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English Grammar

How important is the correct use of English grammar and punctuation to you on social networking sites? If you see something mis-spelt on Facebook are you itching to correct it, or does it not detract from the what you are reading?


Created By on 27/11/2012

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CaroleAH
23rd Jan 2017 10:59:38
1
Thanks for voting!
Think I need to visit Specsavers!!! The photo is of a red deer not a llama 😉
CaroleAH
23rd Jan 2017 10:49:41
1
Thanks for voting!
Lunch was good, thank-you, Lionel. I agree about text speak - I cannot bring myself to use it ........ even in text messages! Oh, and another pet hate - people who send emails which even if they are (carelessly) punctuated, are all in lower case letters - what is that all about; why punctuate and then not use capital letters? I rather think it is sheer laziness. I shall now jump off my soap-box and look at the latest photos in the Showcase. There's a very thoughtful-looking llama by SukieSue which warrants further investigation!
Dellboy56
21st Jan 2017 18:16:07
0
Thanks for voting!
Don't get me wrong, I am far from the sharpest knife in the box, but, recently at work I saw an application form for a vacancy from a college leaver for want of a better expresion.
I couldn't believe what I was looking at! The handwriting resembled the aftermath of a spider falling down an inkwell, little and no punctuation, but worst of all it contained text speak spelling!!
felipo1
22nd Dec 2016 11:33:41
1
Thanks for voting!
I'm trying to teach someone who has lived in the UK a few years English grammar. She wants to learn and is always eager to speak and write the correct word. But sometimes this can be an uphill battle when so many can't be bothered to use the correct word or phrase. My poor student!
HerefordAnn
13th Dec 2016 11:28:32 (Last activity: 13th Dec 2016 23:58:58)
2
Thanks for voting!
I must admit that I do like to see things written correctly, but then that is just me - not everyone is the same. I know that some people might be using some form of technology with corrective spelling or, as mentioned, someone might have some problem with using their hands. The thing that really irritates me is when someone says 'you know'. If I knew then they wouldn't be telling me in the first place 🙂
Response from KEITH_WL made on 13th Dec 2016 23:58:58
Picking up on MedicineMan's comment about arthritic hands, I have that problem too. I've started experimenting with voice-to-text software. Suggestions on good systems would be welcome.
Ingsdreamer
10th Apr 2016 09:05:47 (Last activity: 13th Dec 2016 15:23:28)
0
Thanks for voting!
I find the incorrect spelling or grammar distracts from what I am trying to read. I don't understand how people can understand sentences with errors in them, as the meaning can change dramatically if they aren't written correctly. Then extra time is necessary to work out which meaning is correct, in line with the associated text.
Response from jeanmark made on 20th May 2016 18:46:43
Grammatical and punctuation errors can occur when people are trying to concentrate on the content. However, the actual meaning is usually understood. Many years ago, when I was a staff nurse, I was reading a nurses report on her patient ( a child) it read "Returned from theatre after a tonsillectomy vomited mother coming up later". Still makes me smile but I did understand the meaning.

This was difficult to write as I was trying to concentrate on not making a grammatical error, have I succeeded?
Response from Gigi55 made on 20th May 2016 19:01:24
As far as I can tell you've succeeded jeanmark. By the way your content made me smile as well!
Response from jeanmark made on 20th May 2016 19:48:59
Glad it made you smile, it wouldn't have been funny if written correctly.
Response from Ingsdreamer made on 21st May 2016 04:46:06
With regards to "Spell Check" - Most computers, Laptops etc. have the setting to American dictionary. This can be changed to whichever language you wish to use - under Control Panel - Language.

It sometimes needs to be set a few times before it accepts the new instructions, but it can be done. Can save a lot of swearing and shouting 🙂
Response from medicineman made on 13th Dec 2016 11:11:23
One item you may like to consider is that we are 'senior surfers' many of whom may well have arthritic hands and struggle to reach across the keyboard, added to which some may not have been to school since 1950.

So spare a thought about being pedantic about grammar and spelling errors .
Response from jeanmark made on 13th Dec 2016 12:46:44
Well said medicineman.
Response from jeanmark made on 13th Dec 2016 15:23:28
I support you with that LittleMinx.
squashie
27th Nov 2016 22:07:54 (Last activity: 28th Nov 2016 20:08:35)
0
Thanks for voting!
I can't stand spelling mistakes or grammar and punctuation errors.
I loved English language when I was at school (many moons ago) and all that I was taught has stuck with me well over 50 years
Response from KEITH_WL made on 27th Nov 2016 23:24:26
I'm much the same. It's torture, isn't it?

Feel free to question anything I write that seems wrong, though you might consider using private chat. 🙂

Keith
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 28th Nov 2016 20:08:35
I'm the same, squashie, pedantic is my middle name!
[deleted]
28th Nov 2016 13:05:03 (Last activity: 28th Nov 2016 16:08:22)
1
Thanks for voting!
[deleted]
Response from jeanmark made on 28th Nov 2016 13:43:28
My thoughts exactly LittleMinx.
Response from jeanmark made on 28th Nov 2016 15:08:32
Well I have read many things written by professionals!

I think I have said earlier in this thread that punctuation isn't always necessary to understand what is being said - many years ago, when I was a staff nurse, I was reading a nurses report on her patient (a child) it read "Returned from theatre after a tonsillectomy vomited mother coming up later".
Response from jeanmark made on 28th Nov 2016 16:08:22
Totally agree.
Fruitcake13
25th Sep 2015 17:32:26 (Last activity: 8th Nov 2016 19:30:42)
1
Thanks for voting!
My pet hate applies anywhere, not just on social networking sites, and it's the random placing of apostrophes. Every time I see 'its' (when it should be 'it's') or 'apple's' when it should be 'apples' makes me grind my teeth. Punctuation marks seem to be randomly distributed at will by so many today. Oh, and don't get me started on general spelling!
Response from Aqua made on 30th Sep 2015 17:08:25
Spell check! Everything is system generated today fruitcake...apologies but, let it go and watch your BP lol...that's laugh out loud. I love technology!
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 30th Sep 2015 21:44:07
I use technology all the time, at work and at home, but I still spell correctly. Do people actually use 'spell check'?? Must admit I've never used 'spell check' ever. I suppose now that teachers don't bother correcting written spelling (so I've been told by family and friends anyway) no one learns how to spell correctly. I've also been told by family and friends that many teachers can't spell either. Wish I could just 'let it go', but it seems I can't! Lol!
Response from orchardlane made on 6th Jan 2016 10:43:35
Spell check only confirms that a word is correctly spelled. It does not check that the actual word is correctly used. (effect, affect; your, you're; etc.)
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 6th Jan 2016 19:55:53
Hi orchardlane, spell check would seem to be a bit pointless then. Having never used it, I wasn't aware of that. Maybe that would explain some of those incorrectly placed apostrophes then, lol!
Response from orchardlane made on 6th Jan 2016 20:24:38
Quite so
Response from SaSSy16 made on 12th Mar 2016 13:24:53
Oh, someone who despairs at the use of apostrophes, someone after my own heart.
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 13th Mar 2016 19:06:47
Hi SaSSy16, glad I'm not alone. 🙂
Response from itsme55 made on 15th Mar 2016 14:00:50
You are absolutely right. It is very irritating to see misuse of punctuation.
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 15th Mar 2016 19:03:40
Nice to know there's a few of us get maddened by it!
Response from jeanmark made on 20th May 2016 18:56:59
But predictive text can be fun.
Response from rc47 made on 8th Nov 2016 06:10:53
The problem with apostrophes is that the rules are very complex, especially with the possessive use. Try to explain to someone whose English is weak why it is correct to say "John's wife" [apostrophe before the s] but "James' wife" [apostrophe after the s]. Or why "the dog's bones" means one dog and several bones, but "the dogs' bone" means several dogs are sharing one bone! Even the difference between "its" and "it's" confuses so many.

I understand it but I've seen the glazed eyes in the faces of so many students when the topic comes up. Misuse may annoy people [like the Turkish takeaway near me whose sign blazes that they sell "pizza's, kebab's and burger's"!], but sometimes I wonder if we are the only language that uses apostrophes in this confusing way!
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 8th Nov 2016 16:40:38
I don't find the apostrophe rules complex at all. I was taught these rules at primary school, and as we got picked up on it if we ever got the rules wrong, we learned to get them right. I think the problem is that the schools don't teach the rules these days, probably because the teachers don't understand them! It's not that confusing....if the 's' is making a word plural it has no apostrophe, if it's used as a possessive (as in your example of 'John's wife' and 'James' wife') if the possessive word ends in an 's' you don't add another one. Simple! Well, you'd think so.... 🙂
Response from rc47 made on 8th Nov 2016 18:59:42
Everything is simple once you understand it. Bright students [of all ages] do pick it up after much practice but, when you see incorrect uses all over the place that contradict what you were taught maybe thirty years ago, people can be forgiven for their confusion. For example, do we include apostrophes in D.V.D.s, 100s, M.O.T.s, etc? I would suggest that most signs with these on add an apostrophe incorrectly, but it takes a brave customer to tell the shopkeeper or mechanic they have it wrong.

Also, i think you will find teachers do teach the use of the apostrophe. Have a look in a top junior classroom today and you are likely to see charts or pyramids with simplified rules on. But that's another problem: primary teachers necessarily simplify a complex rule for their younger children and it is difficult later to convince a teenager that there is more to it than they were taught in Year 5!
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 8th Nov 2016 19:30:42
Those misplaced apostrophes are my bugbear! You are absolutely right that I wouldn't be brave enough to tell the shopkeeper that he/she has got it wrong. I work (voluntarily) in an Oxfam bookshop and my manager (who is in her late twenties) is sick to death of me correcting her misplaced apostrophes! She thinks it doesn't matter, but we're a bookshop, we're all about words, so I think it does matter.

Your last point is really interesting. My generation were taught these rules when we were really young, and most of my generation get it right, so if we managed to understand it, then why on earth can't today's primary age children manage it. I'm sure they could if it was explained to them simply and clearly.

I take your point, though, about people seeing the incorrect usage of apostrophes and the confusion that might well cause.
orchardlane
6th Jan 2016 10:36:27 (Last activity: 8th Nov 2016 19:03:45)
0
Thanks for voting!
My grammar leaves a lot to be desired but I spent many agonising years getting to this level. I would hate to find that after all that effort modern society is now telling me it doesn't matter.
Why is good grammar seen to be at odds with creativity? They coexisted very well in the past.
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 6th Jan 2016 19:58:52
Exactly!
Response from Mels made on 8th Nov 2016 10:58:23
I run creativity workshops and, honestly, I don't believe good grammar is at odds with creative flow but a fair number of people find that it gets in the way in the early stages - especially with creative writing. Often a brilliant idea can get bogged down as we spend too much time on the minutiae and let the idea drift off.

Creative juices need to flow and you can sweat the small stuff later, so to speak - that sounds really simple in theory but, as I have said, many do tend to fret over it.
Response from rc47 made on 8th Nov 2016 19:03:45
I agree completely, Megs, and I have taught Creative Writing for years too. I encourage my students to proof read afterwards and, if necessary, to get someone else to do it too. But some really want to correct as they go along and this takes time.
wpshark
28th Feb 2016 23:03:26 (Last activity: 8th Nov 2016 17:42:05)
0
Thanks for voting!
I have been married to an English teacher for 38 yrs and I also have numerous qualifications in TEFL/TESOL etc etc .
I absolutely hate the way that English is murdered daily in the UK. There are so few places one can go where it is properly spoken these days and even less where it is used correctly.
Mr Higgins in My Fair Lady was oh so right...Why can't the English each their children how to speak?
If WE do nothing about it...... who will??
Chinglish etc is being accepted as a new dialect....I ask you!
I can't understand a word people from Glasgow or Fife say. Even Brummies and Newcastle.....is that English?
Response from Misschevious 13 made on 19th Mar 2016 13:38:04
Yes, we speak English in Glasgow, it's the dialect and accent you don't understand and we don't all speak the same way. I guess it's the same for Geordies, Brummies, etc. Nothing like a Cockney to keep you guessing of course
Response from jeanmark made on 20th May 2016 18:52:35
Agree Misschevious 13, my father was Glaswegian and my mother broad Norfolk and people expected me to speak correct english!
Response from jeanmark made on 20th May 2016 19:59:10
Wpshark, when I was a very young student nurse (with a Norfolk accent) I was sent to help on the private ward. Even after all these years I still recall the hurt and pain I felt when a patient refused to be nursed by me because I was 'common'. I was speaking with the same accent as my teachers who had taught me english!
Response from Iancw12 made on 6th Nov 2016 12:12:51
I wonder if it's even imaginable to hear a conversation between two people who use grammatically perfect English.
Response from spedders made on 8th Nov 2016 07:13:34
It is said that Newcastle (well Northumbrian) is the purest version of English language there is. It is closer to the original English language than anywhere else in the country. Everywhere else speaks a bastardised version wholly varied by external influences. Just because it is not 'The Queen's English' spoken with received pronuciation does not make it a lesser language.

It is, I believe, accepted that people living now would not understand the language, usage and nuancing that was used 150 years ago even. That just shows how alive and vibrant our English language is. We shouldn't try to tie it down with rules and regulations (while they do help us to understand the language now)
Response from rc47 made on 8th Nov 2016 09:36:55
"It is said"? By Geordies, I guess! 😉

Not sure what you mean by "the original English language" - do you mean Celtic? In which case Welsh and Gaelic are closer. Do you mean Anglo-Saxon? But few of them reached Northumberland. Possibly Norse as those Vikings desolated the north east coast. Just goes to show that the organic nature of English you referred to in your last paragraph means any attempt to capture it and prevent change is doomed to fail.
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 8th Nov 2016 17:42:05
Apparently, the purest vowel sounds in the UK are spoken by those from Inverness in Scotland.
Georgie Girl
6th Nov 2016 12:29:11 (Last activity: 8th Nov 2016 07:03:14)
1
Thanks for voting!
Way I divint naa what ya takern aboot man!
Response from Ariadne made on 6th Nov 2016 13:02:35
Thanks G.G at last someone with a sense of humour !!!! I have just laughed my socks off ,
Don't thee push off ,or i'le be reigt mad, withee
Response from spedders made on 8th Nov 2016 07:03:14
Yee mus' come fra Sooth o the river, hinny, aa divvent knaa what yee're taalking aboot neither.
Ariadne
6th Nov 2016 12:17:52 (Last activity: 6th Nov 2016 13:15:31)
0
Thanks for voting!
Just read and enjoy S.S. Editor ... Perfection is a very rare commodity !!!
Response from jeanymay made on 6th Nov 2016 12:46:36
When I use my Kindle to type the text is full of errors due to predictive text, and the fact that the screen is so small I cannot see what I am writing, so I can't correct it...basically it puts what it guesses I am about to say/write...seem to remember having a relationship like that !!.

If you come across one of my posts which make little sense then please don't think I've been at the cooking sherry.

It's not so much my written text that annoys me, but my Yorkshire accent ! I hate it, but when I try to lose it I sound sooo stupid.
Response from Ariadne made on 6th Nov 2016 12:55:34
Now JM just think about wot yerv ritten ,,'ow do we know wot' yer accent is ?? anyway who cares ???
Response from jeanymay made on 6th Nov 2016 12:59:11
ha ha
Response from jeanmark made on 6th Nov 2016 13:15:31
So true Ariadne.
dynamo
16th Jul 2016 11:23:38 (Last activity: 6th Nov 2016 12:10:06)
1
Thanks for voting!
My pet hate is "Can I get..."; whatever happened to "May I have...please"?
Response from Iancw12 made on 6th Nov 2016 12:10:06
May and can are two entirely different verbs....might is another that is wrongly used.
[deleted]
16th Jul 2016 23:03:57 (Last activity: 17th Jul 2016 22:50:09)
2
Thanks for voting!
[deleted]
Response from jeanmark made on 17th Jul 2016 13:17:38
Interestingly Lionel I did my nurse training in a hospital that was at the time in Lincolnshire, by the time I arrived in Oxford people thought I was either South African or Australian but at least my speech had become a little more refined!
Response from jeanmark made on 17th Jul 2016 13:57:03
I agree with that, my great nephews and nieces have no sign of an accent although the rest of my family do. My husband finds it amusing that when I return to my roots I return to my accent!
Response from georgesmum made on 17th Jul 2016 18:42:24
When I visit or speak to old friends or relatives from my native Black Country I notice that I slip back to the accent and my son has often commented on it too. I guess it must happen naturally without us realising it!
However, getting back to the subject......I get quite irritated when I spot spelling or grammatical mistakes whilst reading books!
Response from georgesmum made on 17th Jul 2016 22:50:09
Lionel , Blackheath is "proper" Black Country....I'm from Walsall so we'm a bit posher!
tearsofbloodinmyheart
5th Aug 2013 12:00:37 (Last activity: 20th May 2016 19:05:40)
1
Thanks for voting!
dialect is far more important than spoken 'BBC' english....before the BBC everyone spoke with an accent...BBC english is based on a typical 'home counties' accent, ie no accent what so ever, i can remember finding an old dictionary that had the 'correct ' (what!! who determines what is correct and what isn't?) pronunciation in brackets following each word, with practice everyone could then speak proper lol ...
Response from jeanmark made on 20th May 2016 19:05:40
I don't disagree with what you are saying but when the new Halifax advertisement featuring Top Cat aired for the first time I was convinced the young lady said "That's offal"
orchardlane
30th Nov 2015 14:53:10 (Last activity: 20th May 2016 18:48:56)
0
Thanks for voting!
Misuse of language is not the end of the world but it makes an interesting talking point. But sometimes the wrong, or even opposite, meaning is conveyed.

For example: I often wonder when people say things like "I don't know nothing" or "can I do ...." (when asking permission) if they realise what they have said.
You could go on for a long time with similar examples. It would be interesting to know fellow surfers' favourites.

E&OE!
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 6th Jan 2016 20:08:45
Your 'can I do....' comment made me laugh. My father used to correct me all the time for that when I was a child. He would say, 'Yes, you physically 'can' do that, but are you actually asking for permission? If you are, then you should say 'May I....'
Response from orchardlane made on 6th Jan 2016 20:21:28
Rings a bell with me too. I am still doing it with my children and their children.
Response from Gigi55 made on 20th May 2016 16:15:03
I ain't and i aren't even gets my heckles up, even though I'm a foreigner, lol. Don't like it either when people say a apple instead of an apple.
Response from jeanmark made on 20th May 2016 18:48:56
Why do people say "I personally......" rather than "Personally, I.........".
sooz888
12th Oct 2015 13:45:32 (Last activity: 10th Apr 2016 08:59:20)
1
Thanks for voting!
I try hard not to be irritated by incorrect grammar, spelling & punctuation. I know that my own leaves much to be desired! However, I do love to chuckle over the offerings in 'Grammarly,'
Response from Ingsdreamer made on 10th Apr 2016 08:59:20
I tried using "Grammarly" once, but will never use it again. Its suggestions / corrections were incorrect in most cases and only increased my level of annoyance. I have a feeling they were
meant for use by Americans only, but can't even guarantee that. When using a computer for the first time, I always check what setting the spell-check or language it is set to. Invariably they are set for U.S.. I always change it to UK or Aus.
itsme55
15th Mar 2016 13:59:15 (Last activity: 15th Mar 2016 19:04:50)
2
Thanks for voting!
Yes correct use of English grammar and punctuation is very important. I dislike the use if small 'i' in SMS, whatsapp and emails.
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 15th Mar 2016 19:04:50
Couldn't agree more. 🙂
trianglebabs
18th Sep 2015 21:40:27 (Last activity: 28th Feb 2016 22:54:13)
0
Thanks for voting!
Has anyone else noticed that the word OUR, seems to have been replaced with ARE. This really annoys me, the Prime Minister and most of the MPs use it, Newsreaders, Fiona Bruce and many more. It doesn't sound right when someone refers to, are area, not, our area as it should be. Am I being picky.?
Response from Charlotte2014 made on 20th Sep 2015 21:19:15
Yes trianglebabs, I had noticed, but what annoys me more, especially on social media and in text messages, is the use of 'your' when it should be 'you're' or 'you are'. I like to think I'm fairly good at spelling/grammar, but when I try to diplomatically correct someone, they don't like it & carry on regardless. Our language is being 'dumbed down' - another expression I struggle with !
Response from trianglebabs made on 20th Sep 2015 21:36:11
Hi Charlotte2014. I don't seem to be able to find your reply.
Response from Charlotte2014 made on 20th Sep 2015 21:48:05
No, neither can I ! My reply said that I agreed with your comment, but what annoyed me more was the use of 'your' when it should be 'you are' or 'you're'. This is very commonplace in text messages or comments on social media, but if I try to correct the person, they don't like it and carry on regardless. Our English language is being 'dumbed down' - another expression I dislike.
Response from Angel48 made on 29th Jan 2016 12:29:14
I think perhaps if more people were "picky" about grammar it might improve again, while we older folk are still around to keep it going. I am truly appalled at some grammar I hear, even on the BBC! On our local radio several broadcasters add a "k" in something, nothing etc.
Response from wpshark made on 28th Feb 2016 22:54:13
Totally agree.
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