Grammanimal

Further evidence that I am a giant grammar nerd (or "grammanimal," as my friend Covi calls it)... Here are two recent examples of grammar and writing/editing that amused me:

The first is an example of the phenomenon called Contrastive Stress. This sentence has seven different meanings, depending on the stressed word:

1. I didn’t say she stole my money — someone else said it.
2. I didn’t say she stole my money — I didn’t say it.
3. I didn’t say she stole my money — I only implied it.
4. I didn’t say she stole my money — I said someone did, not necessarily her.
5. I didn’t say she stole my money — I considered it borrowed, even though she didn’t ask.
6. I didn’t say she stole my money — only that she stole money.
7. I didn’t say she stole my money — she stole stuff which cost me money to replace.

(Originally seen on A Cup of Jo)

2. The second - which I swear is not meant to be a political rant of any type (though I have my thoughts) - comes from Vanity Fair's literary editor and editors from the research and copy departments. I love how colorful the transcription became after their review:



You can go to the Vanity Fair site to see the edits in detail.

Perhaps this outcrop of "word nerd" entries is due in part to the fact that I listened to several podcasts on the way home from NYC, including several quickies from Grammar Girl. Please bear with me as I remove my tape-mended spectacles and pocket protector. (Kidding.)