"We Could Of..."

[sandyRoe]

How long would people need to use this, rather than "could have", before it becomes acceptable?

[Canary42]

When spoken it's the phonetic of the contraction could've so it duzzent matter ;-)

[KARL]

There are gazillions of examples to mention: Sickth (sixth), drorring (drawing), etc. in single words. Expressions also like "It is best for my husband and I to..." - separate and it becomes obviously wrong: "It is best for I to...."; "He may not have died last week/month/year if he had been wearing a seatbelt" - (instead of might) from which one might assume there is uncertainty as to whether he is dead or alive.

[elliemay1]

I wonder how people pronounce the word, 'pattern'. I always say it as, 'pat tern' but have heard it numerous times pronounced as, 'pat tren'

[jourdain2]

Never. It doesn't make sense. Same as you can't use the word 'their' for someone of doubtful sexuality. I know whereof I speak, my god-daughter is now my 'godson', sort of. Much as I love her/him, I couldn't use a plural pronoun for a single person - and 'it' isn't appropriate. It's tricky.

[Atheist]

I find 'Intregal' amusing. Also if the working man can pronounce 'Brewery', why can't he pronounce 'February'? (That might have been Bertrand Russell.)

[JimF]

^^ Feb-you-werry is bizarre to me, but not quite as bad as Wensdee, the day after Tuesday.

[Atheist]

Jim, I think they are both taking the easy way out; some things are difficult to wrap your tongue around; that's why language changes over time. I guess we oldsters have to accept these things.

[JimF]

Hmm, not sure about that. If people can manage the three syllables in Saturday, surely they can pronounce Wednesday correctly too.

[Mexican18]

My English master will be spinning!