BLOG

Grammar rant underway (No!) ... it's under way

For some reason, the misuse of underway has become a pet peeve of mine in recent years. In fact, I think it's misused so often, it will be one of those words/phrases where the wrong way just becomes the norm and someone rewrites the rule because it's easier that way.

Basically, in almost all cases, if you use underway, you are wrong. As an adverb, which is the most often used form of it, it should be written as two words: under way. The project is under way. Construction on I-10 is under way. My scathing post on bad grammar is
under way.

But if you look at headlines on the internet, from Susie Snapple's twitter feed all the way up to CNN.com, nine times out of ten you'll see it used in its one word form: underway.

I have no idea why this bothers me so much. I'm sure now plans are under way to award me a few nerd points. Maybe several.

Anyway, click it for a lesson.

Like it? Share it. (Go ahead, we don’t mind.)