When do you use "could of" instead of "could have?"
Never.
The End.
*
*
*
That really was a quickie, wasn't it?
In true Crystal form, however, I can't resist saying a little more. Here goes:
1. The correct usage is "could have," and its contraction form is "could've."
2. "Could've" sounds JUST like "could of."
3. "Could" is an auxiliary verb (helping verb) in a verb phrase.
4. The word that it helps must also be a verb.
5. "Could see" = yes! correct!
6. "Could run" = yes! correct!
7. "Could smash" = yes! correct!
8. "Could of" = NO! incorrect! Because "of" is not a verb.
9. "Could" suddenly looks like the weirdest word in the English language.
The Real End.
Thank you, Karey, for this Grammar Quickie suggestion.
Speaking of which, is "Grammar Quickie" too suggestive? Your feedback would be appreciated.
My upcoming How-To posts include the following:
* How to tailor jeans (as soon as I am not too lazy to do it myself & photograph the process).
* How to make divine wheat bread that your kids will eat (Thank you to the Divine Miss Kate).
* How to dice garlic, how to butterfly & truss pork tenderloin (as per my sister Jill's request).
* How to instantly lose the respect of others but love yourself (first hand experience on this one).
* How to correctly use the freaking 's! (plural, contraction, possessive)
* How to use Passive vs. Active voice in your writing.
* How to use Passive Aggressive behavior in your marriage (just kidding.) (sort of.)
10 comments:
I demand more grammar quickies, as well as all the other how-to posts listed. You are a smorgasbord of how-to. I bow at your feet and will count on you to keep this thing going, all right?
II want to see passive vs. Active voice in writing. I'm sure I do it wrong.
I love the pic at the top.
Also, The term quickie thrills me in everyway.
I love your grammar quickies. (the only kind of quickies to love) I love them because I can usually (key word) tell when something is incorrect, but can never explain the reasoning/rules behind it.
P.S. (I am copying your "you and I" post for future reference) :)
Grammar predicaments are some of the times I miss my mom the most! Ok fine, and when I was writing college papers and desperately wanted someone to proofread slash change-half-the-paper-to-sound-better editor. :)
My vote for the next grammar quickie is definitely the 's dilemma! (followed close by the misuse of you/you're epidemic) I had a slight argument about "Buttars" with my in-laws. As in, the proper way to pluralize it. It is "es" right??? Please say yes, or I feel all a-fool. :)
Your grammar quickies are hilarious! And how are you practically related to Jessica R. and I not know you?!
So how many grammar rules did I break with that sentence...:)
THANK YOU!!! Pet peeve there, sister. The only grammar mistake that bugs me more is....
'S!!!
Do it.
(Also garlic. I use fresh everything. Except garlic, cause it's too hard.)
Ooohh! Dying for your how-to on divine wheat bread! So exciting. I'm at a stand still with mine, as our cannery is back ordered and I can't get my dang wheat!!! BUT. I am so dying for what you have to say.
I love that you do grammar stuff. I hate hate hate it when people mess it up. But then, I should be patient because I know I probably mess a lot of other stuff up.
But still...does it ever bother you when someone says "nuculer" rather than "nuclear"? Drives me absolutely crazy. Wikipedia says it's becoming a recognized pronunciation for nuclear because of its widespread use. Ugh.
I enjoy these grammar lessons even if I feel nervous while reading them. I am NOT guilty of this one though.
English is my second language so I need all the help I can get. I should clarify that I was born her in the USA but english has never made sense to me and I am looking forward to a few lessons from the great Miss Crystal!
My Youngest is demanding the closepin weapons...
...I am a little scared that that book exists.
:)
I'm not going to show your blog to my husband or he might leave me for you. He is a grammar Nazi. So was my dad...hmm...does that mean I married my dad? Oh boy! Can I just have a lesson on how not to lose the respect of others? Maybe a lesson on humility too-its a good thing I go to church weekly.
Post a Comment