Grammar

[Dave Gray]

I have a stick up my ass when it comes to grammar.

There are certain things that I find particularly objectionable.  Atop that list is people who misuse "your" vs. "you're".  It's offensive to me that people don't care enough to learn it, especially because this is something that I learned in 3rd grade -- no lie.

If I know something is incorrect, I'm embarrassed when I do it by accident.  It's just something I care about.  My parents have always been good users of language and we openly discuss (and always have) some interesting intricacies of English, like "less" vs. "fewer" and how it's commonly misused.  I just think that proper use of language is important, and it's unfortunate when adults just give up.

Am I just being a snob?

To those of you that don't correctly use "your" vs. "you're" -- do you just not care?  Do you not understand it?  Were you never taught?  And if you do know, why do you continue to use it improperly?

[Buddhagirl]

Ugh. I do a lot of online dating. The grammar of the average person out there is abysmal. I can't figure out if it's just laziness or if they're actually that stupid, but it makes me weep for humanity. If I can't read the email, I delete it. I don't want to date a dumbass that can't properly use the English language. Particularly since I point out in my profile that I'm an English major. A minor mistake or a typo is one thing, but not using "your" and "you're" or "they're", "there", and "their" properly is pathetic.

The one that I really don't get  - When did the comma become a replacement for the period and actual sentences? I'll get 1 long "paragraph" with commas instead of a period and new sentences. It's weird. Can someone please tell me what the hell that's all about?

[Gabriel]

I take care to make sure my work e-mails and memos are written properly, but I don't pay much attention MB posts and similarly informal writings. I don't have time to proof read everything.

[CF DolFan]

I take care to make sure my work e-mails and memos are written properly, but I don't pay much attention MB posts and similarly informal writings. I don't have time to proof read everything.

I'm with you. Most of my posts are done rather quickly and I'm not a very good typist. I easily overlook "you're/your" or even mispelling or misusing "their" somtimes.  If I have to write an actual letter I am able to do a much better job as I look for those things.   

[Philly Fin Fan]

Dave- I'm with you. I hate when I get emails from customers with poor grammar. My biggest pet peeves are the mis-use of "your" and "you're" and also "their", "there", and "they're".

Believe it or not, I also see a lot of mis-use of "were", "we're" and "where".  This one makes no sense to me since they aren't even pronounced the same!

About the only time I ditch "grammar rules" is when I'm texting or chatting online with certain people. I use "text shorthand" for certain words then. (Although I know this bothers Dave, so I don't do it on the rare occasions when we chat).

[SportsChick]

I'm with you Dave (and with Philly's additions). I'm amazed at the e-mails I get from classmates, the grammar is downright awful.

I don't claim to be perfect in the grammar department, however, the use of your and you're is something that was taught very early in school.

[Sunstroke]

Jumping on top of the pile... I rarely correct people's grammar, but I catch every goof. The overwhelming decline of the English language in modern times is nothing short of depressing.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

If you're concerned about others grammar on an internet forum then get the stick out of your ass. 

While I do know the the proper usage if I stop and think about it. 

Eye due knot wren righting en cyber space if eye have good grandma.

[MaineDolFan]

I take care to make sure my work e-mails and memos are written properly, but I don't pay much attention MB posts and similarly informal writings. I don't have time to proof read everything.

Exactly.

My correspondence in "real life" needs to be spot on.  While you won't catch me saying "too" when it should be "to" while playing on line, I certainly might state that I make less mistakes than some.  Get it?  Less mistakes?  I kill me. 

It depends on the situation.  If I receive e-mail from an internal or external customer and it has more holes than swiss cheese that gets me a little.  On line?  I barely notice.  I want to understand the point behind the message versus how it was written. 

[JVides]

My sisters and I constantly complain about the grammar issues.  I remember receiving a memorandum from a superior once, in which he chided all of us underlings with the following:  "Mediocracy will not be tolerated!".  I called him immediately to ask if a "mediocracy" was a form of government I'd never heard of.

Like some of you, I detest the your/you're, were/where/we're, two/too/to.  I also am bothered by statements like "Me and her went to the store" rather than "She and I went to the store". 

I know that I will make the occasional mistake, and that's fine in an informal setting, but I do care about getting the basics down. (<---ended the sentence in a preposition, which I would never while writing formally)

[Tepop84]

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/05/12/99-grammar/

[Buddhagirl]

I think that my biggest issue is that people are flat out missing the basics. I don't expect perfection when writing online, but basic grammar should be natural for most adults.

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/05/12/99-grammar/

I'm not white...Of course, I think that entire site should actually be called "Stuff Midde-Classed Semi-Educated People Like". It reads like a commentary on the classes instead of the races in my opinion.

[bsfins]

As a frequent mass murderer of the english language...I'm sorry...On some of the stuff, I think it depends on how it's used.If you're reading an entire thread,letter,email,etc,etc. with "Your" instead of "You're " I think it's stupidity.I feel spell check is part of the problem,just because the spell checker catches it,doesn't mean it's right.

So I apologize for my horrible grammer...

[MaineDolFan]

I am much more "in tune" with how people communicate, verbally.  Certain things just drive me nuts. 

"I just assume you go home." 

"I used to agree with that position, I've done a 360.  I don't agree at all now." 

"All of the sudden the car hit the horse."

"Anyways, I'm going to tell my boss off tomorrow."

...I could keep going.


Edited for, ironically enough, horrible typos!

[JVides]

^^^Don't forget needing to get "untracked".  Love that one, especially in sports.

My sister once performed an evaluation of an employee, in which the employee wrote that one goal for the year would be to not "half-as" any work.  Sis had to explain that the term is to "half-ass", and that such term shouldn't go on an evaluation that would be reviewed by "important folks".