Episode 104: Grammar we can get behind (with grammar check.)

HP has a commercial that is geared toward the environmentally conscientious. "It's a growing trend in business - do more with less energy - HP is helping UPS do just that." They detail how they are helping UPS save energy and resources and conclude the commercial with: "That's a trend we can all get behind."

There are four classification of buyers in the world, according to what I was taught: Achievers, Belongers, Emulators, and the Socially Conscious. This ad campaign could focus on the achievers where they can focus on being the first to do something. Emulators want the best items. Belongers want to be a part of a team.

May I recommend: Improving your business while improving the environment.

Better. Faster. Cleaner.

Episode 103: Leave the Ordinary Advertising Grammar Behind (on the Cutting Room Floor)

This is the fourth installment of the BeyondYourDreams.com commercials. My first three commentaries were:

Episode 62: regarding their "Invest in yourself" commercial.
Episode 87 commenting on their "Beyond Your Dreams" spot.
Episode 102 regarding their "On Top of the World" advertisement

Today it is their commercial which is titled: "Leave The Ordinary Behind." They proclaim that 'this is the year to leave the ordinary behind." What are we doing? Are we taking a spin class on the cruise in order to achieve a firmer behind? Ending a sentence with a preposition.

I suggest "See the extraordinary every day."

Episode 102: Find your Grammar at BeyondYourDreams.com

I have commented on the AlaskaBeyondYourDreams.com in previous posts: Episode 62 where they took grammar further, and higher and Episode 87: where they took my breath away. The newest example of taking a vacation from proper grammar is their "On Top of the World" commercial.

"Alaska: There is only one place where you can stand on top of the world.... and do something that you've never done before."

All that they had to say was "...and do something new and exciting." I have written previously regarding the Emulator, Achiever, Belonger and the Socially Conscious types of buyers. New things will attract one buyer, the achievers, and exciting things will attract the emulators. The outdoor shots will capture the socially conscious people. All they need to do is target the next ad to a family vacation and they will be talking to the "Belongers."

"Alaska: This is the place where you can stand on top of the world and do something that you have never done."

They have seventeen different spots, which means I may have a lot of fodder from which to choose. I already am working on my next column.

Episode 101: Ford - Time to Retread the Tire Commercial Commercial

Mike Rowe has a commercial where he is talking with "Fiona" regarding a Ford Tire Sale. "Who has 11 major brands to choose from?"

Who has 11 major brands (of tires) from which to choose?
Who has 11 major brands of tire choice?
Who gives you the choice of 11 major brands of tires?

I choose better grammar.

Episode 100: Go Further (with your tagline)

When it comes to basic in grammar, a sentence normally has two words: noun and a verb. A person could argue that there are a few instances where one word says it all: "Stop!" "Go!" All parents know the first sentence that their children learn: "No."

 It is very hard to coin a one word phrase for advertising purposes. Ford Motors is attempting to get car owners to maintain their vehicles using the tagline "Go Further." Go further than what? Go further where? Go further how? I blame it all on the infamous "Got Milk" campaign. Two word phrases can be trademarked. Trademarked phrases can still contain bad grammar.

I recommend: "Get more fun for your money." How about: "We keep you moving in the right direction."

Oh, by the way - #101 will also be from Ford.

Episode 99: Now That's Better (Just not the best grammar.)

Wendy's has a new tagline: "Now that's Better." Better than what?

Comparative or qualitative  words  require subjects for comparisons to be made. So Wendy's burgers are better than frozen? Are they better than flame-broiled burgers? Are they better than pizza or chicken?

Would you want to eat better burgers or the best burgers?

Episode 98 - Even Football Promotional Spots Can be Flagged for Grammar Penalties

I enjoy watching NFL Gameday, especially after my team wins. I can't get enough of the highlight films. That is probably where "NFL Gameday" came up with the idea of "We make something you can't get enough of." I obviously have no trouble getting enough examples of sentences ending with a preposition.

NFL Gameday - We get you running and throwing.
NFL Gameday - We catch you coming and going (I would throw a flag for that tagline.)
NFL Gameday - Before, during, and after the big game.
NFL Gameday - We keep you coming back for Seconds, Thirds, and Fourths.

Doh! Promo Spot for "The Simpdon's" is missing proper Grammar.

"It's the show you can't get enough of." The Simpsons" is an iconic lowbrow comedy on FOX. This show, "The X-Files," and "America's Most Wanted" launched the network. I haven't watched it since Bart and the gang went head to head with the Huxtables.

That is no excuse for a scripted promotional commercial to end a sentence a preposition with.

Episode 96: It is Time to Take Our Grammar Back (from Advertisers.)

I like witty advertising. Laser Spine Institute is attemptiong to be witty with the pun "Take Your Life Back." Thet are talking regarding repairing your back, and alleviating back pain, through surgery. Fix your back. Take your life back. I get it. Take your life back (from whom?)

Laser Spine Institute - We Get Your Life Back on Track to a Pain-free Life

Episode 94: To Better Understand what Grammar is All About

AARP has a Medicare Supplement Plan that offers a guide to "better understand what Medicare is all about." I heard this while I was writing another column regarding ending sentences a preposition with. I know that when I get to that age I will want to know what Medicare will cover. That is all that they had to say: Our MSP guide will explain what Medicare covers and what it doesn't cover. It will also explain what the supplemental plan will cover.

 (Medicare will probably not cover that much because it is currently underfunded for the demand that is being placed upon the system. Check out the Social Security Trustee reports for the past few years to discover the status of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Social Security Disability Insurance.)

This particular commercial was a bad grammar twofer when they proclaimed that expenses  "can really add up." I realize that "add up" is a common phrase.  Does the website have a calculator to add up the miscellaneous expenses? These uncovered expenses can provide an unpleasant surprise when you can least afford it.

I recommend a pamphlet on improving grammar in advertising.

Something to Write about (Part 3) Ending a sentence with a preposition (11-20)

This is the third installment of "Something to Write About." One of my major pet peeves is advertisers that do not proofread the advertising copy before they film a commercial spot. Here are another ten classic lines from current commercials.

"What 3-D was made for."
"I have had more awkward conservations than I am equipped for."
"Get Your Chef Together"
"Fly Beyond."
"Dip'n Chik'n is Back"
"Worth rushing in for"
"Don't stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to."
"I have a nice long time ahead."
"What are you waiting for?"
"When was the last time a vacation took your breath away?"

You will have to wait for a while for the fourth installment because the other ten instances have not made it to the blog as of writing these summary blogs.

Something to Write ABout (Part 1)
Something to Write About (Part 2)

Episode 92: There's examples of bad grammar in Progressive commercials

I started this blog when one ad caught my attention. It was after seeing a commercial from Progressive where a 'shopper' was talking about "Them are Here" that I started paying close attention to Progressive commercials.

I have written five previous columns regarding Progressive.
"A smarter way to shop around."
"How's that atom splitting thing going?"
"We crunch the numbers so you don't have to."
"Progressive gives you lots of choices to choose from."
and the infamous "Them are here" I have even caught more examples on bad grammar in that commercial. I was so distracted by the "them are here" statement that I missed other examples of terrible grammar.

This time it is the "Mission Impossible" scene where Flo drops from the ceiling to deliver an insurance package she says "There's doughnuts in the break room." Either there is one last, lonely doughnut in the break room, or there ARE doughnuts in the break room. Or is it donuts?

The ARE plenty of examples of bad grammar in Progressive commercials. I am on the look-out for my next example of Progressively worse grammar.

Something to Write About (Part 2) Ending with a Preposition (21-30)

I have written over forty columns regarding advertising on television where the sentences end with prepositions. Yesterday I listed the first ten that I discovered. Here are another ten:

"Reviews you can count on"
"It gives you what you are looking for."
"Where the cancer is at."
"So they have something to write in."
"Flavors this good are worth searching for."
"We crunch the numbers so you don't have to."
"Having what you want on the network you rely on."
"The house next door was broken into."
"It is the best we are made of."
"In Alaska you vacation goes further. And Higher."

Can you guess which grammatical goof-up belongs to which company? Follow the links if you want to find out who made the goof-ups.

Episode 91: Some Advertisements are Beyonder Words

This advertisement is only one third as bad as I thought it was. I never thought that handsomer was a word. I always thought that it had to be phrased as more handsome. I was wrong.

Less Expensiver is a phrase that I did not have to check. Let me say that I have seen fewer words that are bizzarer than expensiver. Sharperer. Really?

Handsome. Sharp. Inexpensive. Grammar Check.
Hansome. Sharp. Fiscally Responsible.

Something to Write About: Ending with Pepositions (31-40)

I started this column as a frustrated person who was tired of advertisers using poor grammar to promote their products. Haven't they ever hired copy editoirs? Here are the first 40 examples I have uncovered, starting with the first ten that I uncovered while watching television:

"Protect what you worked so hard for"
"Wherever your party is at."
"Is that the package we've been waiing for?"
"There’s isn’t a challenge he isn’t up for…."
 "12 Fish to Stay away from."
 "Helping you and those you are there for."
"Sometimes the hard road is the right road to be on."
When you shut off the water "it goes back to wher eit started from."
"Turn your blinker on."
"What your mouth would dream about."

I may be up to fifty examples by the time I finish this research.

Episode 90: Clear Choice is still not chosing the proper grammar.

One of my first blog postings on poor grammar focused on a woman being afraid of her son being embarrased of her. People are embarrased by their actions and their words.

Clear Choice now has something else that will embarrass them. The company is promising "life-long results you can be proud of."

Clear Choice: We put the pride back in your smile.
Clear Choice; Your Smile Makes Us Smile.
Clear Choice: Only Your Dentist Will Notice the Difference.
Clear Choice: Taking a Bite out of Time.
Clear Choice: Life-Long Results in One Day.
Clear Choice: We Send You Home Smiling.

Episode 89: What are you better at AT&T?

The setting has become a fixture: The man sitting in the classroom with the kids. He asks them "what are you better at?" Joke telling? The joke is the grammar. This is another example of ending a sentence with a preposition.

Episode 88: Move Free - Healthy Joints Move Free(ly)

There is a new product called "Move Free." I like the concept of the product amd the name. The product promotes joint relief. The sub-title for the product is "Total Joint Relief."  A product with the name "Total Joint RElief" would resonante with me better than "Move Free." Is the product free? Am I moving across the country? Mayve "Move Freely" does not have the same ring? Are they going for the "Got Milk" market?

The problem for Move Free is that there are a lot of joint supplements on the market. There is a product with the trademark "Total Joint Health." There is even a product called Pain Denfense - Advanced Defense with the webite http://www.totaljointrelief.com/ There is even a product called "Joint Juice." Coming up with a new name for a new product may be challenging. It shouldn't be so challenging as to have to corrupt good grammar during the process.

How about "SportsFlex?" SportsFlex - Getting your joints back into motion.

Episode 87: When was the last time an ad took your breath away (to Alaska)

When was the last time a vacation took your breath away? This was a question asked during a commercial for Alaska tourism. If you 'travel' to the http://www.alaskabeyondyourdreams.com  website advertised during the commercial it redirects you to the http://www.travelalaska.com/ website and the opportunity to receive some free information. Ending a sentence a preposition with.

This is not the first time that an Alaskan tourism advertising has caught my grammatical attention. Episode 62 focused on the  "In Alaska you vacations go further. And higher" statement. That commercial raised my ire because the phrase started with a preposition and ended with two modifiers that had nothing which to modify.

When was the last time your vacation made your dreams come true?

Episode 86: Bean Before ( a beautiful lady steps into an elevator.) (Part 3)

"Take Beano before and there will be no gas." Where's the whoopie cushion? This sequence is available on YouTube. I found it while researching the "Suntain Lotion vs. Sunburn Cream" advertisment that is the foundation of Episode 80.

If you need more Beno Before (you start your day) here is Part Two.

Part One is "That ship has sailed."

Looking for bad grammar in advertising is a 'gas.'

Episode 85: I am waiting for (Better Grammar in Advertising) to be Penn-ed

I can't tell you how many times I have watched the Colonial Penn advertisement for 'death benefits' to pay for the cost of burial. I think that I missed this example of bad grammar because it has become common place to say "what are you waiting for."

Why are you waiting? What will it take to make you call Colonial Penn? Are you waiting for a personal invitation from Alex Trebeck?

Ending a sentence a preposition with. I've previously said it and I'll say it again: If it weren't so painful, I might go back and count the number of examples of ending a sentence with a preposition that I have uncovered.

ePisode 84: eSurance's grammar is awesomer

Even the paid spokesman for endurance hesitated before he said the word awesomer in their "Tennis for the Modern world" commercial.  The text for the advertisement is:

Over the last 100 years, tennis has gotten less dainty. Racquets less splintery. Courts more surface-y. Technology made the game a whole lot faster. And Awesomer.

Most awesome. More awesome than.... Awesomeness.... Awesomely bad use of the English language. Perios instead of commas? How about using semi-colons in that terrible paragraph? Surface-y?

eSurance - Insurance for the Modern World.

eSurance - for eXceptional coverage.

eSurance - eXactly what you want when you need it.

Episode 83: HughesNet - Helping you stay connected (with this blog)

HughesNet is a satellite Internet provider. They advertise that they "help you stay connected." Are they connecting you with your friends, your family, your bank, or your work? There is an object to which we are being connected that is missing from the sentence.

I recommend: HughesNet helps you connect with your world, your way.

If that is too wordy, then: HughesNet - When you can't be tied down by cable.

Ah, if only someone would hire me to write these witty bits of advertising.

Episode 82: Gram's Grammar: I attempt to help you speak correctly (right?)

Angie's List has an ad running right now that says "We help you hire right the first time." They last time I checked, Right is not a common name for most people. It is either "We help you hire the right person the first time" or "We help you hire correctly the first time." I don't want to hire a Right or a Left. I want to hire the person with the best reviews.

Angie could also say "Our reviews guide you to the best person available for your needs."

This is not the first grammatical slip-up that I have discovered in the Angie's List commercials. The first commercial that caught my attention was "Reviews you can count on." It was just this past August.

My word to my readers is proof-read your copy before it runs.

Episode 81: Beano Before Part 2 - That ship has sailed

The great thing regarding researching these grammatical goof-ups is that I can find a lot of classic commercials on YouTube. Here is another "Beano Before" spot that has the Beano Before tagline cruising for the shore, just like the Costa Concordia.

Beano Before or gas reliever after

"Take Beano before and there will be no gas."

How about: "Beano helps clear the air."

You can read my first column on this subject - "That ship has saied." - here.

Episode 80: Beano (Part 1): Edit before (you film) or Have me find your grammar problems me after (it airs on television)

The ad asks a question, and I use that phrase loosely, which is better suntan lotion before or sunburn cream after? The ad promotes the concept "Beano Before" and their will be no gas. Beano before what? Obviously you are supposed to take the Beano tablet before you eat your be meal. The subject is implied.

The question of "suntan lotion before or sunburn cream" after is also terrible.  Most of the time people don't think that they will burn from being out in the sun for a short period of time. Sometimes gas sneaks up on you.

A tablet of prevention or a glassful of cure.

Why not a picture of a balloon busting? How about a glass that produces gas, a glass that produces gas with a Beano Tablet in it, and a third where you have to poor in the gas reliever after the gas is formed?

I have two more classic Beano ads to follow.

Episode 79: If More Reliable is Better, is Most Reliable Best?

AT&T is advertising that their 4G service is more reliable and that it is better saying that "More is Better." Fine. More reliable than whom? More reliable than what? Better than whom? Better than what? Is the AT&T $G service better than their 3G service?

Their website, ironically promotes their network better than their television advertising. The say that independent reviews from PC World and PC Mag have awarded their network with being the fastest and most reliable network in the country. How's that coverage? T-Mobile and Verizon seem to be claiming better coverage. Fast is only so fast if their isn't 4G LTE coverage.

S'mores are better than these fragmented advertisements. Any time that you use a comparative word the first object has to be linked to the second object. "More" and "Better" are both comparative words and cannot be linked to one another.

Episode 78: I have unlimited potential ahead (of me) with this blog. Re-tiring grammar.

AARP is advertising Medicare B Supplemental Insurance. There is this retired woman who says "I have a nice long time ahead." The sentence should have been "I plan on having a nice long life ahead of me."

One of these days I will research how many posts have highlighted advertising ending sentences prepositions with.

Episode 77: Eliquis is not so Eloquent

I watch way too many television advertisements. A new ad campaign shows an older gentlemen reliviing his basketball memories while discussing his medication that he is taking to prevent strokes. You and I might call the medicine a blood thinner.

The product in question is  Eliquis. The actor tells the viewer: "Don't stop taking Eliquis unless you doctor tells you to."About the only time I want to hear the phrase "Don't Stop" is when the song is performed by Fleetwood Mac.  Don't stop is a double negative. The fact that the sentence ends in a preposition makes it doubly problematic grammatically. Also, ending a sentence, or sentence fragment, a preposition with is always wrong.

The website cleans up some of the grammar where they state: "Do not stop taking Eliquis (apixaban) without talking to the doctor who prescribed it for you. Stopping ELIQUIS increases your risk of of having a stroke." The senetence should be "Discuss with your physician the risks of eliminating ELIQUIS from your medical routine before you stop taking the medicine."

The website also states that "you might have a higher risk of bleeding if you take Eliquis and other medicines that increase your chances of bleeding." Higher is a modifier. The statement should be that "you have a higher risk of bleeding than...."

My prescription, as always, is to run a grammar check prior to running a new advertisement. Someone should be able to run a grammar check after the script is written and before they are read by the actors.

Episode 76: Qunol Co-Q10 absorbs better (than basic grammar)

This advertisement makes me scratch my head. Qunol advertises its CoQ-10 for joint pain. They say that they are "the better CoQ10." The hanging modifier drives me nuts. If it is the better CoQ10, which CoQ10 is the best? How is it better?

Do you want good, better, or best? Are they afraid to say that they are better (than one of their competitors?)

I recommend: Qunol - the Only Q you need to know in CoQ10.

Episode 75: Worth Rushing in for

Sears rushed the type copy an advertising when they said that their deals are "worth rushing in for." If ending a sentence with a preposition is bad, ending a sentence with two prepositions is twice as bad.

Our sales are worth the drive.

I have one hundred of these grammatical slip-ups. This is only the 75th example that I have posted. Feel free to come back tomorrow and the next day. Follow me on Twitter. @Gramas_Grammar Retweet me. Leave comments.

Episode 74:Popeye's Chicken Advertisement Leaves Me Hungry for Good Grammar

I only pay partial attention to the fast food commercials that air on television. I am a vegetarian and do not go to many of the hamburger or chicken joints during the course of the year. I will visit them from time to time while traveling with my family.

I was watching the news when the station broke for commercials. The advertisement for Popeye's that I saw was promoting the fact that they are bringing back their Dip'n Chick'n to their menu. The spokeswoman for Popeye's said that "this is the one you can scoop up the sauce with." Her speedy and pleasant delivery made me almost missed that she ended her sentence a preposition with.

While visiting their website and found the above plug for the Dip'n Chick'n. Their Dip'n Chick'n is back (to the television, to their restaurants.) Would their chicken be returning as a sequel? Could they say that their "Dip'n Chick'n is available?"

Maybe the name should be Sauce Scoopers?

They could instill a sense of urgency saying "while they last."

Episode 73: Scottrade: I speak like me - the sequel(s.)

Notice the "I Trade Like Me" commercial link in the
 lower right hand corner of this screen-shot.

I commented on the Scottrade commercial where they say "I don't trade like everybody else, I trade like me"  this past June. Today, I went to their website and found the newest version of the "I Trade Like Me" commercials.

Notice the last line from the homepage under the
"I'm With Scottrade" tag-line.
"Why wait?" or their version "What are you waiting for?"

The new commercial has a spokesperson/actor saying "I get one view of my bank and brokerage accounts...to easily move my money when I need to."  Again, I'll say it is not a good idea to end a sentence a preposition with. All the actor had to say was "...to easily move my money when I need it." Changing "to" to "it" changes it from a sentence with poor grammar to one that has good grammar.

I have also written in previous posts that using a tagline with improper grammar is wrong (See my "Get You Chef Together" column.

I found a second problem with the advertising campaign while visiting the website. They are using the hash-tag #ITradeLikeMe. They are using bad grammar in their hash-tag in an effort to reinforce their bad grammar

I found a third incidence of bad grammar while researching their website. They say "What are you waiting for" in an attempt to spur someone into action.

Episode 72: Emerson: It's Never Been Said (Before.)

"It's never been done before." is what is printed on the screen as a lead in tho Emerson's "Consider It Done" tagline. If it has never been done the time period is presumed to be prior to the statement. That would be the same as saying "It won't ever be done after." After what? Before what?

A minor point of contention is that while I attended grammar school "It's" was the contraction for "It Is" not "It Has" Another minor point of contention is the use of the word "never."

"It hasn't been done becomes we can do it."

"Other companies say it can't be done. We say consider it done."

Episode 71: Grey Goose Helps You Fly Beyond (Bad Grammar)

Grey Goose talks about how its creator defied conventional thinking when he created Gray Goose Vodka. The new ad campaign is even getting a positive peer review. "Fly Beyond" is supposed to be an aspiration and to allude to their symbolic flying geese. Do you need to fly beyond (the hunters?) Do you need to fly beyond (Stoli?) Do you need to fly beyond (flavored vodka?) Is Grey Goose the vodka of choice on certain airlines?

I have written many columns on ending sentences a preposition with. I have also just written a column and ending your tagline with a preposition with my posting on Kraft's "Get You Chef Together" campaign.

Defy Convention.

Let your taste-buds soar.

Goose your taste-buds.

Vodka isn't black and white. Embrace the Gray.

Embrace better grammar.

Episode 70: Get Your Grammar Together (with Grammar Check) While You Are Cooking

There is a new ad campaign by Kraft that is so distracting because of the 'bobble head' chefs raving about the quality of the mostly prepared meal. The home cook just needs to warm the ingredient on a stove-top and serve. I prefer to cook my own sauces so that I know how much salt is in the sauce. The tagline for the product is "so you can get your chef together."

Finishing a sentence with a preposition leaves a bad taste in my mouth.I think that it is even more disturbing that their website tagline  and domain ends with the same preposition.

Get your chef together with our sauces. (Get YOUR Chef together with OUR sauces.)

Think out of the sauce (to play off of thinking out of the box.)

Twice the sauce - half the effort.

Episode 69: Chase-ing the most grammatically correct advertisement

Chase has a very nice mortgage ad with a relocating family as the focus. They are advertising that Chase can get you a mortgage "more effortlessly." If something is without effort can you get more zero than zero? Either the mortgage is obtained with less effort than you have had to previously exert or they make obtaining a mortgage effortless.

Oh, and yes, I know that something is either grammatically correct or it is not. You can't be most correct - that is the point.

Episode 68: Viagra... snips and snails and puppy dog tails.

Yesterday was a busy Saturday for finding poor grammar in commercials. Viagra has been very conversational with regard to their advertising. The most recent version tells the viewer: "This is the age of knowing what you are made of. "Boys are made of snips and snails and puppy dog tails according to the old nursery rhyme.

This is the age of extending your personal peak performance.

This is the age of being able to perform on a moments notice.

This is the era where your chronological age does not determine your emotional age.

This is the era of good grammar.

The is the era of knowing how you define success.

Episode 67: Insure Your Message - Grammar Check Your Commercials

I like the commercials that are realistic. Mass Mutual has a commercial where the dad is talking about raising his two girls as a single parent. The father says "I have had more awkward conversations than I am equipped for." I am a father and I, too, and have had many awkward conversations with my daughter. All that had to be said was "I have had more awkward conversations with my daughters than I thought were possible."

Ending a sentence a preposition with.

Episode 65B: Our grammar has never been worse

I commented this week on a BP ad where the representative said that they are drilling for oil "more safely." I'll say it again - it is either safer, the safest we have ever been, or safely.

The same spokesman finished that same commercial with "Our commitment has never been stronger." It has never been stronger than it is now? It has never been stronger than their grammar? Stronger is a modifier. Check the commercial before it airs, or in this case errors.

Episode 66: Nutrasystem keeps you feeling fuller (than what)

I started watching commericials and getting annoyed with the grammar earlier this year. One of the first commercials that got 'under my skin' was the Nutrasystem commercial with Terry Bradshaw saying "I ordered me" Nutrasystem.

You have probably seen another ad for Nutrasystem, this one with the mom walking out of the pool in her bikini. The voiceover for that spot says that "Nutrasystem  keeps you feeling fuller, longer." Fuller and longer than what?

Fuller and longer are comparative words. A better use of these comparative words would be:

• Nutrasystem keeps you feeling satisfied for long periods of time.
• Nutrasystem keeps you feeling fuller than a soup diet.
• Nutrasystem keeps you feeling fuller than a fast food lunch. Is any of this true? 

If Nutrasystem keeps you feeling satisfied better than a normal meal, or another weight loss meal program, then say so.

Episode 65: BP's grammar needs to be cleaner, clearer.

I was watching a BP Oil commercial yesterday and the grammar bothered me. The spokesman explained that they had learned some lessons after the BP Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico. They said that they have learned how to extract oil from the Gulf "more safely." That language is bizarrer than you might think.

Bizarre and safely are words that cannot be modified. The interesting thing is that the root words can be modified, and they are modified in the opposite way. Bizarre things can be even more bizarre  or the most bizarre. Bizarre things cannot be bizarrer or be the bizarrest. Keep that in mind while playing Scrabble with unscrupulous friends.

Conversely, drilling practices can be safer. BP oil can be the safest drilling company. They can drill more safely. They can drill safely. They cannot drill more safely.

Who checks these commercial before they air?

Episode 64: The Gravity of Grammar in a movie review

"Gravity" is a movie with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney out in space at the International Space Station. It is available in IMAX 3D and RealD #D. The second commercial I have watched says that "'Gravity' is what 3-D was made for."  Grammar falls flat. Ending a sentence with a preposition has had more sequels than" Police Academy."

Gravity is coming at you in 3-D in your local theater. Gravity's

Episode 63: Choose taste. Choose Flavor.. Choose Better Grammar

I have a lot of fun with this blog poking fun at te advertisers who use poor grammar. Most of my previous entries have focused on ending sentence a preposition with.

This example is one of poor use of words versus poor grammar. You have the sense of smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. You can smell odors, aromas, fragrances. You can taste sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami. Verb versus Adjective. I could go on and on regarding using the wrong word  when it comes to 'smell-o-vision.' Cooks say "This smells amazing" all the time. The last time I checked, cook foods do not have the sense of smell. Instead they should say "I can smell the fresh herbs, the pepper, the lemon, etc....)

The current case in point is Prego Spaghetti Sauces. They said during a current advertisement: "Choose taste. Choose Prego." It should have been "Choose Flavor. Choose Prego."

I choose home-made sauces.