spelling and grammar

Post by **kensloft** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:27 pm

My solution to the problem when I am unsure of something is to go to the address bar and type in the word dictionary. One pops up and I can recctify the problem if need be. Saves time. Makes me look smart and I don't have to worry about people getting the wrong information from me.

This is my fave... http://dictionary.reference.com/

A few more seconds and this thread is history because you've fixed up your mistakes and everyone will no what you mean. Now this thread has introduced a new word into the dilemma... dictionary.

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:31 pm

kensloft wrote: My solution to the problem when I am unsure of something is to go to the address bar and type in the word dictionary. One pops up and I can recctify the problem if need be. Saves time. Makes me look smart and I don't have to worry about people getting the wrong information from me.

This is my fave... http://dictionary.reference.com/

A few more seconds and this thread is history because you've fixed up your mistakes and everyone will no what you mean. Now this thread has introduced a new word into the dilemma... dictionary.

ack *tosses hands up in the air in defeat and runs away in fear"

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:43 pm

kensloft wrote: you've fixed up your mistakes and everyone will no what you mean. Now this thread has introduced a new word into the dilemma... dictionary.
know, i'm afraid i don't no what you mean.

:yh_bigsmi

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:07 pm

I would just like to say that I can spell. I can also type. It's just when I try and do both together things get difficult. If you are having to write every day or read a lot it is easy to keep up with spelling it becomes a habit. I think using forums like this is good practice-you can usually tell the typo errors as against straight spelling mistakes. The more you write the better the spelling gets. It's just practice and the realisation there is a problem. I find some posts annoying because of the bad spelling as well, but then you tend to rise to the level of those around you don't you? I suspect as those individuals post more and more their spelling will improve as it dawns on them it's crap.

My problem is handwriting. I am so used to taking scribbling notes by hand and writing out what I have to at leisure I have lost the ability to write legibly at speed. All my reports etc are done on computer so my typing is improving with practice. My lousy handwriting doesn't matter for business my use of language matters a great deal.

Unfortunately I have to take written exams of a kind I haven't done since student days. I find it annoying. These are professional exams and yet they are set in a manner that is no longer in daily use and I find I am having to take time out studying to practice my handwriting.

Not relevant but I felt like a wee rant.

posted by anastrophe

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!

There are now quite marked differences between proper english and american english. English has always been an incredibly eclectic language that's one of the reasons it has become so pervasive, meanings change all the time. Just look at films from the 50's and 60's even in thirty years the changes are quite noticeable. Just think of all the words we now take for granted that didn't exist. Texting is makingbthings worse, that's almost a new language in itself

911 · Post by **911** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:12 pm

anastrophe wrote: "I work with someone, in a small room, who doesn't have a clue [...]

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

:yh_bigsmi

Oh, Lawd, did I do that?

:wah:

Post by **kensloft** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:21 pm

anastrophe wrote: know, i'm afraid i don't no what you mean.

:yh_bigsmi
Thets cuz youse cants spells so good with you're fingers. Youse gots to use you're head or like all bad spelers you will meet defeet..

Post by **kensloft** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 2:01 pm

gmc wrote: There are now quite marked differences between proper english and american english. English has always been an incredibly eclectic language that's one of the reasons it has become so pervasive, meanings change all the time. Just look at films from the 50's and 60's even in thirty years the changes are quite noticeable. Just think of all the words we now take for granted that didn't exist. Texting is makingbthings worse, that's almost a new language in itself
The difference is quite simple. It all comes down to that eclectic language that evolved under Elizabeth the first. Now the real question is... is it the English from Queen's that is proper English or the Queen's English? Ask any American and they will let you know that the Queen of England can't speak proper English, whereas the inhabitants of Queen's do.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:26 pm

sometimes acccurate spelling is a BAD thing....the ONLY time i ever got in trouble with the authorities, the FBI no less, i was 10 years old.i had written and mailed a scathing letter to the neighborhood "mean old witch", no threats, just essentially, in about a hundred words, called her a mean old witch! sending through the mail was a federal offense. so one night here come the FBI agents to our house, and asked me if i had written the letter...i said yes, and they told my Dad thst they had canvassed the neighborhood with my letter and everyone said that has to be _______because all the words were spelled right! oh yes, my Dad was proud of my spelling prowess as he took a switch to my butt! LOL ....that was my last flirtation with federal crime i tell you! sooooo... when you are about to rob the local bank be sure you mispell your note to the teller!

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:59 pm

Have you ever stopped to think when you see poor spelling, grammar, or punctuation, just how our school systems have failed us?

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 5:05 pm

I am still trying to grasp what the average spelling level is. I think, sometimes, that the alphabet can be to some like numbers are to others. An alien concept. It is more acceptable for someone to stink at math than spelling, for some reason.

I am a whacko when it comes to words. I play Scrabble by myself for entertainment. I don't expect other people to have the same vocabulary or English skills. I do shake my head sadly when it gets really bad, though. If an adult writes with less skill than my nine year old, for example.

Erinna1112 · Post by **Erinna1112** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:58 pm

Statistics from The Literacy Foundation state that 20% of adults in the United States are functionally illterate. Functional literacy is defined as the ability to read at a fifth-grade level or better. So one in five adults in this country cannot read at the level a ten-year-old should be able to manage.

Sad.

I'm a grammar purist; when I see "alot" or "alright", I cringe. Neither of those is ever correct - they are always, invariably, two-word phrases. When I see an apostrophe in a plural, I wince. Same for "their" in place of "there"; "your" where it should be "you're" and "it's" where "its" is required. Argh.

How about signs in stores that say, "Apples .99c a pound"? That means the apples are being advertised at less than a penny a pound. Nobody gets that when I ask for a pound of apples for a penny. Hey, I don't even ask for the hundredth of a cent back.

I was in a gift store several years ago, and happened to glance at the engraver's work table. On it was a platter on which he had engraved, "Your #1!" My first thought was, "Your number one WHAT???" I mentioned that it was spelled incorrectly; the engraver looked at the order and said, "No, it's not, that's what's here," and got annoyed with me when I mentioned that the simple fact that it was what was on the order didn't make it right.

The really distressing thing about this event is that the platter was a gift from a group of students to a teacher who was retiring.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:11 pm

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint letters & numbers correspond to each other & it goes like this:

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

And,

B-U-L-L-S-*-I-T

2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%

AND, look how far a*s kissing will take you.

A-*-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G

1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bulls*iT and A*s kissing that will put you over the top

Cars :driving:

Post by **kensloft** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:29 pm

cars wrote: From a strictly mathematical viewpoint letters & numbers correspond to each other & it goes like this:

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

And,

B-U-L-L-S-*-I-T

2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%

AND, look how far a*s kissing will take you.

A-*-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G

1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bulls*iT and A*s kissing that will put you over the top

Cars

This is so funny! :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:34 pm

That's numerology. Works every time.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:09 am

Cars...That is priceless. I'm gonna steal it if you don't mind!! (I will, of course, give you proper credit) :yh_hugs

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:25 am

Erinna1112 wrote:

I'm a grammar purist; when I see "alot" or "alright", I cringe. Neither of those is ever correct - they are always, invariably, two-word phrases. When I see an apostrophe in a plural, I wince. Same for "their" in place of "there"; "your" where it should be "you're" and "it's" where "its" is required. Argh.

Alright is pretty sticky.

Answers.com says the following:

USAGE NOTE Despite the appearance of the form alright in works of such well-known writers as Langston Hughes and James Joyce, the single word spelling has never been accepted as standard. This is peculiar, since similar fusions such as already and altogether have never raised any objections. The difference may lie in the fact that already and altogether became single words back in the Middle Ages, whereas alright has only been around for a little more than a century and was called out by language critics as a misspelling. Consequently, one who uses alright, especially in formal writing, runs the risk that readers may view it as an error or as the willful breaking of convention.

It is common usage now and seemingly should be accepted soon as its similar buddies have been already. I use it and am not likely to change that use having read this.

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:41 am

koan wrote: That's numerology. Works every time.
Sometimes it depends on which book, written by whom you would refer to as the basis for your answer.

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:46 am

koan wrote: Alright is pretty sticky.

Answers.com says the following:

It is common usage now and seemingly should be accepted soon as its similar buddies have been already. I use it and am not likely to change that use having read this.
I think everyone should use the "u" in words such as neighbour or rigour. Anyone that doesn't will be considered impure. Irregardless! That's how the language works. Dang you Elizabeth!!

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:32 am

posted by kensloft

The difference is quite simple. It all comes down to that eclectic language that evolved under Elizabeth the first. Now the real question is... is it the English from Queen's that is proper English or the Queen's English? Ask any American and they will let you know that the Queen of England can't speak proper English, whereas the inhabitants of Queen's do.

I think everyone should use the "u" in words such as neighbour or rigour. Anyone that doesn't will be considered impure. Irregardless! That's how the language works. Dang you Elizabeth!!

The language is changing all the time, pronounciation changes spelling, meanings change. 50 yeras after the king James version of the bible was published nobody talked like that any more. If language doesn't change or bring in new words it's dead. If you start tracing back the origin of many english words the sheer variety of sources is staggering being precious about it is pointless.

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:34 am

gmc wrote: posted by kensloft

The language is changing all the time, pronounciation changes spelling, meanings change. 50 yeras after the king James version of the bible was published nobody talked like that any more. If language doesn't change or bring in new words it's dead. If you start tracing back the origin of many english words the sheer variety of sources is staggering being precious about it is pointless.
That's why I blamed Elizabeth the First. She started it by getting all of the people under her control to find out and report the different words that were particular to specific regions of the world as it was known then. Upon their return to England the words and meanings were turned over to the lexicographers who then Anglicized the words. It's her fault.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:10 am

oh god i can't help it, i TRIED to stop myself....... "the right to BARE guns"....is that like NAKED gun?? :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_laugh

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:43 am

lol.. I thought that meant "Lolling" not laughing out loud. So I guess it's difficult to enforce spelling when we all use weird abbreviations constantly.

I'm an English teacher and, of course, it bothers me to see serious misspellings and poor grammar. (Especially double negatives! "I don't have nothing.")But I'm not perfect myself... between my arthritus and a MacIntosh keyboard that rarely has a functioning "Shift Key" I just do the best I can.

Besides, I don't want to be perceived as the "Spelling Police".

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:49 pm

lady cop wrote: oh god i can't help it, i TRIED to stop myself....... "the right to BARE guns"....is that like NAKED gun?? :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_laugh

I almost read that as the right to bare bumms

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:55 pm

kensloft wrote: I think everyone should use the "u" in words such as neighbour or rigour. Anyone that doesn't will be considered impure. Irregardless! That's how the language works. Dang you Elizabeth!!

"MAKE ME"

and btw is irregardless NOT really a word???

Its regardless or nothing never ir. Got it bossy boy?? hehehe even my mirriam webster does not recognice irregardless so nah!

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:42 pm

lady cop wrote: oh god i can't help it, i TRIED to stop myself....... "the right to BARE guns"....is that like NAKED gun?? :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_laugh
It's right to bare arms. T-shirt weather all year.

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:47 pm

minks wrote: "MAKE ME"

and btw is irregardless NOT really a word???

Its regardless or nothing never ir. Got it bossy boy?? hehehe even my mirriam webster does not recognice irregardless so nah!

irregardless

adv : regardless; a combination of irrespective and regardless sometimes used humorously

Webster? That old American as in Olde English.

David813 · Post by **David813** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:53 pm

I agree the bad spellers are annoying. Punctuation and capitalization is also a problem with some. I'm a one finger guy (TYPING that is!) and still try my best to make sure it's all correct.

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:41 pm

kensloft wrote: irregardless

adv : regardless; a combination of irrespective and regardless sometimes used humorously

Webster? That old American as in Olde English.

Yeah well Marriam sounds like a womans name and I am gonna take her and Websters advice over yours so pffftn

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:45 pm

David813 wrote: I agree the bad spellers are annoying. Punctuation and capitalization is also a problem with some. I'm a one finger guy (TYPING that is!) and still try my best to make sure it's all correct.

an therein lies the advantage your brain can think the words and slowly your finger can type it. Me It is just a matter of plain old going to fast like a bull through a china shop, a cat with it's tail on fire yada yada yada.

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:47 pm

And I like to start sentences with "but", "because", "or" and "and"! But not because I think it is a complete sentence. Because I like it.

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:54 pm

koan wrote: And I like to start sentences with "but", "because", "or" and "and"! But not because I think it is a complete sentence. Because I like it.

Oh You Rebel!!!!

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:59 pm

There and their, i don't know why but i've always had a mental block on those two words! :-5

Any good ways to remember which way to use them?

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:22 pm

Angie wrote: I so have to agree with Lon on this one. All of us, even you LC have made silly little spelling or grammar errors. It really is in the content of the message and sometimes we do get carried away. Even proof reading doesn't stop those mistakes, sometimes we can't see the "forest through the trees", but that doesn't mean the person making a comment should be condemned and sent into exile. Making people insecure with the way they type is probably not the intent of the forum. Understanding the meaning of the message is the point of communication.

By the way, have you visited any chat rooms lately and checked out the new text or slang there???? Makes all of us appear farty and aged!
Farty no no no say it's not so I don't wanna be farty.

Sadly I often catch myself typing the way I speak,

badly and loaded with slang ahahahahaha

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:34 pm

well i can't recall anyone being sent into exile, and clearly, from the response to this thread , it was/is worth discussing.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:37 pm

Angie wrote: By the way, have you visited any chat rooms lately and checked out the new text or slang there???? Makes all of us appear farty and aged!
I'd rather appear "farty" than not have a bloody clue what's being said!! :wah:

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:46 pm

lady cop wrote: well i can't recall anyone being sent into exile, and clearly, from the response to this thread , it was/is worth discussing.I no it sher did mee sum good, ladeecop. weren't nuthin werse than treyeing to reed all them bad replys. I deesided I coud yews sum he'p myself in thiss departmint. See how mutch gooder I rite?

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:29 pm

Angie wrote: I so have to agree with Lon on this one. All of us, even you LC have made silly little spelling or grammar errors. It really is in the content of the message and sometimes we do get carried away. Even proof reading doesn't stop those mistakes, sometimes we can't see the "forest through the trees", but that doesn't mean the person making a comment should be condemned and sent into exile. Making people insecure with the way they type is probably not the intent of the forum. Understanding the meaning of the message is the point of communication.

By the way, have you visited any chat rooms lately and checked out the new text or slang there???? Makes all of us appear farty and aged!
Hear! Hear!

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:58 pm

Farty?

That's what I think of THAT!

couldn't resist it, sorry

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:34 pm

koan wrote: Farty?

That's what I think of THAT!

couldn't resist it, sorry
:yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl

Erinna1112 · Post by **Erinna1112** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:13 pm

BabyRider wrote: I no it sher did mee sum good, ladeecop. weren't nuthin werse than treyeing to reed all them bad replys. I deesided I coud yews sum he'p myself in thiss departmint. See how mutch gooder I rite?
Who ARE you and what have you done with my sister??!?!?!??

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:32 pm

Erinna1112 wrote: Who ARE you and what have you done with my sister??!?!?!??

She's been taken prisoner by a troop of illiterates from a distant planet the name of which I can't spell.... :yh_alien

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:37 pm

BabyRider wrote:

She's been taken prisoner by a troop of illiterates from a distant planet the name of which I can't spell.... :yh_alienand i know who the leader of said planet is.....:yh_clown :yh_drool :yh_alien2

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:03 pm

lady cop wrote: and i know who the leader of said planet is.....:yh_clown :yh_drool :yh_alien2
It's Snooper Girl.

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:45 pm

lady cop wrote: and i know who the leader of said planet is.....:yh_clown :yh_drool :yh_alien2

m-i-c

k-e-y.......

ooo not leader of the band, dang it.... not only can't I spell I just can't read proper, and my turettes makes me just blurt it out without a chance to retract it all

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:51 pm

Which planet can't spell? Just so I don't go there one day by accident.

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:51 pm

koan wrote: Which planet can't spell? Just so I don't go there one day by accident.
The one where Snooper Girl rools.