Bad English!,spelling,grammar and punctuation
Discussion
I have noticed a few little comments at both myself and a few others on this forum about our use of the english language,on such a mixed forum with posters from all types of backgrounds is it fair to pull others up or should we cut some slack and just take people for what they are,after all in my opinion Education is not the B all of life.
I feel it helps shape a person but not make them although it is very important in trying to get your point across and can be very frustrating to those of us that struggle with the english language.
It goes without saying that my english has improved since being drawn to certain points thanks to the critics and i am no longer the punctuation king of P&P but as already has been pointed out this is a car forum and not Oxford University.
I feel it helps shape a person but not make them although it is very important in trying to get your point across and can be very frustrating to those of us that struggle with the english language.
It goes without saying that my english has improved since being drawn to certain points thanks to the critics and i am no longer the punctuation king of P&P but as already has been pointed out this is a car forum and not Oxford University.
I try to be tolerant of others' somewhat idiosyncratic misuse of the language, and yet equally I can see no problem with drawing attention to some of the more egregious yet common errors such as the 'loose/lose' dichotomy or the truly bizarre tense formation encapsulated in 'I could of done it'. Some may learn from being picked up on their errors, and some may tell me to 'go stick my head in a pig' so be it.
Einion Yrth said:Same here. With predictive texting there seems no point.
Fine, but we should keep Pistonheads free from text speak at the very least. 
Texts are abreviated for a reason. On PCs we have keyboards.
Am I the only person who punctuates my texts?
It's generally considered poor form on the web to point out the inadequacies in others grammatical accuracy as you dont know the background of the person who is writing. Obviously pointing out others inadequacies in the car, political and trouser department is fair game 
Text speak is right out.
Edited due to glaring punctuation error.
>> Edited by Plotloss on Friday 18th November 11:39
Text speak is right out.
Edited due to glaring punctuation error.
>> Edited by Plotloss on Friday 18th November 11:39
Plotloss said:But if noone points out errors there is no opportunity to improve, surely this does a disservice? Not that I'm suggesting that anyone be ridiculed for their errors, but merely pointing out that they have been made is hardly a heinous crime surely.
Its generally considered poor form on the web to point out the inadequacies in others grammatical accuracy as you dont know the background of the person who is writing. Obviously point out others inadequacies in the car, political and trouser department is fair game
But text speak is right out.
edited for typo
>> Edited by Einion Yrth on Friday 18th November 11:40
I have been known to chip in with grammatical corrections and sometimes spelling corrections from time to time. In actual fact, I restrain myself most of the time as I do recognise that many spelling errors are down to typographical errors which we all make. Also I do recognise too that there are many people out there who have genuine dyslexic problems and no amount of spelling or grammar correction is going to help them much.
However, now and then I don't think that reminding folks about basic stuff is out of order - particularly when the errors are down to plain lack of knowledge or over-dependence on Microsoft "American" style spelling - which I feel like I'm fighting a rearguard action to prevent becoming the norm.
There's no harm in keeping standards as high as possible. The problem with English education in this country is that for decades children had been told that "spelling and grammar doesn't matter" as long as you get the idea across. Well, having poor spelling and grammar is sometimes instrumental in making sure that you do not "get the idea across".
However, now and then I don't think that reminding folks about basic stuff is out of order - particularly when the errors are down to plain lack of knowledge or over-dependence on Microsoft "American" style spelling - which I feel like I'm fighting a rearguard action to prevent becoming the norm.
There's no harm in keeping standards as high as possible. The problem with English education in this country is that for decades children had been told that "spelling and grammar doesn't matter" as long as you get the idea across. Well, having poor spelling and grammar is sometimes instrumental in making sure that you do not "get the idea across".
I pride myself on my English. I enjoy writing it, and I enjoy reading English that is written with thought and care. Having said that, I do appreciate the fact that language is fluid and it doesn't really matter what the rules are, because people will say and write whatever they want to.
If you understand what has been written, however poor the grammar and spelling, the point has been put across - and isn't that language's only purpose?
Misplaced apostrophes do drive me to violence though, I will admit.
Edited to remove irony
>> Edited by Ecks Ridgehead on Friday 18th November 11:45
If you understand what has been written, however poor the grammar and spelling, the point has been put across - and isn't that language's only purpose?
Misplaced apostrophes do drive me to violence though, I will admit.
Edited to remove irony
>> Edited by Ecks Ridgehead on Friday 18th November 11:45
ZR1cliff said:
I have noticed a few little comments at both myself and a few others on this forum about our use of the english language,on such a mixed forum with posters from all types of backgrounds is it fair to pull others up or should we cut some slack and just take people for what they are,after all in my opinion Education is not the B all of life.
I feel it helps shape a person but not make them although it is very important in trying to get your point across and can be very frustrating to those of us that struggle with the english language.
It goes without saying that my english has improved since being drawn to certain points thanks to the critics and i am no longer the punctuation king of P&P but as already has been pointed out this is a car forum and not Oxford University.
I noticed there were quite a few grammatical and punctuation errors in this post, so I'll now correct it:
I have noticed a few little comments at both myself and a few others on this forum about our use of the english language. On such a mixed forum, with posters from all types of backgrounds, is it fair to pull others up or should we cut some slack and just take people for what they? After all, in my opinion education is not the be all and end all of life.
I feel good grammar helps to shape a person but not make them, however it is very helpful in trying to get one's point across. Remember though, such correction can be very frustrating to those of us who struggle with the English language.
It goes without saying that my English has improved since being drawn to certain points. Thanks to these critics I am no longer the punctuation king of P&P but, as already has been pointed out, this is a car forum and not Oxford University.
>> Edited by srebbe64 on Friday 18th November 11:48
And there I was thinking this was about John Waits early eighties' band. I am all for correcting grammatical errors; as a child of the eighties I had no formal training in the English language and my written word was appalling until I started to read books for my own pleasure. So please, if you spot a mistake in my writing, feel free to point out the error of my way.
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