further evidence of the dumbing down of America
Grammar valued more in college than in high school. Apparently, “the writing skills college instructors most want from incoming freshmen–proper grammar and usage–are considered least important by high school English teachers.”
How weird. Why isn’t grammar emphasized more in high schools? Yes, I have been called a grammar nazi, but I feel legitimately appalled at the grammar (and spelling) of my college classmates. Just today in Speech, when asked what qualities a good speaker possesses, a gal answered, “A certain sense of comfortability.”
harmony said,
April 23, 2003 @ 9:25 am
Well, I have been called a grammar nazi more than once, and I think I have actually used the word comfortability. It makes a certain amount of sense to me, and certainly more sense than the actual noun listed at m-w.com, which is “comfortableness.” That’s just bizarre. I understand that comfortability isn’t a word, but the thought train that would get you there isn’t a strange one. If you look at able and ability, it’s not much of a stretch to get to comfortable and comfortability.
Emily said,
April 23, 2003 @ 5:05 pm
What about just “comfort?” As in “the speaker’s degree of comfort in front of the room.”