spelling and grammar

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:23 pm

i just have to comment about the spelling and grammar errors that are driving me batty. i do not mean to be the spelling police, and i am not talking about what are obviously typos, or regional differences, but some of what i see is so elementary...maybe others can contribute what they've noticed as well. some random observations...asking people's opinions is a poll, not a pole. hillary's maiden name is rodham. atlanta has a t after the a. and when i see a thread title mispelled it doesn't bode well for the rest of it.....more,,,,their means belonging to them, it is their car. there is as place, he is over there. they're is they are. here is a place, hear is to use one's ears. don't mean to sound like an english teacher, but i know i am not the only one noticing these things. one person claimed to have written a book and every other word in the post was spelled wrong. i hope they have a good proof-reader.another person claimed to be an 'intellectual' but spelled intellectual wrong LOL... i hope i haven't given offense.not my intent at all.any other contributions to the spelling madness? i think our credibility is affected by how we write, because that is our only method of communication here.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:26 pm

ladycop! :yh_rotfl

the same errors you mentioned caught my attention as well...I take as a personal test in self restraint. I wish we could get a spell check in the toolbar though. It might make life more bearable.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:28 pm

How about when people spell things wrong in the word games. Hello. The word is what it's all about!

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:34 pm

Can't miss the errors, very noticeable. You can learn alot from a persons writing.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:34 pm

It bugs me too LC, but unfortunately, some folks would be spending more time correcting their spelling than in posting. I would prefer they post their thoughts with poor spelling than to not post at all. What bothers me even more are the posts that make no sense because of an inability to structure a sentence.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:35 pm

When I am here in FG, I scroll through the new posts, open the ones that interest me, reply or not, and go back to the new posts...Now, I had JUST replied to a post, and when I was waiting for the next page to load, I noticed a few spelling errors and thought "Sheesh...this happens ALL the time." And when the new posts loaded, here's this thread. Too darn funny.

LC, don't worry!! You're not the only one who gets aggravated by all the spelling and grammar mistakes. It really does detract from the credibility of the poster if they can't tell the difference between their and they're. And your and you're.

Another one I've noticed...were. I've seen that word used for we're, and where on a number of occasions. Also wear is used for where. :-5

Yep. Drives me nuts, too. Maybe a forum for a daily spelling/grammar lesson? :yh_rotfl

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:36 pm

Like alot for a lot.

Der Wulf · Post by **Der Wulf** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:43 pm

lady cop wrote: i just have to comment about the spelling and grammar errors that are driving me batty. i do not mean to be the spelling police, and i am not talking about what are obviously typos, or regional differences, but some of what i see is so elementary...maybe others can contribute what they've noticed as well. some random observations...asking people's opinions is a poll, not a pole. hillary's maiden name is rodham. atlanta has a t after the a. and when i see a thread title mispelled it doesn't bode well for the rest of it.....more,,,,their means belonging to them, it is their car. there is as place, he is over there. they're is they are. here is a place, hear is to use one's ears. don't mean to sound like an english teacher, but i know i am not the only one noticing these things. one person claimed to have written a book and every other word in the post was spelled wrong. i hope they have a good proof-reader.another person claimed to be an 'intellectual' but spelled intellectual wrong LOL... i hope i haven't given offense.not my intent at all.any other contributions to the spelling madness? i think our credibility is affected by how we write, because that is our only method of communication here.THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU --Tis an awfully lot like finger nails scratching on a blackboard. I wish I could claim perfection. For longer posts, I compose in word, then paste. I join Koan in wishing for a simpler spell check.

:-6

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:11 pm

I have mentioned to people in the past, that they had made spelling errors. They became defensive & took my comment as an insult. You see it all the time, but the new people coming in are less head strung. :yh_glasse Should we be told when a mistake happens?

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:32 pm

personally i don't want to confront people over their spelling and grammar errors, i would only hope they would consider a thread title for more than 20 seconds, and edit themselves a bit. speaking of threads...WHY did we need six michael jackson threads? we didn't. and is it really necessary for one person to post 5 new threads in a matter of minutes? that's blitzing the board.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:35 pm

lady cop wrote: and is it really necessary for one person to post 6 new threads in an hour? that's blitzing the board.
Was that me? I think I did that the other day...Somebody stop me!!!! Auuugghhh!!!!

"Hi. My name is BabyRider and I'm a postaholic...." :yh_rotfl

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:13 pm

OK I TAKE THE FIFTH...!!

I know I'm a horrible speller. I truly try not to make mistakes. I will from this day forward copy all my posts into WORD and have them spell checked.

My fingers are faster than my brain most times. My work doesn't require correct spelling or puncuation (use lazy computer types). I will be very careful so not to anger LADYCOP, I wouldn't want to be pistol whipped into correcting my grammar.

minks · Post by **minks** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:14 pm

BabyRider wrote: Was that me? I think I did that the other day...Somebody stop me!!!! Auuugghhh!!!!

"Hi. My name is BabyRider and I'm a postaholic...." :yh_rotfl

Ouch what a thread... I guess I will have to pull up my socks and really keep an eye on the posting. I confess I am of the typo error group, I get going at a decent speed then when I make an error my whole rhythim is off. Then I really mess it up. I will try and do better. Secondly I am not an English major and I know my spelling reeks, reaks, wreaks of errors. I guess I will bring the dictionary along next time. I have to agree with Lon on this and now will be overly worried about my errors. Also the typos are by no means any indication of ones intellect. We do our best and our goal is to convey our message with the best spelling we can.

You know here in this city children are taught to convey messages by writing what is in their head and spelling comes later. Interestingly kids are digressing back to that technique when they jump on the computer and type the Eh how r u 2day kind of lingo. Sure does slow the flow of reading.

Side note, this post took me an exceptionally long time to type as I was really putting in my best effort to not have many errors.

Hopefully I can keep up with your spelling criterion to avoid further judgement of my intellegence.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:21 pm

Carla you know i wouldn't pistol whip you! you have too many deadly weapons! and i don't refer to typos. those are pretty obvious. maybe it's an important issue to me because every report i write is potentially a legal document, so i am extremely careful. something could be won or lost on the integrity of a report. other officers ask me to write their reports sometimes because writing just isn't their strong suit. i would hate to have some judge look at my affidavit and throw it in the circular file because it reads like somr third-grader wrote it! i've seen it happen,

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:24 pm

I think it is way better to get it out in this thread than to go around pointing out the errors in all the messages. It's a retentive problem for some (like me). I don't know that intelligence was ever equated with spelling. I certainly don't equate the two...yet I notice all the spelling mistakes and try to remind myself that it is my problem. It's nice to get it out of the system once in a while, though.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:27 pm

Minks has a good point..why aren't schoolkids learning to spell? in the real world of college and employment, spelling DOES count. and Minks, this wasn't about MY criteria, i said i'm not the spelling police, but i felt it was a valid topic. i knew some might take offense, but tried not to be offensive.

minks · Post by **minks** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:43 pm

lady cop wrote: Minks has a good point..why aren't schoolkids learning to spell? in the real world of college and employment, spelling DOES count. and Minks, this wasn't about MY criteria, i said i'm not the spelling police, but i felt it was a valid topic. i knew some might take offense, but tried not to be offensive.

Oh I understand ya. And freely admit I truly fail at spelling when I am getting going typing like I am on fire. I also know that when you are reading a post and there are spelling errors they truly hold up the flow of the reading and us tragically awful spellers I guess could be a little more careful ahahahaha Initially I was offended cause I catch myself all the time stuck with a spelling hurdle but then just fake it (not always my style you know

) But Then I have read work with horrific spelling and know the frustration, after all I have kids who learned or didn't learn in the lousy spelling system of the 90's

No offense taken, well taken but dropped

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:56 pm

i am so bad about this, that i have been known to call PBS ( EDUCATIONAL TV!) and tell them they are making spelling errors on their programming!

Der Wulf · Post by **Der Wulf** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:06 pm

lady cop wrote: i am so bad about this, that i have been known to call PBS ( EDUCATIONAL TV!) and tell them they are making spelling errors on their programming!

All right, before we burn LC at the stake, she IS right, and we all need improvement, as to her fixation, remember that her guy has been thousands of miles away for a v e r y l o n g p e r i o d o f t i m e. :yh_sad :yh_tired :yh_frustr

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:12 pm

Der Wulf wrote: All right, before we burn LC at the stake, she IS right, and we all need improvement, as to her fixation, remember that her guy has been thousands of miles away for a v e r y l o n g p e r i o d o f t i m e. :yh_sad :yh_tired :yh_frustr you think i might be missing something? sublimating as it were? :p

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:19 pm

Oh, come on AK. You've been online for a while and haven't posted here!

Hmmmm. Maybe I got her all wrong. Thought for sure she'd be in here like a dirty shirt :wah:

Der Wulf · Post by **Der Wulf** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:20 pm

lady cop wrote: you think i might be missing something? sublimating as it were? :p
See, there ya go with that spelling stuff, I would never have spelled it that way :sneaky:

NewRunner · Post by **NewRunner** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 11:02 pm

I just have to add my two cents' worth here. I always pick out the misspelled words in everything I read, be it a sign, a magazine, book, whatever. It really drives me crazy. After receiving a horribly butchered ad in the mail, I corrected each of the errors in red ink and mailed it back to the company, telling them that I would never even consider using them for any service if they weren't even responsible enough to proofread their ads before a mass mailing. I was just feeling b*tchy that day I guess.

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:37 am

lady cop wrote: and is it really necessary for one person to post 5 new threads in a matter of minutes? that's blitzing the board.
i don't get it. this is a garden for forums. we want lots of things to grow in our garden. if someone has five ideas/things/topics that they want to start new threads about, then what's wrong with that?

just so everyone's clear, there is no rule or policy against posting many threads - SO LONG AS THEY AREN'T SPAM!

the more the merrier. that's what forumgarden is about. i don't want anyone to feel shy about posting as many new threads as they want. if someone has a lot on their mind, then plant those seeds!

Post by **kensloft** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:55 am

no more spellig mitaches. I promess.

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:38 am

kensloft wrote: no more spellig mitaches. I promess.my most common misspellings are coudl and woudl. never used to let those through. but as i've gotten older, i've gotten lazier about correcting them. i type in excess of 70wpm, so going back for the occasion error just 'bums me out'.

oh, the lack of caps at the start of sentences, and lower case 'I' - an affectation that i now can't get out of.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:40 am

why can't we get a spell check?

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:46 am

koan wrote: why can't we get a spell check?
the forum software doesn't support it. it'd be nice, but spellchecking chews CPU, i'm not sure we want that overhead.

speaking only for myself, i hate spellcheckers. they can never understand the difference between know and no. first thing i turn off in any software that has a spellchecker is...well...do i have to SPELL IT OUT...?:yh_bigsmi

Post by **kensloft** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:48 am

koan wrote: why can't we get a spell check?
I don't know why can't we? The problem would then fall into homonyms. Jeez it'll go on forever. Actually, if I can make it out then I don't care about the mistakes. A spell check will make it easier.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 2:12 am

Well we don't want to lose CPU! Not sure what it means but it doesn't sound good. I leave it in the hands of the pros.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 2:17 am

"Engineer's" (two weeks ago, I couldn't even spell Engineer, now I are one) have always been notorious for being illiterate spellllers! (Sometimes bad "grammmmer" too)

Cars :driving:

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:12 am

There have been times I typed there instead of their, etc. and realized it afterwards. You know now I will be so self conscience that I'll go back and edit those mistakes. As long as I can understand what the person is saying, I can overlook poor spelling and grammar. It may drive me nuts, but I overlook it. I realize not everyone can spell, type, etc.

Beth · Post by **Beth** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:52 am

I usually type very fast and often my mind is far ahead of my hands in processing what I intend to communicate. Because of this, I often type "their", rather than "they're" as well as similar mistakes. I also type as I speak; if I had to write essays everytime I made a post, it would become too tedious and not worth my time. I am sure that, because of this, my intelligence may sometimes seem under par. I try to fix spelling mistakes, but some simply get by me or there are too many and I just leave it be. I also tend to make more spelling errors when I am distracted, say, I have a pressing matter or I am thinking of what I need to do soon.

So, I admit, I suck majorly at spelling. Oh well. Just part of who I am.

911 · Post by **911** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:45 am

Like Lady cop said spelling errors bother me, not typos. There and They're. . . .argghh. But, what is really my pet peeve is the use of 'a' and 'an'. IT'S 'AN' APPLE, YOU IDIOT! Whew, sorry, . . . now, that felt better. I work with someone, in a small room, that doesn't have a clue and I chew my knuckles when she talks. I want to correct her so bad but, I'm kinda fond of my face so I don't say anything. :-5

I have decided to stop complaining about the word 'historic' since I looked it up and I found out that either is correct, 'a historic site' or 'an historic site' (I prefer 'an historic site').

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:02 am

give em a calculator and they can no longer do manual basic math, give em spell check and they can no longer spell a word correctly on their own teee heee heee I am seeing a trend here, looks like laziness bwahh hawww hawww

r-e-c-e-i-v-e is the word that gives me the greatest grief, I stumble over that word time and time again, it truly interupts my lightning speed typing when I get to it. Grrrrrrrrrr

Ok whilst on this topic folks, what about people that speak with these errors, do you make the corrections then? How annoying is this to others? I agree with the a in place of an, that is annoying to hear and read, and please without being prejudice, how did those of the darker skin manage to fall into the mixing up ask and axe? I axe you this in all innocense as it makes me want to ask off my ears when I hear it hehehehe

Sorry take it as light mindless "minksisim" but if we are critical of spelling and typos, are we equally critical of the grammatical errors in speach and would we point it out? I for one would not as I know in our multicultural country, people are not going to "get it right" when they are from another nation, so I practice tolerance ... for now tee hee hee

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:22 am

911 wrote: I work with someone, in a small room, that doesn't have a clue and I chew my knuckles when she talks. I want to correct her so bad but, I'm kinda fond of my face so I don't say anything.
"I work with someone, in a small room, who doesn't have a clue [...]

"I want to correct her so badly [...]"

:yh_bigsmi

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:29 am

Antidisestablishmentarianism.

:D

And Minks, don't feel all alone, "receive" is one I always have to stop

and think about, too, even though I had "I before E except after C or

when sounded as "A" as in neighbor and weigh and sleigh" drummed

into my thick little grade school skull!!

I repeat:

:D

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:33 am

i'll freely admit, that it wasn't until about three years ago (i'm 45!) that i got down pat the correct spelling of 'their'. not confusing it with they're or there, but misspelling it as 'thier'.

how did i 'cure' myself of misspelling it? by telling myself that their is spelled "the" "ir".

makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

:yh_silly :yh_clown :yh_silly

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:33 am

valerie wrote: Antidisestablishmentarianism.

:D

And Minks, don't feel all alone, "receive" is one I always have to stop

and think about, too, even though I had "I before E except after C or

when sounded as "A" as in neighbor and weigh and sleigh" drummed

into my thick little grade school skull!!

I repeat:

:D
gawd do you think we need to join a support group for that hehehehe I do the same i before e except after c and still that word is a real stumper. All the others are ok.

ahahaha the english language is a challenge isn't it. Imagine being an adult and trying to learn it. One of my volunteer jobs is working with an Afghanastan family and both the husband and wife are taking ESL (English as a second language) and they have grammer questions that I can't even answer correctly because I have forgot, or they are so silly I have blocked out of my head hehehehehe It is almost embarassing as english is the only language I know

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:39 am

i would like to formally designate this topic the Rant About Spelling And Grammar Sandbox.

here, we can jump all over each other to our hearts content about bad spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, whatever. keep it here, and keep it out of the rest of the forum. it's a long established 'tradition' on the internet - USENET in particular - that spelling arguments are in poor taste, and in fact they disrupt the flow of conversation terribly. they distract and divert and digress quite masterly. if someone is truly using a word incorrectly within context, or making a truly gross faux pas ("fox paws"!), then contact them in a PM, don't mention it in the topic, generally, generally.

or I do i have to state it more pacifically?

:yh_rotfl

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:42 am

KOAN,

This is what the mighty CPU is.

CPU MEANING "CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT"

Abbreviation of central processing unit, and pronounced as separate letters. The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system.

On large machines, CPUs require one or more printed circuit boards. On personal computers and small workstations, the CPU is housed in a single chip called a microprocessor.

Two typical components of a CPU are:

The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.

The control unit, which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:51 am

anastrophe wrote: i would like to formally designate this topic the Rant About Spelling And Grammar Sandbox.

here, we can jump all over each other to our hearts content about bad spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, whatever. keep it here, and keep it out of the rest of the forum. it's a long established 'tradition' on the internet - USENET in particular - that spelling arguments are in poor taste, and in fact they disrupt the flow of conversation terribly. they distract and divert and digress quite masterly. if someone is truly using a word incorrectly within context, or making a truly gross faux pas ("fox paws"!), then contact them in a PM, don't mention it in the topic, generally, generally.

or I do i have to state it more pacifically?

:yh_rotfl

Killjoy hehehehe

well if you insist, it pacifically that way then what choice to we have.... hehehehehehehe :wah:

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:53 am

minks wrote: gawd do you think we need to join a support group for that hehehehe I do the same i before e except after c and still that word is a real stumper. All the others are ok.

ahahaha the english language is a challenge isn't it. Imagine being an adult and trying to learn it. One of my volunteer jobs is working with an Afghanastan family and both the husband and wife are taking ESL (English as a second language) and they have grammer questions that I can't even answer correctly because I have forgot, or they are so silly I have blocked out of my head hehehehehe It is almost embarassing as english is the only language I know

Hey, I'll join that group!!

I love the english language but challenge is the right word for it. Try explaining

all the words that are spelled the same, but are used in a different way or

don't sound alike when spoken. "Bow" meaning something you put on

top of a present OR something you put your arrow in!! Then there's

"bough" which is limb of a tree... "slew" versus "slough" the possibilities

are endless.

;)

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:53 am

CARLA wrote: CPU MEANING "CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT"

Abbreviation of central processing unit, and pronounced as separate letters.
You mean I can't call it a ka-pew?

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:56 am

Carla, you're a computer genius! ......and i am sooooooooo sorry i started this thread! Anastrophe, i never would have corrected anyone's spelling or grammar on the board or embarrassed anyone that way!

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:01 pm

valerie wrote: Hey, I'll join that group!!

I love the english language but challenge is the right word for it. Try explaining

all the words that are spelled the same, but are used in a different way or

don't sound alike when spoken. "Bow" meaning something you put on

top of a present OR something you put your arrow in!! Then there's

"bough" which is limb of a tree... "slew" versus "slough" the possibilities

are endless.

;)
and then there are the idioms. years and years ago, i worked in a film lab. mixed huge vats of chemicals - real nasty grunt work. a coworker was a russian emigre - this was back in the 1980's, before the soviet union had really opened up. gregory had been in the US a year or two, but was still struggling with the language, and most of all our propensity here for idiomatic speech. he'd quiz me constantly - "what you mean 'no sweat' about doing that work? am i sweating?" or "what 'piece of cake' is there party?" or "you said you were 'blasting down freeway' - did motor blow up?" or "why you say that girl is 'hot' - it's december!"

it was actually a lot of fun teaching him that stuff. it's taken for granted so much in day to day speech, but for foreign speakers it's almost like a *third* language they have to learn in addition to english!

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:03 pm

lady cop wrote: Carla, you're a computer genius! ......and i am sooooooooo sorry i started this thread! Anastrophe, i never would have corrected anyone's spelling or grammar on the board or embarrassed anyone that way!
no worries! as i said, we'll dish our spelling dirt here, it'll be great! (just try and explain THAT one to a russian immigrant - dish spelling dirt?????)

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:03 pm

lady cop wrote: Carla, you're a computer genius! ......and i am sooooooooo sorry i started this thread! Anastrophe, i never would have corrected anyone's spelling or grammar on the board or embarrassed anyone that way!

Nooooooooooooo LC don't be sorry

none of us are to frantic about it, it is an interesting topic really. Once we get it out in the open, start up a support group for our spelling issues, then move on to the support group that helps us get over the fact you pointed out our flaws, we will all be fine.

Ok LC don't be sorry honest it is all tongue in cheek, tongue now that is a tough word too.

yep we have too many words that sound the same and are spelled different, or spelled the same and sound different ie read and read. Same meaning different tense gawd how is that for confusing.

I read to my kids, but yesterday their dad read to them. Uh huh you tell me why that happens what is the rule for that one.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:04 pm

KOAN,

You mean I can't call it a ka-pew? Works for me kiddo

A Karenina · Post by **A Karenina** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:12 pm

koan wrote: Oh, come on AK. You've been online for a while and haven't posted here!

Hmmmm. Maybe I got her all wrong. Thought for sure she'd be in here like a dirty shirt :wah:
Hey baby

I was here, but I wasn't. I got a phone call and ended up talking rather than posting.

I have typos all the time. When I catch them, I edit my post to fix it, but there are some out there I didn't see.

As for proper grammar, I often cringe because I tend to write formally and I feel like I'm being a snob - especially when I structure a sentence that requires the word 'whom' rather than 'who'...

It's an issue in live conversations as well. I often have to start slanging my way through a conversation. If I don't, people become physically tense and careful...which kinda destroys the purpose of a conversation, for me anyway.

Yeah, it drives me nuts, and there are posts I won't wade through or reply to because of it...but then again, there are people who avoid my posts since I talk so much!

Perhaps this is just my hang up, 'pacifically'.