How do people feel about posters who correct grammar?

[senseandsensibility]

I'm kind of asking a serious question. You see, I'm an English teacher. I definitely have that prissy "grammar police" side to my being. Nevertheless, I have never corrected another DUer's grammar, even when the mistake was one of my pet peeves. I've been tempted to do it nicely on one or two occasions, but I've refrained. To me, it's rude to correct another adult's grammar or spelling unless they ask for help. What do you think?

[RC]

1. Someone needs to do it.

After all, we are supposed to be a little more educated than the dark side.

[pacalo]

16. A perspective from a long-time lurker...

I haven't seen that many grammar mistakes here; the posters here are extraordinarily impressive (talking about the serious posts, which are the only ones I read) & thought-provoking. When a post is well written & flawless in grammar, I pay more attention to the message.

I've seen a lot more grammar errors at Republican sites, which is very revealing about their mentality & intelligence.

To me, proper grammar is very telling of the educational background of the writer; it makes a difference where credibility is concerned.

[senseandsensibility]

21. Good points

for a lurker!:bounce: I am also impressed by the writing skills of the average DUer, and agree that their skill helps them convey their message more effectively. However, when you do see mistakes, is it appropriate to correct them?

[hyphenate]

48. I think it depends

on whether the spelling indicates possible ambiguity on the part of the post itself.

For instance, I find a lot of people with "their" "they're" and "there" mistakes, which could indicate just a mind wandering, which I've done myself on occasion.

If someone calls Karl Rove "Carl Rove" I believe it is good to correct such an error, as people need to be able to spell the names of the bad guys without fail--how can we get across our message if we can't even spell their names correctly? The same goes for any actual, living breathing person, because names is one area in which we need to be precise.

If someone writes as though they are 10 years old, and people know otherwise, their writing tends to lose its effect. No opinion can be seriously considered when the author of such a piece doesn't even take the time to learn to spell properly.

One grammatical error which bothers me a great deal is the usage of "it's" for the possessive noun, "its." If people learned the proper use of both the possessive form and the verb contraction, I wouldn't feel like screaming from the rooftops about the mistake. It's more annoying than it is horrendous, and so many people do it, that I've managed to hold myself back when I see it used.

If there are only small errors, such as letter transpositions, I look at them as typos, not incorrect spelling. I have a few words I tend to do that to as well, and I've been a secretary and administrative assistant for over 20 years.

I think, in the end, that the way to go about it is by individual posting. Serious errors will show up on a continual basis, and once you can look at the author with some familiarity, you can determine if they are just being lazy typers, have a real learning problem or just don't care what they write.

[pacalo]

56. If the poster's grammar skills are consistently poor, I wouldn't bother

with addressing them. If the poster consistently makes one grammatical error (such as, "ya'll" instead of "y'all"), it could be corrected in a subtle manner: "I know what 'y(ou)'all' are trying to say"...

[LiberalTechie1337]

18. We are, grammer or not

At least we don't make up words.

BTW, I hope their is a good stratery for security at the Greecian Olympic games. <- see what I mean

[Taylor Mason Powell]

2. I am in complete agreeance with you on this one!

:-)

I think it's a waste of everyone's time. It reflects more poorly on the corrector than the correctee.

[MasonJar]

3. A lot of the mistakes are probably typo's. However, being an

English teacher myself, I am also tempted to step in to the grammatical fray. I am interested to see what others say.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. Bob the Angry Flower says:

[Chovexani]

13. I love that cartoon.

Unnecessary apostrophes are my biggest pet peeve. I break out into hives when I see them.

[Taylor Mason Powell]

17. Hilarious cartoon!

I love it - the apostrophe thing is a huge pet peeve of mine as well. But not enough where I would go to the trouble of posting just to correct someone on it.

[wtmusic]

50. Apostrophe's are great for covering up ignorant's

Apply liberally.

[Cybergata]

68. Hey!!!!!!!!!

I love ! s. I love the way they look, so back off bud! <hee hee>

:hippie:

[bahrbearian]

4. People make mistakes,

I don't like it when people type ,Dupe, so what if its a Dupe.

[medeak]

12. you're right

did that for first time yesterday and had remorse about it.

[Chovexani]

5. It depends on the context.

My spelling and grammar are fairly decent, but there are certain words I just can't spell. I appreciate when someone corrects me, provided they're not being a prick about it. I'm an English major and I tend to be picky about that sort of thing too.

However, there's one thing that really peeves me, and I see it on DU all the time. A couple of posters will go at it on a thread, and inevitably one will insult the other's spelling or grammar. That's so petty and childish to me.

[ohiosmith]

30. OK. I'm busted.

[Chovexani]

38. Aww it's okay.

You're forgiven. :)

[ohiosmith]

49. You are so kind. Thanks.

[gpandas]

43. get a dictionary n/t

[Chovexani]

45. Okay, Mom.

:evilgrin:

I never understood the "get a dictionary" thing. I mean, if I don't know how to spell the word, how can I look it up? :silly:

[gpandas]

70. gotta plug away...

i use the dictionary quite a bit to verify both spelling and meaning, but if you think cat starts with an 'r', then i would suggest a little more reading is in order. seriously, reading is the best way to improve spelling, and the dictionary is full of stuff that will help learn a few simple rules. incredibly, i spent, or misspent(had to look up number of 'esses') a large part of my youth actually reading the dictionary. still do.

[rucky]

6. Only to clarify meaning.

knowwhutimean?

<------English teacher in training

[Liberal Veteran]

7. I have always thunk it were sillyer.

LOL

[Stew225]

15. How else will I ever justify or make use of my

degree in English? I tend to try subtle humor in response to a blatant error I see. Some of the errors drive me crazy; some are driving me crazy; some have driven me crazy.

[lolly]

8. Hey, I'm Off the Clock When I'm on DU

I'm a writing instructor too, and I spend hours every week correcting grammar.

Damned if I'm going to do it for free here!

p.s.--all you other English teachers--do you find it irksome that people feel they've really triumphed when they catch YOU making some minor spelling or grammar error?

[senseandsensibility]

36. YES!!!!

Especially when it's a typo!:mad:

[Kamikaze]

10. It depends.

If the poster's grammar barely passes grade school caliber, then posting a correction can do harm. Especially if the grammar is so atrocious that it would take a team of codebreakers to deduce whatever meaning is contained within. If the person is also not very well-liked, is a troll, or is simply a blithering idiot, then grammar corrections are such sweet ways to bring them to a boil.

Of course, small errors here and there can be ignored.

But, I still want to cry when I see anyone screw up there, their, and they're.

[medeak]

11. agree

don't take away....my...punctuation...that's .....when...I'm thinking.....

[ohiosmith]

14. I only correct grammar and/or comment on typos when a post

pisses me off or I want to get someone off balance during a heated discussion.
:evilgrin:

[DaveClearwater99]

25. I have a degree in Computer Science.

Leave my grammar alone. When I see someone correcting grammar I don't assume they're highly educated I assume they're a secretary.

[ohiosmith]

41. And secretaries are not highly educated? And, do you know

"secretary" is demeaning term to some?

[DaveClearwater99]

44. yes

That's why I chose it in this case

[Cybergata]

69. Secretaries always..

end up fixing their boss's grammar. Secretaries can be very highly educated, and really good ones get paid well for being so.

I know legal secretaries. They have to deal with legalese, and have to know what all of it means.

Be good to secretaries and janitors. They have powers beyond your belief.


:hippie:

[ohiosmith]

71. Amen sister. They can make your life a living heaven or hell.

[lolly]

88. OK, here goes

I'm not a secretary, DaveC, but . . .

you have plural pronouns with a singular antecedent . . .

(so I broke my own rule. Couldn't resist.)

but then I went and spelled antecedent wrong, so what can ya do?

[tishaLA]

93. Same for me

I'm particularly inclined to correct people who--let's say--tell me the Pacers will win the NBA Title although it's patently obvious it will never happen.

[Demobrat]

19. I am a writer by trade.

An advertising copywriter. I have made a good living at it for 20 years. I should be able to produce error free documents and do, on a daily basis. Others, on the other hand, are good at things that I suck at. I cannot paint a beautiful picture, compose music or sail a boat. So I don't take it upon myself to criticize people who may not excel at what I do. I think it's self-indulgent and rude, and most definately not my place. This isn't school. People come here to express themselves, not to be graded, and I have no interest in humiliating anybody or pointing out my superior spelling abilities.

[wtmusic]

26. Except to the extent that

your ability to express yourself is diminished if your participles are dangling and your spelling sucks.

BTW it's "definitely". (Sorry!) :D

[Demobrat]

42. Somehow I can usually manage to figure out what people mean

without criticizing them. But I guess if ya gotta flaunt your superiority, ya just gotta.

[DaveClearwater99]

34. Thank You

[ohiosmith]

65. Should "error free" be hyphenated? Just asking.

[RebelOne]

104. In my opinion, only if used as an adjective.

[wtmusic]

20. Do it to me

Love being corrected, especially by a pro! :D

[Canuckistanian]

32. So, you enjoy being 'disciplined', do you?

I DO know a few pros who could help.

[wtmusic]

37. Tie me up and make me dangle modifiers baby

:spank:

[Canuckistanian]

52. Just don't split my infinitive

Yeowch!

[wtmusic]

58. I hereby promise to never, ever do that

:D

[hyphenate]

55. I think the proper word

is "professional" not "pro." lol!!!!

Just kidding. ;)

[Cybergata]

22. I think it can make people uncomfortable posting!

As a dyslexic, I always had trouble with writing. This is probably why I make my Social Studies students write so much. I'll correct their grammar, but I try to read most of what they write with them. I prefer to point out something is wrong, and ask them to figure out how to correct it.

With that said, I can be pretty snide with people who correct grammar on forums because I know how hard it had been for me to write my thoughts out. I'd hate for anyone to be uncomfortable sharing their ideas.

:hippie: dyslexic who reverses words in sentences, letters, especially numbers, and doesn't know how I lived before spell check!

p.s. I'm sorry if this posts twice.

[senseandsensibility]

86. I've worked

with learning disabled students, and my hat is off to you for overcoming your struggles in this area. I have some idea what you've gone through.:party:

[SOteric]

23. I agree,

and I teach Creative Writing and English Literature.

These fora are intended to provide informal discussion. To me, correcting grammar here is as inappropriate as it would be to interrupt a conversation at a cocktail party and correct the participants on their pronunciation, grammar and cultural idiosyncrasies.

That said, I admit there have been a few times when some poster was blowing air or in some manner being a turkey where I felt no compunction in pointing out their miscellaneous flaws, grammar, spelling and dangling participles.

[Kellanved]

24. I would appreciate getting corrected

English is my third language and I would be grateful for any hints on how to improve it.

Of course it depends on the style of the correction...

:hi:

[Cybergata]

66. English is your Third Language...

boy sometimes you Europeans put those of in the United States to shame. Many here are still stuggling with English. Point in case--> Our Beloved President

I bow in your prsence,

:hippie:

[Kellanved]

75. truth be told:

There is no shortage of European idiots; in high places and in low. This is by no means an American specialty.

In my very own case, I have to admit: I have forgotten about 95% of my second language: Latin.


Thanks!

[Cybergata]

76. I took Latin in High School

I thought I'd never forget how to say the Pledge of Allegiance to both the U.S. and New Mexico in Latin after saying ti every school day for a few years. Now, I don't remember either, or any other Latin.

:hippie:

[fob]

27. I have done it several times.

Here's what launches me into action.

"loose" when you mean "lose" <---- Very popular and highly grating

"there" when you mean "their" <--- Or vice versa

"your" when you mean "you're" <--- Also popular mistake

"payed" when you mean "paid" <--- This is a new one that has sprung up and I haven't commented directly on this one, so I thought I would bring it up here

"are" when you mean "our"

I expect more from my fellow DUers, and I let a lot go by, but sometimes I just gotta say sumpin'!!

[lazarus]

80. another pet peeve

People not knowing the term is "voila". I've seen so many spellings lately.

[NMDemDist2]

85. i have a few of those too..

heard vs. herd

heel vs. heal

they're vs. their

and it it truly incorrect to use the contraction "it's" for "it is" and "it's" is the possessive of "it" is it not?

inquiring minds want to know :evilgrin:

[TrogL]

28. I'm a "grammar Nazi" get over it

[Westegg]

29. I only correct people who disagree with me, as a way of proving that...

...I'm smarter than they are and that therefore I'm right and they're wrong. KIDDING! I've never corrected grammar or typos here. I think lots of errors in posts are due to fast typing or less-than-stellar typing skills (such as my own). Most errors are fairly harmless, unless they affect the context, and those are worth noting. Otherwise, you might just come across as a jerk if you do it often. My first job was as a proofreader, and I've got a pretty good eye for such things but, as someone else here noted, who's go the time to proofread the posts of others?

[MuseRider]

31. It makes a lot of

people mad. I know I have problems at times and I would appreciate the help and correction. I was certainly glad for the spell checker.

[DaveClearwater99]

40. its it's its'

who cares.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

64. People smart enough to know that Bush will lose.

That's who cares.

The ignorant -- they don't care.

[MsUnderstood]

33. I correct grammar

When a poster asks me to because he/she wants feedback on a letter/e-mail they plan to send.

Other than that, I think "What would Dubya do?" and am filled with a calming sense of "That shure luks cerrect to me."

Works when reading the newspaper too.

[bigwillq]

35. I don't mind if other DUers point out a spelling mistake

of mine. It happens. I would rather have someone tell me I spelt it wrong than have it stay wrong.

A lot of times when I post, I am at work. I have to type fast and sometimes don't get the chance to do spell check or read over my post.

[izzie]

39. I do not care as I was married for 40 years and am used to it!

-----

[johnnie]

46. I do the best I can

Sometimes I know that people probably look at what I'm trying to say and wonder what I'm saying. I know this because I do it to myself. I'm not a bad speaker, but my writing technique is pretty bad.

While I'm here though, I'm curious about something. When someone posts a picture and writes "My wife and I in 1998" or "Here is my friends and I at the beach". That's not right...is it?

[lolly]

90. "I" is correct

If it's clearly supposed to be a subject, or if it comes after an (understood) linking verb:

My wife and I are in Hawaii in this picture.

This is my wife and I.

It's "me" if it's an object of a verb or a preposition:

Give the picture to my wife and me. A gift from my wife and me. Follow my wife and me in the other car.


But your last sentence should be "Here are my friends and I . . "

Sounds a bit awkward, but there you are.

[johnnie]

91. Thank you n/t

[jimshoes]

47. I relish a post with no spelling or grammar mistakes

but I hold back from correcting a poster. There used to be a prodigious poster here and a real patriot with the most atrocious spelling and grammar. I haven't seen him post here in a long while and it might be because he was embarrassed by his spelling as many people pointed it out all the time. So I just let it slide because you can generally get the meaning of a post. Having said that, I might slyly respond to a post using the misspelled word spelled correctly though.

[Amaya]

51. It's only rude if I get corrected.

:)

[senseandsensibility]

72. LOL

:toast: Good one.

[wtmusic]

53. Common grammatical errors (and how to fix them)

http://www.arc.sbc.edu/grammar.html

[HEyHEY]

54. Can really piss me off

I don't to hear this shit when I'm posting on a fucking political forum.

[democracyindanger]

57. You left out a verb.

:evilgrin:

[ohiosmith]

59. thes hers', a reel gud threde"

[malachibk]

60. Nope, won't correct

Even if the mistake annoys me. Not my place. Do you correct friends when they misspeak? How rude! I even hesitate to correct my partner's Spanish mistakes, but I think of it as learning.

If they ask, correct away.

[lynx rufus]

61. Don't do it!

There is something laughably anal about
'grammar police' patrolling the rantings of unpaid posters.
For some reason, the appellative 'hollow victory' comes to mind.

[jukes]

83. lynx

starting to dig your posts, man. excellent style!

[liberalmuse]

62. How many people...

are meticulously checking their spelling and grammar before submitting replies to this thread? LOL!

BTW, the grammar AND spelling police can just suck on it. (Now, that can either be a good or a bad thing, okay?)

[ronnykmarshall]

63. It make the place look gooder!

[senseandsensibility]

74. hee hee

n/t

[LWolf]

67. I don't do it.

Mainly because I don't want to be "on duty" when I'm not on duty. I have been tempted many times. I'll often post a response about the content, and clean up the spelling/grammar so that it goes back in the correct form in my post.

Still, I always appreciate the few grammar police we do have floating around DU. They usually post what I'm thinking.

[Blue-Jay]

73. I only do it when

a poster is questioning another poster's intellagence. Then it's open season! :D

[NightTrain]

77. Unfortunately, a lot of the spelling and grammar I see around here...

...is horrendous! Since I notice these things (and am irritated by them),* I'm glad when somebody else at DU points them out.


*Whoops! I used the passive voice. Sorry about that. ;)

[jukes]

84. NightTrain

butt, d00d, kewlsp33k is, like kewl, ya know?

[arwalden]

96. I M 1 \/\/|-|0 H8s th4t Cr4P. ICUR2?

[pink-o]

78. I want to...oh, how I want to..

But I won't! If getting older means getting wiser, it also means becoming less pedantic. No one likes a pedant (as I have found out the hard way). I love this mis-mash language of ours, I'm almost evangelical about it! I love the history, the etymology, the idioms in different English speaking countries. Language and how it evolves is a great window into people's cultures. I've heard native French speakers complain that English is not descriptive enough, but I have no problem articulating my perceptions with a myriad of verbility (not a real word, but better than something Bush would use). Especially with the homophones and multi-uses of certain words in this language--one can always turn a pretty phrase or get a great guffaw.

Anyway, it seems as if the very joy of English has been lost on the last few generations. Exceptions here I'm sure, but children aren't even taught parts of speech anymore or how to diagram a sentence. I don't look down on anyone who struggles with grammar, but I feel bad (not badly, it's a linking verb)that anyone has to.

Listen, math leaves me cold, I admire anyone who can work with abstract concepts and chemical formulas. But I'm happy to have verbal skills--how else could I bullshit with complete confidence???


PS forgot to add that IMHO correcting grammar is like correcting someone's table manners. You wouldn't want someone to tell you how to hold the fork--at least not after puberty.

Better to let the mistakes slide. Especially if you get the gist of the message.

[senseandsensibility]

92. Words of wisdom!

nt

[Cybergata]

98. Where are kids not taught..

Grammar, perts of speech or how to diagram a sentence? I teach in a middle school, and I can promise you kids are being taught all three. Maybe we are still behind the times. New Mexico is always behind the times, but we are using books, probably not to dissimilar for schools around the country. These books contain grammar, parts of speech and have exercises on diagramming a sentence.

:hippie:

[demosincebirth]

79. Some of us are plain ol' working stiffs

with barely a hs education. Our votes and opinions count. Our growing up with callouses on our hands is education enough.
My hero is the guy up the street who struggles daily, who works 12hrs a day to put food on his table and clothes on his children's back and hoping none of his children get sick, as he can't afford health insurance. I don't think he cares too much about grammar or spelling, as long as they can read his signature on his meager, weekly, payroll check.

Sorry for any grammatical errors.

[senseandsensibility]

81. Well said.

Your meaning is loud and clear. And, and as you can see from my sig line, I value labor. The person you describe is the type of person that I am afraid might be reluctant to post here if people are insensitive about correcting others' writing. :dem:

[jukes]

82. these aren't essays

it's a forum, &, for the sake of brevity, i freq break every rule in the book.

on paper my prose is cleaner, & exact.


after all, it's the content that matters here, not they style.

anyhow, i type like xians fornicate (w/ the exception of ChavezSpeakstheTruth, who assures me his technique is as erudite as his verbal expression.)

EDIT: don't think i've ever posted w/o an edit.

[SoCalDem]

87. There's a website dedicated to it.. The Grammar Nazi

http://bynight.darkalliance.org/gramnazi/grammar.html

[nini]

89. I think they need more important things to worry about..

most of them are typos and for those that aren't - who really cares in the scheme of things.

[senseandsensibility]

94. You mean

You have a life? LOL:wow:

[VoteDemocratic2004]

95. They need to find something better to do

If you have to go looking for someone elses errors and mistakes then you must not have much to do or say.

It's sad!

[TroubleMan]

97. Nothing to add here, but I love this message board grammar insult

"I could stir my stiff dick in a bowl of alphabet soup and have better grammar than your last post."

The first time I saw that I laughed so hard.

[Penndems]

99. As an Executive Assistant, it's one of my duties to proofread

other people's copy and correct mistakes. Once you get into the habit of reading over correspondence and cleaning up the grammar, typos and punctuation, it stays with you. I'm my own worst critic and a real stickler in that regard.

I've worked in offices (like the EOP) where correspondence had to be absolutely letter-perfect. If a letter or an Executive Order goes to a Member of Congress, a Cabinet Secretary or a head of state, obviously it has to be completely error-free, on the correct stationery and "clean" (no ink prints on it).

Just part of the job. :)

[VoteDemocratic2004]

100. Were not in an office

We are all individuals on here and it's irritating for someone else to correct someone else's grammar when they are not working for them or asking them to correct it either.

[Penndems]

105. I haven't corrected anyone's grammar on DU except my own

and don't intend to. I can't imagine why anyone would do something like that; it seems downright rude, IMHO.

In the workplace, however, it's a whole other ballgame. ;) That's my JOB.

[Rhiannon12866]

101. I agree. But it bugs me, as well

But the worst offense, to me, is misspellings! We now have spell check on posts! What a great gift! Use it, LOL!:D

[onebigbadwulf]

102. that's a tough one

being in NZ I find it extremely extremely annoying and actually angering when someone tries to correct me for using an American term.

For example, if I ask for ketchup. They hold up the bottle and before giving it to me they say "tomato sauce" like I'm 4 years old.

Or if I ask "when is our anatomy final?" they respond, "you mean our anatomy exam?". It's the same damn thing and they know it!

It's frustrating having to put up with this stuff every day.

This doesn't really relate to grammar, but I needed to vent.

[RebelOne]

103. As much as I would like to, I don't correct other DUers' grammar,

punctuation or spelling mistakes. I am a copyeditor and some of the postings here make me want to scream when I see all the mistakes. But I grit my teeth and ignore them.