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Mrs. Bluezette's Grammar Guide
"anyways," "anywheres," "being as," "being that,"
"could of," "enthused," "hisself," "in regards to"
You're not likely to write any of these non-standard expressions into
copy.
But Mrs. B wants to be sure they don't pop up in your ad-libs, either.
"Anyways" and "anywheres" have no business coming out of your
mouth.
Lose the "s" on each.
"Being as" and "being that" may sound appropriate spilling from the
lips of an "NYPD Blue" cast member, but they don't from yours.
Say "because" or "since," instead.
v
BECAUSE (instead of "being that") I slept late, I missed the first
cut-in.
Instead of "could of," say "could HAVE."
v
He COULD HAVE edited the story far better than I.
Instead of "enthused," say "enthusiastic."
v
Everyone was ENTHUSIASTIC about the new graphics.
"Hisself" should be "HIMself."
v
He turned HIMSELF in.
"In regards to" is a bad marriage of "in regard to" and "as regards."
v
IN REGARD TO taking phone calls, five minutes before air is
pushing it.
v
AS REGARDS using non-standard expressions, Mrs. B hopes
you won't.
