "I word!" O word being overreacting and I word being insensitive. That helps me keep unsensitive and insensitive straight.
-EH
(August 1, 2009 - 5:36 pm)
ARG!!!! My brother is OBSESSED with anything that has to do with anything that has to do with grammar. We think he's going to be a linguist. (he practically is already) He DRIVES ME NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, can't help it. :)
(August 1, 2009 - 11:08 pm)