Brad Rourke

Idiomatic Pet Peeves

I can’t seem to help myself. I get my dander up when confronted by improper use of idiomatic English (or even just plain, old correct English) expressions by people who ought to know better.

A few on my mind lately include:

  • One does not “home in on” something. One “hones in on” it. [UPDATE: I have learned this is not exactly right. Both are correct. See comments below.]
  • One does not “take a different tact.” One “takes a different tack.”
  • “Alumni” is a plural word, and its singular is not “alum.” Someone is neither “an alumni” nor “an alum” of an institution. One is an alumnus (male) or an alumna (female). When gender is in doubt, the masculine is used. No, that’s not sexist, it’s grammar.

Whew! Glad I got that off my chest!

What are your pet grammar peeves? Add them in the comments.

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9 responses to “Idiomatic Pet Peeves”

  1. Anonymous

    I see this in email a lot: “do to the fact that…” rather than “due to the fact that…”

  2. Pete Vandenbosch

    Forte (meaning strength) and forte (meaning loud) aren’t the same word. They don’t derive from the same root and are pronounced differently.  I sit up when I hear someone forte (meaning strength) correctly (as a homonym for fort.) Rare.

  3. Wordnymph

    My peeves are detailed in http://wordnymph.com/2010/04/29/lay-down-your-peeves/ and http://wordnymph.com/2010/09/01/word-mixer/ and in other posts under the All Things Wordish category on my blog. It’s nice to discover your blog today and to see that there are people who care about our crazy language. I too have been chastened by commenters. It’s humbling but instructive. I look forward to reading more of your stuff.

  4. Wordnymph

    “Home in on” is correct. The only reason “hone in on” is accepted as a recent alternative is that, like many incorrect usages, is that is it is so widely misused, it has become accepted, by a few, as colloquial. Unfortunately, there are many other examples of this. To hone is to sharpen, such as a skill or tool.

  5. Rachel Casebolt

    Me too, actually. I also thought it was “hone in”. I found the Merriam Webster page as I was searching for more “idiom errors” to remind me of my own grammar pet peeves.

  6. Brad Rourke

    Oh, my, Rachel, I had no idea you are right! 
    http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2009/09/home-truths-2.html “Hone in” is a recent alternative usage of the original “home in.” I feel quite chastened.

  7. Libi Prince

    I read yesterday in a book where they used “home in” and I was so confused and stared at it for a while wondering if I was wrong all this time. Thank you for the boost in self confidence!!

  8. Rachel Casebolt

    I’ve been hearing a lot of “far and few between”.  :(

    Also, the home in/ hone in is apparently not settled. I was in agreement with you, but Merriam Webster is not: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hone%20in. 

  9. Cayaface

    not exactly what you are referring to but it irks me just the same…..the dog is a Rott weiler, not a Rock weiler…..
    and its a Boxer……just Boxer…….not Boxer Bulldog. 
    I agree with what you said above!!  The one I learned tho, was about alumni!  Thanks for the new brain wrinkle today! 

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