There are quite a few common errors in the use of words in English. We have grammar rules for a reason. Without the use of correct grammar, misunderstandings can easily occur. I once heard something like this on the radio. (I cannot quote the exact situation as it was a long time ago, but this is more-or-less what was said.)
Now I’m quite sure the man did not steal the money while in court, but that is what was said.
A correct sentence should have said ‘A man was sentenced in court today to 3 years in jail for stealing money from his employer.’
This is just one example of many. Unfortunately, many of the culprits are journalists who should know better.
When I was at school we did lots of exercises of this kind, having to correct the sentence.
Another thing that does not make me laugh, but causes me to shout at the radio or TV and that is the misuse of Amount and Number.
Amount/number. I frequently hear people using the word ‘amount’ when they ought to be using the word ‘number’.
A simple rule is “If you count it, then you say ‘number’ but if you measure it you say ‘amount’.”
Thus it would be: ‘The number of people at the music festival exceeded all expectation,’ or ‘The team needed to score a greater number of goals in order to win the match.’
And: ‘The amount of rainfall this month was above average,’ or ‘The amount of time required for the task is greater than that allowed.’
Another way of thinking of it is that if you are talking about things that come in whole numbers (e.g. people, goals etc. You can’t have half a person or half a goal!) then you say ‘number’ but if you can have fractions, then it would be amount. (e.g. time, weight, length etc.)
Some people might like to think of it in terms of analogue and digital. ‘Number’ is used for digital numbers, and ‘amount’ for analogue.
I will leave you to consider this with these few simple exercises. I will post the correct answers in my next post, which will likely be next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Correct the following sentences:
1. Bulldog for sale. Will eat anything. Very fond of children.
2. The dog growled at me as I was passing in a very aggressive manner.
3. Caroline’s bag was found by a man full of groceries.
4. The wool was found by the playful kitten in a complete tangle.
5. Man saved from being killed by train on rail line.
This last one is on I’ve just seen on BT.
Put the correct word, Amount or Number into these sentences.
1. There was a greater ---------- of rainfall than usual last month.
2. There was a greater ---------- of people at the match than usual.
3. The girl put a large ----------- of sugar in the cake she was making.
4. If you look at the window you can see the ---------- of raindrops that have hit it.
5. We need to score a greater ----------- of goals than that if we are to win the league.
From the end of this month I am going to be concentrating on my Wordpress blog and so will not be posting so frequently on Blogger. I think I said previously that I am frustrated by being unable to see the comments made by people. If you want to continue to read my posts, please visit http://aspholessaria.wordpress.com/ I hope that you will continue to follow my musings.
If any of you are following The Wolf Pack on this blog, I have started serializing it on Wordpress. I am only up to Chapter 3 there though. It can also be found on Wattpad too where I think I am up to about Chapter 22. If you can't wait, though, you can buy it from Amazon at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk
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