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User:Jnestorius/Underdepreciated solecisms

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Unqualifying "depending"

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"Depending" should explain a previously stated variance; it should not introduce variance into a thitherto absolute statement.

  • The journey takes 5 or 10 minutes depending on traffic. Correct.
  • The journey takes up to 10 minutes depending on traffic. Correct.
  • The journey takes as little as 10 minutes depending on traffic. Correct.
  • The journey may take 10 minutes depending on traffic. Correct. Context should establish the direction of variance, most likely "up to 10 minutes".
  • The journey takes 10 minutes depending on traffic. Incorrect. This could mean any of the above.

Misplaced contrastive stress in numbers

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Especially common when shops advertise a litany of sale prices.

  • I'm thirty-three and he's thirty-five. Correct.
  • I'm thirty-three and he's forty-three. Correct.
  • I'm thirty-three and he's forty-five. Incorrect. It should be I'm thirty-three and he's forty-five