I’d like to express my deepest sympathies to anyone currently suffering from a stomach bug. It’s day #4 for me and I’m ready to start trading the less favorable parts of my soul for a few nausea-free minutes.
As I was pouting in front of the television this morning, I decided to see what grammar apps were available for my phone.
Disclaimer: Please leave now if, after reading that last sentence, you did any of the following: a) rolled your eyes, b) called me a nerd, or c) judged me for pouting in front of the television.
The first app in the search results was called “Practice English Grammar – 1.” I expanded the description of the app and I was horrified at what I saw:
ARE YOU [BLEEP]ING KIDDING ME?
Nowns are covered in this app? Nowns? And what the hell does “Question with question words” mean?
So, here is the complete list of topics covered:
Did you notice that “spelling” is not a topic covered? Good thing–I’d hate for the makers of this app to look like complete morons.
Grammaniac 
I adore you! I’m so glad I am not the only one who takes notice and is annoyed by these things. Your posts make me smile.
I agree, this blog always helps me smile.
And what about the spelling of practice? When it’s a verb it should be ‘practise’ plus they’ve used the present participle incorrectly. Although I notice the spell checker on my iPad tells me practise is incorrect. Maybe this is an Aussie/Brit thing?
That was the first thing that caught my eye.
In American English, there’s only one spelling of “practice.”
Merriam-Webster lists lists it as a variant spelling of the verb, but Oxford lists it as the main spelling of the verb. So with “practise” being a variant spelling in the American English context, “practice” as a verb is still correct since this is the main spelling listed in the dictionary.
Seems to be an English grammar guide written by a non-English speaker. I’m totally tempted to find the app and see what else it says about “nowns”!
Um, and isn’t it supposed to be “practising”?
“Nowns” … Isn’t that when you use a noun in the “now” tense? 😐
this is funny. :))
Love your blog! The first thing I noticed was the mess up in the second paragraph, “…this app helps you practicing the basic usage of English grammar…”. However, the “nown” thing takes the cake lol.