Is it because the've only heard "could've" and misinterpret the spelling?Do n't these people read?...This is a quite recent phenomenon and does not bode well for the education system.
2006-12-20 22:59:28 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"What's her age?" is a correct English question, and I think people would answer it the same way as "How old is she?" However, "How old is she?" is much more common for English speakers (at least of my dialect of English) to say. I assume the answer to the question was something like "She is 20 years old." If you ask a native speaker "What's her age?", and they give a complete sentence answer, the answer could be something like, "Her age is 20." So it's not exactly the same. Not knowing your students (and especially not knowing their level), I'm not sure how to advise you. I'd probably mark it right.
2016-05-23 04:30:25 · answer #1 · answered by Ivette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, many DO say that! It's just an incorrect way of saying "could have", or "could've", which is quite acceptable. The "could OF, with emphasis on the "of" just "lazy" English!
"Should of" is another one that gets thrown around.
One 'word thing' that really annoys me is people who "learn off"
when they should "learn from".
Yep!! I'm getting pedantic too!!
2006-12-21 00:23:48 · answer #2 · answered by cloud43 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What they mean is "could have", "could of" is however correct eg
" I could of course come another day"
if "could of" is used instead of could have, then it is incorrect.
It is similar to some people being confused by the meaning of "brought" and "bought" and are unable to distinguish between the two,
It is a shame that the person who thought that it was ok because the language is evolving such things are ok, bollocks I say to that fellow
2006-12-20 23:44:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you're mis-hearing what they are saying. "could've" and "could of" are very similar. It would be different if they wrote it because then you'd know for sure. I've NEVER heard anyone say that and doubt if it has anything to do with the "education" system.
2006-12-20 23:05:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You've hit the nail on the head friend. I don't think it's particularly recent though. I also hate 'bored of....' instead of 'bored with.....'
Or are we just pedantic old gits?
PS It's acceptabe to SAY could of or could've because they both sound the same. It's when it comes to writing it that the problem starts.
2006-12-20 23:07:02 · answer #5 · answered by lou b 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's called "elision," and it happens in English spoken language all the time. It's not incorrect, as in "I could've been a contender." It's like the word "don't" in your question.
However, do not spell "could've" as "could of." It is not correct.
2006-12-21 02:04:35 · answer #6 · answered by jcboyle 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is more of an articulation slur and was a problem when I was in high school 30 years ago
2006-12-20 23:40:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're just not very literate, or articulate.
You will see on this site that a majority of people don't know the difference between 'their / there', 'your / you're', and the spelling is truly appalling.
2006-12-20 23:06:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I must admit, I do that myself. I would never write it though. With me, it's just laziness of speech, which a lot of people are responsible for. I tend to say, "Could-uv" because of my accent.
2006-12-20 23:10:40 · answer #9 · answered by Iluv24 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kids in school say 'should of' 'would of' etc., all the time. They also write it! They just don't listen or CARE. They also say 'axe' instead of 'ask'. Nothing can be done about it, I fear!.
2006-12-20 23:33:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋