Grammar Errors?

Question

When you see a grammar error, how does it make you feel about the poster? I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT TYPOS. I'm talking about not knowing that "you're" means  you are , and "its" means something belonging to "it".

CrazyGirl2 · Accepted Answer

I’m definitely not a “Grammar Natsi” (I know the correct spelling, but I’m Jewish, so I am NOT diluting the very real impact THAT word has on a great many people)!

When I see native English speakers who clearly don't know the difference between “THEN” and THAN” (which seems to be a relatively new one) that really bothers me. When I see someone who doesn't know the difference between “THEIR”, “THERE”, and “THEY’RE”, or between “YOUR”, and “YOU’RE”, I start to think maybe they’re lying about graduating high school, let alone earning that college degree they claim to have! However, when I see someone who does not even know the difference between “PACIFIC” and the word “SPECIFIC” (in writing)! Then yes, I begin to think they are just stupid! I mean, do they NOT see the red spellcheck lines under all those misspelled words, or the blue context-check lines under all the incorrect uses of those other words? I think the issue is that most people just don't care! Which speaks volumes about their lack of commitment to just get it right! (Again, that only leads me to doubt the veracity of that college degree they claim to have earned!) The issue for (at least) Gen-Z members like myself, is that our English teachers (or language arts now) don’t know correct comma placement themselves. (Which, thanks to them, is my personal weakness), and they’ll actually say “Let me be pacific, you ONLY write it this way it under these circumstances!” So what chance does my generation have? Now, apparently some colleges, especially undergraduate, are increasingly not grading on grammar! As long as you met the word number requirement, and tried, you get an “A”!

However, having been completely screwed by autocorrect myself! Especially when using voice to text! Combined with the fact that the good people of GAG do not allow us to edit, or even delete errant posts, to redo them. I don’t make too big of a deal of it. Also I cannot ever remember ever correcting anyone over bad grammar… Well, except for trolls! I will definitely in-turn troll the hell out of them for every single grammatical and spelling mistake in their post!

But I do completely understand your frustration! Words matter, and words have a specific meanings. Using the wrong word can easily change the meaning of what they wrote, or at best make it vague! Constantly using the wrong word, for example someone writing “let me be pacific, the Specific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth” repeatedly, while I doubt I’d say anything to them, internally I’m really wondering how they ever actually graduated college without knowing the difference between the name of an ocean, and being precise and clear in their statements… But yes, after two or three similar grammatical errors, I do start to think they might just be stupid after all!

I hope this helps, and adds something to the conversation.
Sincerely, Laura 🤗

TheRealPepperPotts · Accepted Answer

I used to feel that way, and I am ashamed to say I did mock people for it, once upon a time. But I realized it wasn't as much about the grammar as it was about me wanting to appear and feel superior to others. It was immature on my part to judge people for it.

I've known people who were extremely intelligent who weren't gifted in the technicalities of writing, but they had such a vast knowledge of life and such a wealth of experience that it was irrelevant. I have also read many books that, while technically grammatically perfect, were a bore. I remember one time I read a book by an editor about how to write that was absolutely amazing and a wonderful resource. Then, I read a novel he wrote. The novel was just plain bad. It was technically perfect, but the story just dragged. There wasn't enough life in the writing to entertain while the story took a nap. But, he was an editor, not a storyteller. He had skills that were a tremendous help to people. But he didn't have the talent in that particular area.

That is why we need each other. People with great ideas need others who can critique and streamline those ideas into something both useful and relatable. I hear what you are saying, and poor grammar can be distracting sometimes. But it is not the sole marker of intellect, or lack thereof. Just my perspective! :)

Lliam · Accepted Answer

Some grammatical and spelling errors are obviously due to pure ignorance; lack of education. And, yes, I look down on such people.

I have a cousin who had the same opportunities as did my sister and I. But she turned out to be uneducated trailer trash and her daughters are worse. But, now, speaking ghetto and sounding illiterate when texting makes them feel hip and cool.

On the other hand, I cut people slack because I don't know where they live in the world or if English is their first language. I give them credit for being bilingual.

Then there is spell check.

There are also typos. Sometimes my fingers to things automatically without my brain catching it. Every time I proof read what I write, I find errors.

So I'm not too hard on people. To do so is a demonstration of superiority.

Kaneki05 · Accepted Answer

If one seriously judges upon that it makes me think they are compensating for their own lack of intellect.
It's like a guy talking about penis size a lot.
I don't care longs if it's readable, then my spelling is awful due to dyslexia which I do care about as I think spelling is more important, however anyone with 2 cents of logic can figure out a spelling mistake.

Also the irony is they are always wrong, trying to grammar police while not doing it themselves. I remember someone pointing out my grammar, meanwhile I am just here like if your gonna be petty then so am I 'Oh yeah? Where's your Capitals and full stops buddy?' and that's that.

Account · Answer

Lol the results.

People can't grasp the fact that there are people whose first language isn't English. Sometimes I wonder people who form such opinions whose English is their 1st language, how many languages do they actually speak? And are their language skills in other languages they have learned as adequate as the person who made that "horrendous" mistake? Jesus fucking christ this is maddening

RebelinSteel · Answer

My auto correct on my iPad is dyslexic.
I can put in were and it autocorrects to we’re , it does some other random words as well. Then there is the bottle of wine and some Gin and Tonics, my grammar botheration level is none existent, as is my spelling.
then of course there is this thing on GaG of shoving a question mark after some words and assuming it makes a well formed question.

you will often find that those who have English as a second language and have written as well as oral are often very good with grammar, whereas us native speakers are just really lazy lol.

SotiCoto · Answer

Common errors bug me a lot more than rare ones.
If someone misspells a particularly rare word I might not even notice, and even I'm not entirely sure how to correctly use a semicolon... but if they write "your" instead of "you're", I can't ignore it. I just can't.

Intention also matters somewhat. People who are obviously doing things out of laziness (like writing "u" instead of "you") annoy me a lot more than people who do things out of personal quirkiness.

But most important of all is repetition. Consistency. Someone who makes a mistake once just slipped. Someone who makes the same mistake constantly is likely misinformed. Someone who makes the same mistake constantly and gets hostile or dismissive when it is corrected is undoubtedly an irredeemable idiot.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I am a stickler for the correct usage of languages (influenced by my jobs, but not only). It's a sign of both disrespect for others and for yourself to vomit out some error-laden word salad in the direction of readers. Non-native writers make mistakes, I get that, I had to learn e. g. English as a foreign language. But what's the excuse of people growing up with their native language? Too much television and not enough books in their parental home? Hell, read a newspaper once a week!

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

I used to get upset about 'em. Not as much anymore since I now usually remind myself that a lot of people here aren't from English-speaking nations which kinda explains their errors.

Here's an "equivalent" yet not-entirely-similar question I posted about 5 years ago:

Can you please check your posts?

I, too, am guilty of failing to proof-read my opinions.

1073sucks · Answer

It’s bothersome to see so I can’t say it “doesn’t matter” it does to s certain level. but I don’t automatically label the person stupid.

they likely didn’t pay attention in class when this was taught or have difficulty differentiating things such as these. i tent I refer or think of someone as stupid when they lack commonsense and just go with the herd because it’s what’s seems the “right” thing to do/say/or follow.

you can’t determine intelligence and stupidity based on how someone reads and writes but rather what they say and do.
One that bothers me more THAN the others is then and than. I’ll find it irritating but I won’t label you stupid for it.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't have a problem with it. I know the difference between to, too, and two. And there and thier etc. And I have on occasion still put in the wrong one. Maybe I was typing to fast and it didn't occur to me till I re-read it later. Because I'll admit I do have a nasty habit of not proof reading my posts before entering. I just people are like me in that are. And as long as I can understand what they're trying convey I don't care. I hate grammar nazis.

For what it's worth I was a D student in English classes and most of my English teachers hated me. But I won a writing contest two years in a row when I was in school where they chose one student from each grade to go to a writers conference at the state college. I think it's worth noting I only entered twice. So maybe I suck with the mechanics, the punctuation. But I must not be too bad at making myself understood.

strateguy632 · Answer

i think grammar police are stupid.

even teachers should only mark serious stuff but not in college, in casual writing those grammar police are just bossy n too judgmental. because people are less careful in casual.

in your picture "their" not underlined by spell check... therefore good enuf.

dustybiker2 · Answer

If I audio text it will often put the wrong version. I'll correct it and it will change it back to incorrect. The ludicrous behaviors I have experienced with American English teachers leaves me completely nonjudgemental. If I know someone came from Europe/other and does mistakes I would think they were having a bad day and missed it.

loveslongnails · Answer

Poor grammar doesn't indicate stupidity to me. You can be very intelligent but lack writing skills and/or not have received or understood the lessons necessary for good grammar. Add to that the fact that English is particularly difficult, even as a native language. It seems to me that stupid people invariably have poor grammar, but having poor grammar doesn't necessarily mean you're stupid!

Other issues occur using voice to text programs, as on our phones. I don't always proof read the messages if I'm pressed for time, and they're often rife with grammatical errors! On the phone however, people are very aware of the "autocorrect demons" and you don't catch as much grief. LOL

purplepoppy · Answer

I give them a hug and say, "There, their, they're, it'll be alright."

TadCurious · Answer

I think they're poorly educated. One of my pet peeves is when some people think you make a noun plural by adding apostrophe -- s.

Example:

WRONG: The woman has two cat's.
CORRECT: The woman has two cats.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

If the point is understood, it doesn't matter, because the entire language is nonsensical in how it's structured anyway.

If effort was made to make it logical, then I'd care about minor grammatical errors. Until then it just needs to be legible.

sage2021 · Answer

As a secretary it bothers me, but I don't think it's that bad if someone doesn't know all the grammar rules. We are only human.
I think we have more important things that bug us, like America 🇺🇸 falling apart.

AviatorTom · Answer

I see grammar errors, which I personally try to avoid, but I also know that auto-correct very often changes what we type. I've seen auto-correct on some systems that seems to think that it's is a possessive of it.

Fireguy17 · Answer

It matters. I don't think less of them. It's just that they were probably just not taught that in school, or English might not be their first language.  The English language is pretty tough to learn.

GeminiDiamond · Answer

I've typed out stuff in a hurry plum. My autocorrect is 90% smart. Sometimes the dumbassness is there. Sometimes I correct it, sometimes I just let it ride. I look dumb. Idc. I know me

TheorionMage · Answer

SOMETIMES... the medium IS indicative of the Messenger's life experience---

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

I know I purposely don't use periods on what I say cause it slows down my typing lol

genericname85 · Answer

meh. it's a second language to me so i probably shouldn't complain too loudly about it xD

CrabCakes11 · Answer

I don’t care about other people’s usage of grammar, but it does make it harder for me to understand then due to a language disorder

Anonymous · Answer

Your right, their making me crazy with the bad grammer, its just awful 😕

onedarkcloud · Answer

At least they have an idea of what they want to say. They at least have half of an education and maybe they can read cursive writing. When New Graduates come looking for jobs with their WOKE DEGREES they are not going to fare well!

Pterodon · Answer

Grammar or education or lack of it means nothing to me. Everyone has something to give

msc545 · Answer

It makes me think the person is uneducated, careless, or both.

Hannajenky · Answer

Mixture of both. It’s not the end of the world but if it is continuous and egregious I probably wouldn’t be amused

Nikki1989 · Answer

It is annoying, but we are only human. Mistakes happen.

Dongie · Answer

Yeah it does. But I know the difference between them and have still made the mistake. Did not know it until somebody told me.

MacDaddyRico · Answer

Not necessarily stupid, but just ignorant perhaps. Or perhaps it comes from texting so much. Like typing ty instead of thank you, etc.

noohair · Answer

Some mistakes or worst than others. But it bothers me some.

BCRanger10 · Answer

It's quite annoying.

NathanDavis · Answer

it doesn't really matter

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