Hey guys,

    I saw this online and thought it was really cool.  I knew most of these, but, a few I wasn't sure on...

Here is the article:
50 Words and Phrases That Screenwriters Get Wrong
https://screencraft.org/2015/12/03/50-words-and-phrases-that-screenwriters-get-wrong/

By Ken Miyamoto  December 3, 2015

Whether it's through dialogue or scene description, screenwriters all too often get some of the most commonly used English words and phrases wrong. Sure, it's true that most script readers and the powers that be within the film and television industry likely get them wrong as well, however, better safe than sorry.

Here's a comprehensive list of commonly used words and phrases that many screenwriters get wrong in their screenplays. Some are debatable to be sure, and others are listed to offer the origins of such common phrases or variations of them throughout the years.  

1. Giving leeway NOT Giving leadway

Leeway means extra space or freedom. Leadway is not a word.


2. Giving someone free rein NOT Giving someone free reign

A rein is a leather strap used to control a horse. Free rein comes from equestrian terminology, meaning to give your horse freedom of motion. A reign is the period of time dominated by one ruling power or to possess power or authority over someone or something. While one could argue that giving someone the power or authority over something or someone applies, that's not really what giving someone free rein is about. It's about giving them some freedom in what they do.  


3. One and the same NOT One in the same

One and the same means that two things are the same. One in the same makes no sense.


4. Exact revenge NOT Extract revenge

Exact is to demand and enforce while extract is to draw out or forth; to pull out; to remove forcibly from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.


5. For all intents and purposes NOT For all intensive purposes

When you're covering all intents and purposes you are covering all possibilities.



Here is a link to the article where you can read the rest.

https://screencraft.org/2015/12/03/50-words-and-phrases-that-screenwriters-get-wrong/


Good luck
Dan


And Bert came up with a great one that wasn't included, so, I'm including it here:

It's DUCT tape, NOT DUCK tape.

I don't know what duck tape is, don't think I want to know how they get that from a poor rubber duckie, but, duct tape is what people use to tie others up with.  Is there any other use in the movies? :)

Thanks for the link, Dan -

Some I would use (spitting image, card shark, etc.) because they have become more commonly used than the origin.  

They missed the biggest one.

It is DUCT tape -- not duck tape.

That one drives me crazy.  I probably see it in a script once a month or so.

Quoted from bert They missed the biggest one. It is DUCT tape -- not duck tape.

For me, it's using of instead of have, like, could of!!!!!

I fixed it, made the divide easier to read and included Bert's example too.

I knew all of those already... aside from spitting image. There was even a political satire show with that name here in the UK.

Great list Dan

I think many of these are still common in English usage, by that I mean used in conversation so they are less likely to have morphed into the alternative suggestions.

And of course we're a bunch of writers so are probably getting these things right ore often than not.

But not that it matters too much anyway, think we'll be communicating through emoji's within the next twenty years ;-)

    

I use very few of these, I don't really use those phrases mentioned. But I just had to comment about doggy dog world, because it totally made me think of Modern Family's original Halloween episode where Gloria misunderstands people, and they misunderstand her. ("Why would anyone want to live in a world where dogs eat each other?")

Quoted from bert They missed the biggest one. It is DUCT tape -- not duck tape. That one drives me crazy.  I probably see it in a script once a month or so.

Liar!

LOL

I'm in agreement with Pia mentioning 'of' instead of 'have'. Another few that bug me are the relative pronouns: who, which, that.

Who is used for people. Which and That for anyone who cares:
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/which-versus-that-0

And, the differences between lay, lie, lain, laid.

'Lay down Sally'? I know...

But, I'm not going to quibble about a song, after all it wouldn't have quite the same ring. But, Sally is in fact lying down.

Quoted from LC I'm in agreement with Pia mentioning 'of' instead of 'have'. Another few that bug me are the relative pronouns: who, which, that. Who is used for people. Which and That for anyone who cares: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/which-versus-that-0 And, the differences between lay, lie, lain, laid. 'Lay down Sally'? I know... But, I'm not going to quibble about a song, after all it wouldn't have quite the same ring. But, Sally is in fact lying down.

I admit that I make these mistakes from time to time.  I just forget them, or most likely, fall back into bad habits.  When you get sued to doing something and you learn it's wrong, it's very hard to change, especially as an adult.  Old dogs really can't learn new tricks.

We should have a grammar section, if we already don't.  I wouldn't mind having everything in one place that I could link to.

I'd absolutely vote for a grammar section :)

Especially this and that always drives me crazy...

Quoted from Equinox I'd absolutely vote for a grammar section :) Especially this and that always drives me crazy...

Something about the final line above is itching my irk. Ah well, likely it's me, rather than that. This is sometimes the case. As I said to Mrs. Headshop the other day, grammar is not set in stone. She told me to stop bothering her. She should have been so lucky. Not now, Kylie.

I think my usage of the phrase 'One man's meat is another man's murder' was mistimed. She seemed to think I was implying something about her late husband.

It's not my fault he missed his bus. Butcher, he is a proper butcher. He's got a shop and everything. Well, no. Most things. He knows how to charge, I tell ya.

I'm all for grammar, but the line not to cross is vague at best, especially in terms of scripts and the like. The personal preference will always interfere. Especially mine.

R