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You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Familiar? Yup, this is an extract from the song, “You Raise Me Up“, sung by Josh Groban. This post does not teach you to sing or interpret the song.

In English, the word “raise” should not be used with the preposition “up” because “raise” means increase or “up“. So there’s no need to add the preposition.

Examples:

• He was raised by a wealthy family. (√)
  He was raised up by a wealthy family. (X)
• Members raised a crucial point at the meeting. (√)
  Members raised up a crucial point at the meeting. (X)
• The rental was raised by 10% effective this month. (√)
  The rental was raised up by 10% effective this month. (X)

Take note that in songs and literary works (e.g.   poetry), composers and poets have the license to break all grammar rules.  Lucky people.

“Open” and “close” are used very often, but have you been using them correctly? I’m sure at one point or another, we have heard someone say the following:

• Open your shoes.
• Close the tap.

In the sentences above, both words are incorrectly used although the meaning is understood – well, at least WE understand them. Here’s how you should use the generic “open” and “close” for various items.

1. Open & close*: the door, windows, mouth
2. Turn on & off: the lights, television, tap/faucet
3. Switch on & off: the lights, television
4. Put on & take off: your shirt, shoes

*NOTE: You could also substitute “close” with “shut“.

So, if anyone tells you: “Open the TV, please“, get a screwdriver and open the back cover.

What you see in this post is not exactly standard English; it’s not colloquial English either. It’s the type of English which you could only get in Malaysia and Singapore.

 “1 day I go 2 climb a 3 to peep, but the couple saw me, so I panic and 4 down. The man rush out and want to 5 with me. I run until I fell 6 and throw up. So I go into 7-eleven and grab some 8 to throw at him. Then I took a 9 and try to stab at him.  10 God he run away. 10 I put the 9 back and pay for the 8 and left 7-eleven. Next day I call my boss and tell him I was 6. He said 5 tomorrow also no need to come back 4 work. He also told me to go climb a 3 and jump down! I don’t understand. I am so nice 2 him but I don’t know what he 1.”

(I got the above from a friend.)

What do you think that person was actually saying? Cool, huh? Writing a completely grammaticlly incorrect paragraph using numbers 1-10, and backwards!

I was at a fancy restaurant recently to celebrate Father’s Day. I took a stroll with my camera to the end of the premise and found lots of people lining up for three different ice-cream brands. Due to its popularity, the Haagan Daz section was the first to “go”. I saw this signage:

I think this is what the management wants to convey:

“The Haagan Daz ice cream refrigerator has an electrical failure. You are able to get more ice cream at the waffle counter beside the kindori stall. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

… another thing I’d like to point out:

“Dear valued customers…” (√)

Well, the management could be forgiven – it’s a Japanese restaurant.

There’s a big sale today, and you excitedly tell your mom that you can’t wait to go shopping to buy your favourite soft toy – Garfield – and you’re 25 years old. Your mom instantly says:

• You’re so childish. You’re a grown woman, but you still want to play with soft toys.

Notice the word in red? The correct word is “childlike”

• You’re so childlike. You’re a grown woman, but you still want to play with soft toys.

What’s the difference?

• childish (adj.) - behaving badly like a child would
• childlike (adj.) - having good qualities of a child (e.g.: innocence, easily excited, trusts easily etc.)

Examples:

1. His childish behaviour has caused him to lose his job when he shouted at his boss for not being treated fairly.
2. She’s so childlike; she believes anything you say without question.