Now, Grammar, I love you.
Here are some websites that are dedicated solely to the wonder that is the correct comma placement, dash for emphasis, parsing for fun and oh so much more (then you ever wanted to know) about the written word ... enjoy.
1) www.whyatittle.blogspot.com
-- Showcasing some of the more hilarious everyday mistakes with an emphasis on the oddly placed lowercase "i" amongst otherwise fully capitalized words. See below.
Photo courtesy of whyatittle.blogspot.com
2) http://literally.barelyfitz.com/
-- This blog chronicles the illicit use of the word literally in the english language. For this reason, it holds a place near and dear in my heart. To any of those who know me, it is a well-documented fact that I say "literally" just about every other word. Literally.
3) www.lowercasel.blogspot.com
-- Similar to whyatittle, this blog records different incidents of the confusion that ensues when a handwritten sign or poster reads with a lowercase letter "l" while intelligently deciding to leave all other letters capitalized. It looks like a number one, people.
4) www.killtheapostrophe.com
Lets discard the apostrophe. Its pointless.
For this next one, I decided to just copy and paste something that came straight off the blog because there is a point to be made in what is being said. Plus, it's damn funny.
Some preemptive explanation: the author of this website has deemed the apostrophe unnecessary. Before you imagine a dark, sad world where no one can understand if you meant "we are" or "were" without the apostrophe, the site has some logic behind their crazy quest for the apostrophe's murder. Case in point:
"WHAT ABOUT HE'LL AND HELL AND WE'RE AND WERE, SMARTASS?
OK, lets make an effort here and try to think of examples of sentences where apostrophe usage might be said to make a functional difference.
Wait a second, Im still thinking.
Um...
OK, look, Im out of time right now. If you know a sure fire example of a sentence where (for instance) we'll and well or we're and were can be mixed up in a way that actually has an impact in the real world, please email webmaster@killtheapostrophe.com. If it took you more than an hour to think of, it doesnt count. The fact that most people are unable to think of a single real-world example which left them genuinely confused about a meaning, or where they couldnt seek clarification from the context is the reason I think this objection is irrelevant."
(text courtesy of www.killtheapostrophe.com)
Well.... can you think of one? I'll ask my editing professor.
*Read this blog; even if you don't like grammar (ugh, what is wrong with you, man!?) It's just plain hilarious, and yes I am aware I will find it funnier than someone who isn't studying Journalism. Just read it.
5) www.celebrityenglish.com
-- Time for my two favorite things to join forces: celebrity gossip and grammar. There is a God. Not only does this website quote a plethora of celebrities (bring on the trash, sass, fashion and apparently, stupidity) it ALSO then goes into detail by sweet detail of what grammar law they disobeyed. Genius. This website may even turn me on a little bit.
Here is a clip to get your whistle wet:
Christian makes an agreement error but uses the right pronoun
“He’s not a guy who feels the suit to be constricting. Wearing the mask and putting on the suit gives him absolute freedom.” - Christian Bale, about his Batman character in The Dark Knight
Christian has made an error in subject/verb agreement. In the second sentence, the subject is the compound noun “Wearing the mask and putting on the suit,” which is plural. However, the verb, “gives,” is singular. One way to correct the error is to change the verb to its singular form.
“Wearing the mask and putting on the suit give him absolute freedom.”
In the first sentence, Christian correctly used the relative pronoun “who” to refer to “guy.” A common grammatical error is the use of “that” to refer to a person. Nice job, Christian!
(text courtesy of www.celebrityenglish.com)
Dear www.celebrityenglish, are you single? Wanna get it on?
6) www.wordsatwork.blogspot.com
-- Warning: this one is probably not for anyone outside of the journalistic world. The writer of this blog, dare I say it, is as witty as me and definitely has a keener eye for journalism. Damn. Not only is it fun to read, but it is also chock full of how-to's. If that weren't reason enough to check it out, look down the left side of the page and BAM, links to nowhere short of 100 blogs. Surely one will catch your eye.
7) www.apstylebook.com/ask_editor.php
-- Who knew that when writing about skiing down a slope, the proper terminology is schussing. As in, "I schussed down the slope." I'll tell you who: Jennifer Rowe, my editing professor. I have no doubt, however that David Minthorn, AP Stylebook editor knows that as well. Go ask David your questions; he will undoubtedly answer them regardless of their mundane importance. Here's a gem from today:
"Is ramen, as is ramen noodles, uppercase? Thanks."
David's response: "lowercase"
Short. To the point. AP Style, you've made my life hell. But I like you anyway.
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I now know what I will be doing with the rest of my evening. Happy grammar-ing!
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