DEAR HELOISE: What has happened to proper grammar usage and the proper pronunciation of American English? “Gonna” and “wanna” have replaced “going to” and “want to.” People use “different than” instead of “different from.” Words such as February, mischievous, veteran and temperature are constantly mispronounced by TV journalists, weather reporters and politicians.

Unfortunately, we are judged by our vocabulary when we speak, which makes people form instant impressions about our education, social class and intelligence. Many thanks for all your wonderful hints.

— Lori H., in California

Lori, I don’t know if proper grammar is still taught in school. It disturbs me, too, when I hear someone say “I’d have went” rather than “I’d have gone.” People have lost promotions and jobs because of improper English.

As one CEO of a very large corporation once told me, “Our employees represent this company, and we could never hire someone who uses terrible English. We want polished individuals who put their best foot forward.”

— Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: Recently, while eating out, I discovered that small bits of apples are a great topping on a green salad, in addition to grated carrots, avocado, tomato, broccoli and sliced olives. I can’t believe that I missed out on this treat for all of my life, and I feel as if I should share this with your readers. I follow your informative column in the Daily Freeman in Kingston, New York.

— Carl M., via email

DEAR HELOISE: I recently found out, weeks after the fact, that my close friend had died. The surviving family members apparently did not know who to contact or how to contact them. I would have loved to send condolences (and I will do so now) or maybe even attend the funeral, but I had no knowledge that my friend had died.

I have created a file on my computer that details what to do when I die and have sent it to my children. I’ve included specifics for my funeral and final resting place, but it also includes a list of friends in different cities who should be contacted, as well as their phone numbers.

I know that during a time of grief, my children will not know who to call (other than the obvious) or their phone numbers. I am healthy now, but I also know that if I were to get seriously sick, I would not think of this. We all die, so why not prepare for it at any age?

— Ann P., in Florence, South Carolina