I saw this sign at an event I was attending recently. “Complementary” means something that completes or makes perfect (which a massage always does for me, but that’s not what they mean here). “Complimentary” means free of charge (which IS what they mean here).
A friend found this on our recent trip to Memphis in a restroom. Sometimes it isn’t an error in words that makes a Grammar Giggle. Sometimes it is an error in direction. While this sign tells you to use the hand dryer on the right, the hand dryer is actually on the left. Some good citizen tried to change the arrow direction, which only made me giggle more.
A friend sent this to me. When you start your own business, it is really important to advertise that business using business cards that are professional and reflect your personality and your qualifications. This error is inexcusable.
I was recently looking up some information on the State Bar of Arizona website looking for groundbreaking women attorneys in Arizona for potential speaking engagements. As I read through them all, I noticed that two words completely changed one sentence. Lisa Loo is the first Asian American WOMAN PRESIDENT of the State Bar, not the first Asian American of the State Bar. Those two words make quite a difference.
While trying to earn my country certification at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, I saw this screen:
It should be “Collaborations.”
A blog reader sent this to me from her local newspaper. This is another example of people not reading headlines–or headings in legal documents. And if you have the Word setting turned on to not check words in all caps, turn that off right now! That will help you find errors in headings and important documents that use all caps for titles.
If you find something that is Grammar Giggle-worthy, take a picture and send it to [email protected].
Menus are a great place for finding Grammar Giggles. Here is a great example. This is another issue with an apostrophe and an issue with using “compliment,” which means to praise someone, and “complement,” which means to add something that enhances or improves it. While I’m sure they want you to COMPLIMENT them on all their food, I think they mean that it enhances all of their food.
A reader shared this from a sign in an airport. This is something that spell check or reviewing quickly will not find because the word is not misspelled–it’s just the wrong word. But she did say that the “thing” actually sliced up an excellent sandwich!
I saw this sign on a recent trip. If you squeeze a lemon, mango, or strawberry, it is squeezed. If you just squeezed said lemon, mango, or strawberry, it is fresh squeezed.
I recently went and played bingo at a local casino. I love bingo, but am not an expert and need the instructions for each game. In other words, I actually read the instructions.
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