What Happened ??

[mulligan]

to all the english majors we used to have here ?? The spelling, grammar, and syntax errors have reached epic proportions. For some reason (probably because I read a lot) these things pop out at me and ruin the credibility of posts.

[2BNTV]

Where has our english major, Boomer, gone to?

[tainsley]

to all the english majors we used to have here ?? The spelling, grammar, and syntax errors have reached epic proportions. For some reason (probably because I read a lot) these things pop out at me, and ruin the credibility of posts.

Hmmmm...check capitalization and proper punctuation!

[memason]

Where has our english major, Boomer, gone to?

I think she left with Tony...ha ha I surely miss those verbal acrobatics.

[graciegirl]

Boy Howdy.

Slow morning. Picking on each other?

Blanket apology to my high school English teacher; Mrs. Belcher. I remembered MOSt of what you taught me for a long time, but lately it's a little fuzzy.

[skyguy79]

engrish majors? Oui no knead no steenkeen' engrish magers,:rant-rave:

[KayakerNC]

engrish majors? Oui no knead no steenkeen' engrish magers,:rant-rave:

:mademyday: I LOVE that movie!

[ssmith]

...Agree I think she ran off with Tony!!!!

[Suzi]

For the most part, I think the thought goes from our brain to our fingertips and the computer keyboard. I rather like that....it appears to be an honest response to a post rather than a "formal composition" of words that may have lost the original intent of the thought. I hope we aren't being tested here or graded for composition.

[Uptown Girl]

I was an art major... and I visualize as I write. Sometimes my visions get in the way of my words. That's MY excuse!

[Billyg]

Nice to know that there are still folks who cringe at bad grammar.
At least I just cringe now......I used to correct them.
Hmmmm haven't seen those folks for awhile.
Once an English Major, always an English major I guess!

[OldDave]

Hey, last week I tried to get people to stop selling frigs and start selling fridges instead, and they closed the thread.:shocked:

Seriously, I find myself proofreading my posts two and three times. As I get older I sure make more typos, if that is really what they are. For me and lots of other people, I think having a really good secretary clean up your mistakes is a hard thing to live without. Rose, I miss you!

[sailor47]

WOW!! I don't post a lot but now i'm really,realy nirvis.

[keithwand]

Your rite their a lot of misspellings; and grammar errs and youse no whose you is.

[jblum315]

to all the english majors we used to have here ?? The spelling, grammar, and syntax errors have reached epic proportions. For some reason (probably because I read a lot) these things pop out at me and ruin the credibility of posts.

I'm an English major. But I hesitate to correct people's spelling and grammar because feelings get hurt and everybody gets angry. I agree, there are more egregious errors than ever

[2BNTV]

I already have my share of frigs. :D

As long as the content is clear, in stating what one means, I'm good to go. :smiley: I tend to read my post for errors before hitting "submit" but like everyone else, "no one's perfect".

[casita37]

Slow news day, I guess!

Most forums actually forbid the correction of grammar, spelling, etc. I think that's probably a good rule.

[redwitch]

Gotta admit, I cringe every time I see refridgerator. Like there is no P in Sumter, there is no D in refrigerator. And I admit that I like good grammar. For me, it is easier to read but it certainly is not necessary. (And I do think some of the posts have gone beyond the pale in using bad grammar and spelling. If nothing else, check the words that are underlined in red and correct them -- it only takes a simple click to get the correct word.)

Regardless, I've always thought that correcting someone publicly is, at best, crass and most definitely extremely rude. So, I flinch and go my merry way.

[asianthree]

i have to look at this post and smile.... as I have bigger things on my plate.... then to worry about i don't use caps....

[JoeC1947]

Good lord! Who cares?

[angiefox10]

I hate people who mix up 'there, their and they're'. It's worse than not knowing the difference between your left and write.

[janmcn]

Anybody can go out and buy a dictionary and keep it next to their computer. If you're unsure of the spelling, look it up.

[batman911]

U evidently do not correspond with UR grandchildren or U would have a heart attack. most of them never capitalize anything or us punctuation Seriously, I doubt many people log on to TOTV to improve their spelling or grammar. It is entertainment. Does not make it right, but their world is quickly becoming the world.

[rayschic]

Anybody can go out and buy a dictionary and keep it next to their computer. If you're unsure of the spelling, look it up.

How do you look it up...if you can't spell it to begin with ?
Just kidding.
You don't even need a dictionary since most computers have spell check.

[downeaster]

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

[Madelaine Amee]

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Great job, and that is not easy to do.

[rayschic]

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Tankhs for psotnig !

[downeaster]

Dizzy Dean was quoted as saying "There are a lot of people who don't say ain't ain't working either.

I think correcting other posters' grammar, spelling, syntax, etc., is inappropriate, bad mannered as well as snobbery. It seems as soon as one makes a correction the pack effect comes into play and others feel they have to take a pot shot at the poster.

I might ask those "English majors" if they would correct me in person. Maybe at a TOTV gathering at Crispers. Then everyone could have a good laugh at my expense.

If you think you must correct someone please have the courtesy to send them a private message (along with your credentials).

If you disapprove of my grammar, etc., you know my user name. Just ignore my posts.

[graciegirl]

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Wow. I'm impressed.:a040:

Disclaimer. As I frequently point out that there is no pee in Lake Sumter, I really do not mean to correct anyone's spelling but just exercise a chance to be naughty.

[downeaster]

I hate people who mix up 'there, their and they're'. It's worse than not knowing the difference between your left and write.

Add me to your hate list. I mix them up frequently. I do know left from right, port from starboard, fore from aft, aloft from alow, stem from stern, rope from line, main from mizzen, ketch from yawl, ship from bark (barque?) etc..... .

By the way, how do you know who to hate if you have to wait for written words including there, their or they're'?

[justjim]

Boy Howdy.

Slow morning. Picking on each other?

Blanket apology to my high school English teacher; Mrs. Belcher. I remembered MOSt of what you taught me for a long time, but lately it's a little fuzzy.

:coolsmiley: Also, to my high school English teacher Mrs. Adelsberder. I was later told by my college professor that you can always get a good editor but much harder to find a creative writer. After all---it's the message that counts. I liked that professor!!

[paulandjean]

Good lord! Who cares?

I am with you on this one.......................

[downeaster]

[/QUOGood lord! Who cares?]

[QUOTE=paulandjean;629857]I am with you on this one.......................

I am with both of you. I couldn't care less about punctuation, spelling etc. I am only interested in the content and as long as I understand that much I am satisfied.

If you noted my prior post you will know I am not in favor of people taking it upon themselves to correct fellow posters. In fact I would like to see Admin ban those posts.

[travelguy]

What about the use of the words: less and fewer. Less is volume, and fewer is quantity. In other words.........1. There were fewer people in attendance last night.
2. He weighed less than he did last month.

[DaleMN]

Whom cares? :)

[DougB]

Q: What is grammar?
A: The difference in knowing your sh*t, and knowing you're sh*t.

[superuke]

This is funnier than a one legged waitress at iHOP

[graciegirl]

Whom cares? :)

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[renielarson]

Hmmmm..... speaking of grammar, maybe you should review the proper use of the comma.

I see nothing wrong with the commas. If you are referring to a comma before the word and...it belongs there.

[btf2008]

"Hate" is such a strong word towards someone who uses bad grammer...REALLY! "I hate people who..." This kind of foolishness and judgement of people is a little disturbing. I thought there are a lot of things to do in TV? Once I get there, deleting this account will be the first thing I do. Oh brother!

:ohdear:

[Billyg]

Q: What is grammar?
A: The difference in knowing your sh*t, and knowing you're sh*t.

Good one!

[CFrance]

WOW!! I don't post a lot but now i'm really,realy nirvis.

Dn't be nirvis. Nne uv us cn type on thes nu keyboards. Fat fingrng, as my son wld say.

[CFrance]

Add me to your hate list. I mix them up frequently. I do know left from right, port from starboard, fore from aft, aloft from alow, stem from stern, rope from line, main from mizzen, ketch from yawl, ship from bark (barque?) etc..... .

By the way, how do you know who to hate if you have to wait for written words including there, their or they're'?

Ahhhhh, another sailor. Good on ya, mate.

[CFrance]

]Whom cares?[/B] :)

I love it.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[islandgal]

:confused:
It has been a long time since I received my degree in English Lit.
I still silently cringe when I hear a sentence that ends with AT or something similar, but I would never ever say
anything about it to the speaker or a friend nearby.
Bad manners to say anything or form an opinion just for something that is not going to change your world.
Life is too short. Relax................

[Golfingnut]

I feel an accurate post serves us better than a hate post written using accurate grammar.

[CFrance]

:confused:
It has been a long time since I received my degree in English Lit.
I still silently cringe when I hear a sentence that ends with AT or something similar, but I would never ever say
anything about it to the speaker or a friend nearby.
Bad manners to say anything or form an opinion just for something that is not going to change your world.
Life is too short. Relax................

I agree with your point. I do try to keep up with the evolution of our language through reading articles, though, although my favorite journalist on the subject, William Safire, died several years ago.

But one recent article talked about common usage effecting change in the language, and ending a sentence with a preposition is one of those areas. So it has become acceptable to say, "Who did you give it to?" as opposed to, "To whom did you give it?"

Our son has another way around the problem. Instead of "Who did you give it to?" he says "Who did you give it to, jerk?":ohdear:

[Billyg]

True Dat!!!

[OldDave]

There is an interesting struggle between accepted rules of language, and the fact that every language, except maybe german, is ever changing. (Thanks Martin Luther.)

Whom essentially doesn't exist any longer. Even used correctly it sounds odd.

There are words people use "incorrectly" most of the time. Unique is frequently modified with very, totally, etc. By definition unique cannot be modified, it means one of a kind. However, nearly no one uses it that way, so unique is on the way to meaning different or unusual. I don't know if it's good or bad, but if nearly everyone uses it that way, it comes to mean that, regardless if Edwin Newman is turning over in his grave. (I started to say irregardless to get a rise out of people)

I agree with the idea that you probably shouldn't correct people, unless there is a true reason to do so. But it drives me crazy, too.

The worst consistent misusage these days is "literally" Nearly every time you hear someone use it they mean "figuratively". I actually heard a news anchor on TV say, "today the stock market literally went through the roof." That would have been something to see.

Even though it drives me crazy we're probably on the way to the meaning of that word changing. And that will literally drive me crazy.

[CFrance]

[QUOTE=OldDave;630151]There is an interesting struggle between accepted rules of language, and the fact that every language, except maybe german, is ever changing. (Thanks Martin Luther.)

Whom essentially doesn't exist any longer. Even used correctly it sounds odd.

There are words people use "incorrectly" most of the time. Unique is frequently modified with very, totally, etc. By definition unique cannot be modified, it means one of a kind. However, nearly no one uses it that way, so unique is on the way to meaning different or unusual. I don't know if it's good or bad, but if nearly everyone uses it that way, it comes to mean that, regardless if Edwin Newman is turning over in his grave. (I started to say irregardless to get a rise out of people)

I agree with the idea that you probably shouldn't correct people, unless there is a true reason to do so. But it drives me crazy, too.

The worst consistent misusage these days is "literally" Nearly every time you hear someone use it they mean "figuratively". I actually heard a news anchor on TV say, "today the stock market literally went through the roof." That would have been something to see.

Even though it drives me crazy we're probably on the way to the meaning of that word changing. And that will literally drive me crazy.[/QUOTE

Love the book Eats, Shoots and Leaves. The author threatens to walk around with a magic marker correcting grammar and spelling mistakes on signs.

I had a minor in English and was an editor in my last job, but I still catch myself using "their" when I mean "there," and "to" for "too." It's embarrassing to read back through what I've written and find these errors, or worse yet let one slip through.

But now that I'm no longer having to correct others' mistakes for a living, I care more about there content than there grammar. (Ha-ha, had to do it!) :a040::a040:

[zonerboy]

Guess I'm prejudiced, or maybe just a snob, but I tend to be dismissive of the opinions of people who use poor grammar or spelling. I figure if they don't even know 5th grade grammar and spelling, they probably don't know much else of any importance.
Every time I hear some one say "Where is it at?", I can't help thinking that person must be some type of hill-billy.
Sorry.
Flame me out, all you defensive people.

[JoeC1947]

Guess I'm prejudiced, or maybe just a snob, but I tend to be dismissive of the opinions of people who use poor grammar or spelling. I figure if they don't even know 5th grade grammar and spelling, they probably don't know much else of any importance.
Every time I hear some one say "Where is it at?", I can't help thinking that person must be some type of hill-billy.
Sorry.
Flame me out, all you defensive people.

No flame out here. Your first sentence says it all. It's good that you realize it though, it's the first step to recovery.

[Madelaine Amee]

There is an interesting struggle between accepted rules of language, and the fact that every language, except maybe german, is ever changing. (Thanks Martin Luther.)

Whom essentially doesn't exist any longer. Even used correctly it sounds odd.

There are words people use "incorrectly" most of the time. Unique is frequently modified with very, totally, etc. By definition unique cannot be modified, it means one of a kind. However, nearly no one uses it that way, so unique is on the way to meaning different or unusual. I don't know if it's good or bad, but if nearly everyone uses it that way, it comes to mean that, regardless if Edwin Newman is turning over in his grave. (I started to say irregardless to get a rise out of people)

I agree with the idea that you probably shouldn't correct people, unless there is a true reason to do so. But it drives me crazy, too.

The worst consistent misusage these days is "literally" Nearly every time you hear someone use it they mean "figuratively". I actually heard a news anchor on TV say, "today the stock market literally went through the roof." That would have been something to see.

Even though it drives me crazy we're probably on the way to the meaning of that word changing. And that will literally drive me crazy.

I have been waiting, figuratively, for your post on this subject.

Now my gripe is when you hear people on the TV say " .... small little ..... What happened to just being able to say that something was small, who decided to add the little to the end?

[downeaster]

Guess I'm prejudiced, or maybe just a snob, but I tend to be dismissive of the opinions of people who use poor grammar or spelling. I figure if they don't even know 5th grade grammar and spelling, they probably don't know much else of any importance.
Every time I hear some one say "Where is it at?", I can't help thinking that person must be some type of hill-billy.
Sorry.
Flame me out, all you defensive people.

One member hates me because of my lack of education and now here is a case of one who dismisses my input for the same reason.

Sgt. Alvin York was a "hillbilly" who won The Congressional of Honor.

Thomas Edison had very little formal education and his contributions were numerous.

That is just two people out of many who were not dismissed.

BTW, now you know I am one of those to be dismissed you skip my posts.

[quirky3]

I get a grammar-nerdy chuckle out of one example from Strunk & White's "Elements of Style":

Nauseous. Nauseated. The first means “sickening to comtemplate”; the second means “sick at the stomach.” Do not, therefore, say “I feel nauseous,” unless you are sure you have that effect on others.

[graciegirl]

I think that there is all kinds of "smart". Some people are really good with words, others with figures, and some are good with building things with their hands. Some people have common sense although they don't have awareness of opera and ballet and classical music and the great paintings and may not know another language. Some people have instinctive good taste and an inborn sense of what is beautiful and others know how to fix engines and washers and televisions. Some people are very smart even though they aren't very educated.

Some people who aren't very good at any of the above can read peoples hearts and smiles and are sometimes referred to as cognitivly challenged.

I think people mostly do the best they can with what they were given.

Except there are some who have been given great gifts and are lazy and I don't respect them at all.

I think that I have far more unanswered questions, each year I grow older and am not at all sure just what "smart" is.

[mulligan]

Gracie, my point in the initial post was not to bash anybody in particular, but only to point out that there are those among us who see grammatical errors jumping off the page. I could not agree more with your post, and I guess I have to apologize for stirring up some "stuff". That being said, I used to really enjoy the wrangling with the English majors.

[downeaster]

I think that there is all kinds of "smart". Some people are really good with words, others with figures, and some are good with building things with their hands. Some people have common sense although they don't have awareness of opera and ballet and classical music and the great paintings and may not know another language. Some people have instinctive good taste and an inborn sense of what is beautiful and others know how to fix engines and washers and televisions. Some people are very smart even though they aren't very educated.

Some people who aren't very good at any of the above can read peoples hearts and smiles and are sometimes referred to as cognitivly challenged.

I think people mostly do the best they can with what they were given.

Except there are some who have been given great gifts and are lazy and I don't respect them at all.

I think that I have far more unanswered questions, each year I grow older and am not at all sure just what "smart" is.

Well said, Gracie.

[2BNTV]

We all come from diifferent backgrounds and we are usually a product of what we read and who we hang around with.

I believe there are two kinds of intelligence. "Intellectual" and "Emotional".

Intellectual can be obtained through schooling.

Emotional intelligence is a measure of how well you’re able to control your emotions. It’s entirely different than your intellectual intelligence. Emotional intelligence is extremely important. It’s so important that studies have shown it to be much more important than intellectual intelligence to your long-term success.

There are many people who have intellectual intelligence but not as many who are emotionally intelligent.

[DougB]

Howard Gardner has actually identified 9 intelligences:
1). Logical/mathematical
2). Spatial
3). Interpersonal
4). Naturalistic
5). Intrapersonal
6). Linguistic
7). Bodily- kinesthetic
8) Existential
9). Musical

[zonerboy]

I apologize, Downeaster, it's the way I was brought up.
My father always told me "Sloppy spelling, sloppy grammar=sloppy thinking, sloppy logic." So if I'm asking for opinions, I'll always prefer those from people who express themselves correctly.
I must admit, however, that this approach has led me astray on several occasions. There are, in fact, some people who are very intelligent, but just happen to be poorly educated. Not too many, but definitely some.

[DougB]

Guess I'm prejudiced, or maybe just a snob, but I tend to be dismissive of the opinions of people who use poor grammar or spelling. I figure if they don't even know 5th grade grammar and spelling, they probably don't know much else of any importance.
Every time I hear some one say "Where is it at?", I can't help thinking that person must be some type of hill-billy.
Sorry.
Flame me out, all you defensive people.

Uh, there is no hyphen in hillbilly. You also left out your comma after the word say before your quote.

[janmcn]

Some grammatical errors and poor spelling (maybe typos) could be attributed to physical or mental problems as we age, not ignorance. There are posters who are very thoughtful and articulate one day, and slurring their sentences the next day. Could it be low blood sugar, too much medication, or too much alcohol? It also could be difficult for those with arthritic hands to type. Failing eyesight could also contribute to some errors.

[karostay]

I apologize, Downeaster, it's the way I was brought up.
My father always told me "Sloppy spelling, sloppy grammar=sloppy thinking, sloppy logic." So if I'm asking for opinions, I'll always prefer those from people who express themselves correctly.
I must admit, however, that this approach has led me astray on several occasions. There are, in fact, some people who are very intelligent, but just happen to be poorly educated. Not too many, but definitely some.

Ones education and use of the proper English should have nutten to do with anythin.
Respecting your fellow human should be the rule of concern:MOJE_whot:

[zonerboy]

Ones education and use of the proper English should have nutten to do with anythin.
Respecting your fellow human should be the rule of concern:MOJE_whot:

If you are talking about who your friends are, or who you hang out with, you are absolutely correct.
We all have been endowed with human dignity, and deserve to be treated with respect.
That being said:
If I have a financial problem, I want to talk to a CPA.
For a legal problem, I want some one who went to law school.
If I have health issues, I'm looking for a med school graduate.
Don't try to tell me education means "nutten".

[graciegirl]

Gracie, my point in the initial post was not to bash anybody in particular, but only to point out that there are those among us who see grammatical errors jumping off the page. I could not agree more with your post, and I guess I have to apologize for stirring up some "stuff". That being said, I used to really enjoy the wrangling with the English majors.

My dear Mulligan.

You have absolutely NOTHING to apologize for. (Did you see that dangling participle?)

You didn't bash anybody at all. You are consitently fair and kind and very smart. I love your posts. Your point is valid. I see them too. And I loved picking on those smart girls.

I didn't mean to make you think that post was directed at you or anyone.

It was just musings on my part.

Would not sleep tonight if you thought I was critical of you.

Your friend,
Gracie.

[Cisco Kid]

Uh, there is no hyphen in hillbilly. You also left out your comma after the word say before your quote.

:bigbow::bigbow:

[Villages PL]

to all the english majors we used to have here ?? The spelling, grammar, and syntax errors have reached epic proportions. For some reason (probably because I read a lot) these things pop out at me and ruin the credibility of posts.

You have to realize we're getting old. I'm only 72 but some may be in their 80s and 90s. Sometimes I will make a mistake and not even see it when I read it over to make corrections. And sometimes I just can't figure out the best way to express what I'm thinking.

But, listen, it's possible to be grammatically correct and not have quality of thought. On the other hand, some may be grammatically incorrect but have good quality of thought.

What I would like to see is an "English Board" on this site where one can go for help.

[CFrance]

You have to realize we're getting old. I'm only 72 but some may be in their 80s and 90s. Sometimes I will make a mistake and not even see it when I read it over to make corrections. And sometimes I just can't figure out the best way to express what I'm thinking.

But, listen, it's possible to be grammatically correct and not have quality of thought. On the other hand, some may be grammatically incorrect but have good quality of thought.

What I would like to see is an "English Board" on this site where one can go for help.

You can always put any question you have up on the forum, and those of us educated in this area would rush to answer.

[cahweh1975]

Uh, there is no hyphen in hillbilly. You also left out your comma after the word say before your quote.

Not to mention the comma after the question mark and the quote. It needs to go! There were a number of other minor errors, but I won't bother to point them out.

You would not believe some of the things I read, and correct, on a daily basis--all composed by people with a higher education. Of course, they know their limitations, which is why they hire me to make their words look and sound better. What's even more interesting? I only have a high school education. English was not my strongest subject in school, either. That would have been study hall, where I did very little studying! But, I love words, reading, and the English language.

I would never judge the character of any person based solely on their ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation. If I did that, I'd never see a physician, CPA, attorney, or any other professional! I hire them for their expertise in their areas and they hire me for mine.

[mrfixit]

The ONLY time I corrected someone for ending a sentence with a preposition
did not go well............
>>>>>>>>>>>>>

HIM::: "Can you please tell me where the Inter-mural building is AT ?"

ME:::: (haughtily) " Yes, of course.....BUT.....at THIS University we do not end our sentences with a preposition."

HIM:::: "Oh, I am so Sorry........
...........could you tell me where the Inter-mural building is at, A$$HOLE."

>>>>>>>>>>>>

...later that DAY ....
............................I found out he was my International Trade Professor.

[DougB]

Now, that's funny.

[pooh]

I blame autocorrect on our electronic toys.....:D