One thing that is nails on chalkboard to me is when I hear my fellow nurses use double negatives and other blatant grammar mistakes. I'm speaking of English as a first language, domestically born and raised people.
I feel as this detracts from the professional image of nursing. We are supposed to be educated professionals. Poor grammar makes nursing look like a blue collar trade to those who are educated, such as our physicians and many members of the public.
Let me clarify that I don't harshly judge the intelligence or moral character of people with poor grammar. But, I feel strongly that nurses should project an image of being educated professionals in our speech and demeanor. Thanks for reading.
While "orientate" is grammatically correct, it just sounds wrong here in the US (maybe those in the UK feel the same way about the word "schedule" or "advertisement"?).
Here in the US, those who say "orientate" are likely to use the (non)word "conversate".
By the way, I love this thread...grammar (as fluid as it is over the centuries) is important, damn it!
So funny that other ppl mentally correct grammer when spoken to the way that I do...I love it! "Orientate" has always bothered me as well. I feel ya on this.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
All right, I deserve to be heckled. I am an ethnocentric boob. I honestly had no idea it was used in different countries. I just thought it was bad grammar.
But please, anonymous private messages to chastise me? Grow up and chastise me in your real usernames please!
Not only is it grammatically correct but also has regional usage and can hold different connotations.
I orientated a new grad yesterday.
I'm oriented to time, place and person.
To poke fun at this is really no different than teasing someone for having a southern drawl. It's offensive and serves no purpose. This thread should be closed.
while "orientate" is grammatically correct, it just sounds wrong here in the us (maybe those in the uk feel the same way about the word "schedule" or "advertisement"?).
here in the us, those who say "orientate" are likely to use the (non)word "conversate".
by the way, i love this thread...grammar (as fluid as it is over the centuries) is important, damn it!
um, no, they are not. orientated is a legitimate word, "conversated" is not (you can look it up, but in the definition it is listed as "slang." my firefox spellchecker accepts orientated but not "conversated," and personally, i know the difference between the two, and do not use the word "conversate." so, don't assume that everyone is ignorant.
sounding right or not has no bearing on its legitimacy.
i
systoly
1,756 Posts
Yep, the best ever.