if I read this One. More. Time. ...

 

When I read Comments on You Tube, I keep seeing

would of

could of

should of

must of

        ... [long extended scream]

"Would of," "could of," "should of," and "must of" are NOT PHRASES.

The phrases are

would have

could have

should have

and

must have.

SO MANY people use "of" instead of "have."  It drives me....  Well - they probably don't read, and they hear the words, and in conversation when you're just hearing it and not seeing the words, "would have" can totally sound like "would of."

        Some people might characterize this as a "non-problem."  However, I do see preserving the integrity of our language as a worthy priority.

-30-