A Pet Peeve

[Avid]

I notice errors from time to time - even in my own posts...

Good list.

 

[MoneyGuy]

It seems this is the best place for that.

No, it's not, for various reasons. I want a forum specifically for those discussions.

 

[Avid]

No, it's not, for various reasons. I want a forum specifically for those discussions.

I understand your reasoning, but you may start one in a more open area if you like. Even if one already exists, you will not hurt anything by doing that.

 

[FreeinChrist]

MOD HAT

Some clean up was done. Please address the topic and remember that non-Baptists may post in fellowship.

 

[Dylan Michael]

Does anyone know of a forum specifically for discussing the English language? Not ESL. I've found a few of those.

Maybe a general language forum would have one discussing the English language and all its ins and outs.

 

[standingtall]

Maybe a general language forum would have one discussing the English language and all its ins and outs.

Sounds like a good idea....as long as the discussions don't deteriorate into "why the King James English bible is superior to other Modern English versions".

 

[Bluelion]

It seems this is the best place for that.

Are you bothered that some older people use OLD ways rather than accept every corruption of our language that comes down the pike?

The FIRST English dictionary was written with the express purposed of preserving the language of the Bible. At that time, it would be the Geneva Bible or the Authorized King James Version.

We find that a totally different meaning is perceived by those who have no connection to the old use of our language. I see this reflected in sermons preached. Some old sermons I know of are very careful to be precise in the language so as NOT to lose the meaning of God's word.

Think if people were pointing out the grammar errors with say The Book of Mathew instead of listening to the message. In Fact much of the Bible is not in formal writing or what would be accepted to day. For one in formal writing you are not suppose to write in the passive voice, much of the Bible is written this way.

Many people who are complaining about not writing correctly are not doing it themselves. You can not speak in passive voice, you can not use I Me, You or speak of your self in first person. You can not use contractions but must write them out. Also using the same word over and over again is a no no, You must find many words to say the same thing.

Most people do not write this way because as a rule you have to spend twice as much time proof reading your paper as you spent writing it. It would take a person a half hour to do even a small post. Most people are on here for fun, and they do not want to write a formal report.

Most people here speak of God, if you are focus on grammar that is a worldly thing and you might just miss wisdom from God.

another group I forgot is those who English is a second third or fourth language. These people may not speak or write English so well but are very smart.

 

[contango]

I tend to overuse commas. I struggle with proper punctuation.

Would it be helpful to list some of the most common mistakes in grammar and spelling?

Such as:
There or their.
Where or were.
No or know.
They or them.
Seen or saw.
Who or whom.

Does anyone care to add to the list?

There are so many of them it's hard to know where to begin.

The ones that annoy me the most are there/their/they're and your/you're. Sometimes people mix are/our. What's particularly irritating is when people show no consistency, and expect readers to be able to make sense of the mangled English they couldn't be bothered to write correctly.

The ironic thing is when people don't speak English as their native language they typically appreciate being corrected, as they want to understand it better. When people speak English as their first (and only) language they are often very hostile to attempts to correct it, frequently showing an attitude of "its clear what im trying to say so dont tell me its not write" or similar.

 

[Dylan Michael]

I can't stand 'ur' and '4'.

 

[Avniel]

I said that I wasn't the greatest of spellers. I missed it because I didn't check the title as I did the rest of my post before I posted. Lesson learned. Thanks.

Yeah, I think you just need to relax. The reality is some people have a lot on their plate and they come here to blow of some steam and keep themselves occupied for awhile so they don't think about their own problems. Instead enjoy getting and giving advice also the great conversations. So if my spelling or grammar is poor it just means I didn't care enough to reread what I wrote because I am not getting a grade or paid for this.


Also once you learn latin the english lang is a easier to learn.

 

[twin1954]

The OP had nothing to do with formal writing, being graded or paid. It has to do with conversational writing.

I am probably naturally the most lazy man you could ever meet. I can easily sit and do nothing for long periods of time. But laziness is indicative of apathy. I was taught that if you are going to do something do it to the best of your ability. Though my abilities are meager I strive to always, in whatever I do, not to have to be ashamed to put my name on it.

If one doesn't care enough to put in a little effort why do it at all? The easy way is rarely, if ever, the best way. Why should I care to take the effort to read what is written by someone who doesn't care enough to take the effort to check their spelling and grammar? Occasional typos and grammatical errors are easily overlooked but it has become common practice to be too lazy to care about how we say things.

Right or wrong, how we speak is used as a gauge of our intelligence. We all tend too pay more attention to someone who uses proper grammar and spelling in their writing.

If you want to advocate for apathy and laziness then go ahead and write as though you don't care. But don't expect anyone to pay attention to you.

If you don't know how to write and speak correctly it is a curable condition for the most part. Except in my case of course.

No one here is looking for perfect but why should I give you any of my attention if you don't care enough to at least put in a minimum of attention to how you write.


To quote the great philosopher Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does."

 

[contango]

Yeah, I think you just need to relax. The reality is some people have a lot on their plate and they come here to blow of some steam and keep themselves occupied for awhile so they don't think about their own problems. Instead enjoy getting and giving advice also the great conversations. So if my spelling or grammar is poor it just means I didn't care enough to reread what I wrote because I am not getting a grade or paid for this.

Also once you learn latin the english lang is a easier to learn.

With respect, if you don't care enough about your post to express yourself clearly why do you expect anyone else to care enough about your post to read it?

 

[contango]

I can't stand 'ur' and '4'.

u got 2 no y ppl do that.

 

[MoneyGuy]

For people who don't care enough to practise good English usage, understand that we do judge you and your abilities. This will fall onto to deaf ears because they wouldn't even read this thread. I am far more likely to ignore those posts. Some here write long, rambling sentences and paragraphs. I won't read those.

I've been called a grammar Nazi, which is sort of a compliment. I happen to think how you present yourself is important.

Something else I tend to ignore is when people post in other colours. We get it; you're special and you need to let us know that what your write is more important than everyone else's prose. Those also get ignored.

I don't need perfection but at least make an effort.

 

[Avid]

... Right or wrong, how we speak is used as a gauge of our intelligence. We all tend too pay more attention to someone who uses proper grammar and spelling in their writing...

This is true. I make mistakes as does EVERYONE. I try to catch mine. I spend more than just a little time, and STILL miss a few things.

I never learned to type in the classic sense, but learned a good "hunt & peck" method while learning to my job on a computer. That was, maybe, the most complicated computer application used then, and maybe even now. It was tough to learn and remember all that complexity, and try to teach myself TYPING at the same time!

Some are things that have changed since I paid any attention to new books on that subject (the Dictionary I use to straighten out questions is about 60 years old.)

The degrading of our language has had many causes, though, and we are being treated to some in recent posts (humorous, though they be ) Some are just the way people use something that commonly means a specific thing. In time, the misuse of a word or phrase becomes the accepted norm. The same goes with spelling.

Example: "By and By" meant "Immediately" 3-4 centuries ago. I guess that people would say they would do something "by and by," when they wanted someone to stop pressing them for it. Then, "By and By" became "When I get around to it."

.

 

[standingtall]

The OP had nothing to do with formal writing, being graded or paid. It has to do with conversational writing.

I'm sure no one expects "term paper" writing in a forum; however, I've seen posts from grown adults that look like they're letting their 9 year old write the post for them.

 

[Avid]

...Also once you learn latin the english lang is a easier to learn.

There may be some disagreement on things here, but THIS is something I must AGREE with you concerning.

I began trying to do better in Grammar in about the 9th grade, and my English teacher suggested I take Latin. It was difficult, but Latin taught me so much about English, and even other languages.

 

[Bluelion]

The OP had nothing to do with formal writing, being graded or paid. It has to do with conversational writing.

I am probably naturally the most lazy man you could ever meet. I can easily sit and do nothing for long periods of time. But laziness is indicative of apathy. I was taught that if you are going to do something do it to the best of your ability. Though my abilities are meager I strive to always, in whatever I do, not to have to be ashamed to put my name on it.

If one doesn't care enough to put in a little effort why do it at all? The easy way is rarely, if ever, the best way. Why should I care to take the effort to read what is written by someone who doesn't care enough to take the effort to check their spelling and grammar? Occasional typos and grammatical errors are easily overlooked but it has become common practice to be too lazy to care about how we say things.

Right or wrong, how we speak is used as a gauge of our intelligence. We all tend too pay more attention to someone who uses proper grammar and spelling in their writing.

If you want to advocate for apathy and laziness then go ahead and write as though you don't care. But don't expect anyone to pay attention to you.

If you don't know how to write and speak correctly it is a curable condition for the most part. Except in my case of course.

No one here is looking for perfect but why should I give you any of my attention if you don't care enough to at least put in a minimum of attention to how you write.


To quote the great philosopher Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Wow how very unlike Christ. Well you are judged on how you judge others right.

I find people who judge based on superficial means often feel bad about themselves and are trying to make them self feel better.

Don't read my threads because I do not proof read. So I guess that solves that Good day

 

[Avniel]

With respect, if you don't care enough about your post to express yourself clearly why do you expect anyone else to care enough about your post to read it?

I think for me it comes from a place of confidence. I don't care if someone doesn't read my post or a group of people don't. What I communicate here is more so for my entertainment and that's about it. Rereading my 1st post here I meant to put of does that reflect my intelligence I highly doubt it, my economic status I highly doubt that as well(I can show you texts from people that are where I want to be). I think people take things so serious and are so exact prim and proper they don't get to relax.

When I go on a interview for a job I speak differently then I do when I am around my family. But when I am with my friends I feel the most comfortable and I will talk and relax.

If I have to spell check and reread for grammar I might as well get paid for it. I just feel unless you are paying someone or money is on the line you can't really tell anyone how they should communicate. If people were paid to post here then I would understand morally why it would bother you. However it's not like you are paying people to communicate in a way that you seem to feel appropriate.

I do understand you a little bit my father is Jamaican and he was raised in England for a time, the first and only black child at his school. He went and got his doctorate when I was in the 5th grade I read a book a week. My father's thing was speaking how you presented your words and gathered your thoughts. Now I will say this as far as education goes America doesn't communicate well with script or orally.

My gift has never been grammar and I have to constantly look over what I write, not to mention all the numbers, spreadsheets, fixed asset laws, ledgers, policy amendments, laws, case reviews....I want to type the first things that comes to my mind, and if that's a problem for you then don't read it. I am just going to write that off as being extra why care how I write? Why would I care how I write I am not getting paid nor do I gain anything other then minor entertainment and subpar conversations.

That to me is just being extra.

 

[Avniel]

There may be some disagreement on things here, but THIS is something I must AGREE with you concerning.

I began trying to do better in Grammar in about the 9th grade, and my English teacher suggested I take Latin. It was difficult, but Latin taught me so much about English, and even other languages.

I took latin for an entire summer and in college I think it is a good foundation to start with.