AIN'T........ain't a word?

I can not count the number of times, when I was younger, that my mom told me "ain't" is not a word.  Over time, it in fact has developed into it's own word.  However, is it appropriate?

When you look up the word on dictionary.com, it states a definition: Nonstandard except in some dialects . am not; are not; is not.  It also notes: As a substitute for am not, is not,  and are not  in declarative sentences, ain't  is more common in uneducated speech than in educated.

Examples:

I ain't going anywhere.
She ain't say that.
I ain't thinking about him.

This suggests that the "correct" usage of ain't is saying am not, are not, or is not. People use this word in their everyday conversation. Should it be accepted as a spoken word of the "Standard English" language?  Does using this word classify you as being uneducated....?

Usage of "I" and "Me"

Distinguishing when to use "I" and when to use "me" is sometimes confusing when connecting them with another pronoun in a sentence. People assume that whenever connecting the two pronouns with and, you're supposed to use "and I."  For the longest, that is what I thought.

Common Phrases Heard:

She told Jane and I to walk to the store.
Gary bought basketball tickets for him and I.

I read a neat tip on knowing when to use what word.  When you omit the pronoun and conjunction word from the sentence, does it make sense? For example, when correcting the two sentences above, does this make sense?

She told Jane and I to walk to the store. Correct Way:  She told Jane and me to walk to the store.

Gary bought basketball tickets for him and I. Correct Way: Gary bought basketball tickets for him and me.

Ending Sentences with Prepositions

Rule: Prepositions should NOT end a sentence!

Preposition: A word that usually precedes a noun or pronoun and expresses relationships between entities.

Examples: 
on, under, above, aside, by, after, etc.

How many people do you hear or see end their sentences, when speaking and writing, with a preposition?  How about when you speak?  Why is it so wrong when we still understand the sentences clearly?  Does anyone still follow this rule?


Incorrect Phrases:

Where are you at?
Who did you sit by?

It just takes entirely too much time to not end some sentences with a preposition, right?  I mean who says stuff like, "By whom did you sit?"

"I feel you"

Feeling someone, in literal terms, would mean to be aware of something or someone by physically touching them. 

On the other hand, In this context, it means to genuinely understand someone's point of view.  When a statement is being made or a story is being told that you can relate to, one would casually say, "I feel you."  It is generated because the person on the other end "feels" them, from the heart.

For example:

Person #1:  "I just can't seem to find a guy who knows how to treat me."

Person #2:  "I feel you.  Every guy that I have talked to has been a complete jerk."

Person #1:  "What's in the water?"

Before Emojis, there were Emoticons

Before Emojis were introduced, which are animated pictures characters, people started with Emoticons.

Emoticons:  A representation of a facial expression such as :-) (representing a smile), formed by various combinations of keyboard characters and used in electronic communications to convey the writer's feelings or intended tone.

Here are a few!

:-) = happy
;-) = wink
:-( = sad
:'-( = tear
:-/ = Confused or upset
>_< = angry
-__- = stale face
O_o= Weird/ In shock

Internet & Texting Lingo (Feel free to add ones I've missed)

A new language has come about to communicate in a faster, more clever and abbreviated way.  Anyone can start a trend within this lingo; If people like it, it will become popular! On social networks and through texting, people don't wish to be formal.   Texting and social networks are a break from the academic world.  Here's a list of common abbreviations that you may see online or maybe in a text from of friend. (These are ones that I am familiar with.  I am certain that I have missed several)

p.s. If you see this, don't be alarmed that people just don't know how to spell.

lol= laugh out loud
lmbo= laughing my butt off
omg= oh my goodness
jk= just kidding
kk= okay
ttyl= talk to you later
brb= be right back
lyk/ lmk= let you/ me know
idk= I don't know
ur= your
smh= shaking my head
b4= before
wth= what the hell/ heck
gtfo= get the f*** on
ctfu= cracking the f*** up
ne= any

"Like"

Like has navigated away from its original definition, and has grown into an interjection.  It developed from the definition of relating things that are similar to or being compared to one another. It is also used when something is being referenced.  However today, It is normally used (informally as well as formally) several times in one sentence and is often subconscious. 

Example: Video Clip Some may think of this as annoying.....hmmm...

Note: Just omit the likes from the sentences.  Then, you'll be able to understand!

Improper usage of Homonyms!!!

EVERYDAY on Facebook or Twitter, I recognize the usage of improper homonyms.  Does the correct usage not apply to social networks? Or, do people just subconsciously use these words......every.....day?

Homonym: Two words that have the same pronunciation, but different meanings and/ or spelling.

Formal Examples

They're- Contraction of the words "they are"
There- Usually refers to a place or a clause
Their- Belonging to or associated with the people or things previously mentioned or easily identified.

You're- Contraction of the words "you are"
Your- Belonging to or associated with a person


Real examples of improper usage (Pictures added)

Split Infinitive

Rule:  Do NOT split an infinitive!  What's an infinitive? According to dictionary.com it is the basic form of a verb without an inflection binding it to a particular subject or tense. So, if you split the infinitive, that means that you're placing a word or phrase in between the participle "to" and the bare infinitive.

Why is this so big of a deal?  People do it all the time! Right?

"...It is of no consequence whether he decides to go quickly or to quickly go or quickly to go. The important thing is that he should go at once.” - George Benard Shaw, Irish Playwright