Each week, he homes in on a few choice instances of common grammatical failings and raps on them repeatedly with his disciplinary cane until we’ve all jolly well learnt to treat the Queen and her English with the utmost respect. Read on for this week’s lessons…
Peter Reid
The former Manchester City and Sunderland manager was in awe of Jose Mourinho’s side…
Real to good.
— Peter Reid(@reid6peter) November 21, 2012
Jermaine Pedant says… Is it too much to ask that you learn the difference between an adverb and a preposition? Homonyms at that, by Jove!
Presumably you were referring to Real Madrid being too good, an idea which itself would require some bizarre yet clearly defined parameters. However, I remain open to the notion that you were merely name-checking some forgotten ’90s pop combo.
Don Hutchison
The former Scotland midfielder was watching a television show based on the 2012 Tour de France winner…
Absolutely brilliant program on sky Atlantic about Bradley wiggins!!! His team mates worked there nuts if for him!!!!
— Don Hutchison (@donhutch4) November 21, 2012
Jermaine Pedant says… Your use of ‘program’ rather than ‘programme’ is a cause for debate: while the latter is correct in the Queen’s English, the former is generally used by our American chums. Since you were watching Sky Atlantic I shall grudgingly permit this, but there nuts is certainly not slipping through the net.
Write out one hundred times: His team mates worked their nuts off.
Britt Assombalonga
The in-form Southend United winger, on loan from Watford, had some words of inspiration…
You can be what ever you want..
— Britt Assombalonga (@BrittOfficials) November 21, 2012
Jermaine Pedant says… Technically that’s untrue.
Patrick van Aanholt
The Vitesse left-back, on loan from Chelsea, was admiring the professional talents of a Spanish footballer…
David Silva What A Player is that #Sickkkkkkk
— Patrick van aanholt (@PvanAanholt_) November 21, 2012
Jermaine Pedant says… What a mess that is.
David Davis
The Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder was getting ready for the next match…
preperation for weekend starts now!
— David Davis (@DavidDavis91) November 21, 2012
Jermaine Pedant says… Your preparation may best be started by reading this sentence over again.
Now I must take my leave, for the pursuit of regular first team football at Molineux – much like the pursuit of knowledge – is a demanding mistress.
Class dismissed!