ENGL 344- Blog #1

Banning a Muslim from wearing a hijab is the same thing to me as banning a Muslim from being Muslim. France is basically taking away their religion but not openly saying it. When we were talking about this in class, I was thinking about how sad it is that we can't be ourselves because a higher power believes differently- that we can be told one thing but have laws suggest something else. A Muslim can be a Muslim but just can't show off her beliefs through a hijab. However, a catholic can be a catholic AND a nun can wear a habit, which is very similar to a hijab. Why and how is this fair? It's not. One religion can get away with believing what they want to and another is forced to partially conform to society or leave their homes. Sometimes I think I am privileged being that I have never had to deal with these problems and other times I believe I might not be as privileged as I think. People who's beliefs are challenged in such a way get to challenge their own morals and values. I have never been challenged like this. How do I know my beliefs are strong when I have never had the opportunity to stick up for what I believe in to a higher power? Truth is, I don't. Getting into debates is really important because it lets one see another perspective and to work through one's own thoughts. The person has to defend themselves, thus creating more of a dedication towards a religion/belief system. The person will become more open minded through this discussion having heard someone else's thoughts. I wish I knew more of what other people thought or maybe even why people disagree with how I feel. I might be more committed to my values.

Those dang singulars

Can there be more conditions to consider? If so, how many? This sign is quite confusing and this grammatical error could confuse a driver. Again, the last thing signs should do is confuse our drivers! The sign reads: "Road Conditions Varies." "Varies," the verb, shouldn't be in the singular form because "conditions," the subject, is in the plural form. When the subject is singular, one should use “varies.” Yet, when the subject is plural, one should use “vary.” Since the subject is plural, it means that it should be followed by the plural form: "vary." The sign should read: "Road Conditions Vary."

Citation:

 "Sentence Patterns - Vary / Varies from __ to __." Sentence Patterns - Vary / Varies from __ to __. Web. 22 July 2015. 

Does you want to read my blog?

I saw this post scrolling through an app, Instagram, recently. This account, "thegoodquote" is an account that posts uplifting quotes and sayings. The account was really encouraging up until now when I noticed this grammar disaster! The quote reads: "Love doesn't come easy but lust do. Some nights, I settle for feeling anything at all. We all do." The first thought that popped into my head was "did I just read 'lust do?'"

The word "do" should be replaced with "does," and the quote should read: "Love doesn't come easy but lust does. Some nights, I settle for feeling anything at all. We all do." The reasoning for using "does" is because "lust" is singular and "does" is singular. "Does" can also be replaced with "it" as the subject which would properly be paired with "does." For example, it does vs. it do.

I think the most worrisome factor is how many people saw and liked this photo! I wonder if everyone noticed the grammar mistake just as I did. Then, I realize probably not everyone did and this is just a good way to spread grammar misuse! This is really concerning.

Citation:

 "What Does vs. What Do." - Grammar & Punctuation. Web. 22 July 2015. <http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/>. 

Apostrophe's are hard to use

Currently out of the banana's what? The apostrophe at the end of "bananas" makes me assume that the banana owns something. This causes me to think that this sentence has not been finished. When the apostrophe is used as an "apostrophe 's,'" it would mean possession. This apostrophe doesn't belong here for that very reason. I think this person is only trying to say that they are out of bananas, not the bananas something. You cannot just use an apostrophe to make a regular noun plural.

Citation:

"Apostrophes." Apostrophes. Web. 10 July 2015. <http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp>.

Possible dyslexia?

This sign talks about a possible fine if the rules are broken and proceeds to read "two-away zone." Two-away from what? I am wondering if I am two incidences away from a fine. So, who does this sign apply to? Are we all two incidences away?

I am assuming that the sign is supposed to read: "Penalty $100-500 Fine Tow-Away Zone." It seems that the "o" and "w" were mixed up which is an unfortunate occurrence. This sign is now very confusing and I don't think someone would want to stare at the sign very long in trying to figure out the message that is supposed to be put across. At first, I thought the mix up would be between "to," "too," and "two." Yet that does not even make sense. It is not good that these letters were mixed up because someone should definitely be aware if there car is in danger of being towed away.

The person that made this sign could have possibly been dyslexic. That would explain the mess up of the letters. However, I don't want to assume anything.

The best citation I could find:
 "Spoonerisms, Mondegreens, Eggcorns, and Malapropisms." Quick and Dirty Tips. Web. 1 July 2015.

Don't Read this in the Passed

This sign is sending two different messages. So, students can't be dropped off. Also, one needs to pass this sign. My questions are WHERE can't students be dropped off?? Anywhere?? Cool! No more school! On the other hand, I have to pass this sign... immediately? When I feel like it?

One mistake on the sign has caused a lot of confusion. This mistake is the word "pass" which should really be "past." "Past" denotes movement so it would work here. However, "pass" implies present tense which is not the right usage here. This can really confuse drivers- which is not a good place to be confused, especially around a school! This sign is supposed to send one message for students not to be dropped off past where the sign is, however the grammatical error might cause people to think otherwise.

Citation:

 "Passed." The Difference between Passed and past (grammar Lesson). Web. 25 June 2015. 

Please read this title prior to and ahead of my post

This sign really irks me. There is no reason for this many words! "Prepay" means to pay before the service. However, the sign goes on to say "in advance." In advance would also mean before the service. Saying "in advance" is just access words that are unnecessary to the message which is trying to be put across. I think this sign is so ridiculous and I wonder how nobody realized the issue before it was published. The message I am getting from this sign is to pay before I pay before I get the service. If this is the correct message, why am I paying so much?? How great is this service that I must prepay so many times?! The most important part about grammar is the message it sends. Without speaking English correctly, one can completely misguide a conversation.

Citation:
 "Prefixes." Prefixes. Web. 19 June 2015.