Why is using proper grammar such a problem for some people?

Because my brain is better at Quantum Physics than it ever was with grammar and punctuation. that’s why but mostly I’m just too lazy to care. I actually had learning dissabilities that when I was in school weren’t diagnosed. They didn’t have things like ADHD and ADD to classify people and I struggled in the basic years horribly.

I can execute it properly when and where I need to but for me, for some reason it actually does take effort to think about it, those brain center activities are not on automatic for me like they are for so many other people.

I usually get singled out for it as if doing that is going to change me into a super grammar hero like the mighty Verb as though pointing it out will make me stop. blah nay, nay, nay.

*But I am rather good at Quantum Physics and quantum theory so… Not everyone can say that and I can also screw up grammar and punctuation in a few languages so… Not everyone can say that either.

Probably because it is more of a struggle for some people. I’m not especially good at grammar, but I do adhere to the rules that I know. Though, some people ignore the very basic rules, so who knows.

Because you have to always be on your guard, yes…and not ALWAYS try to act like your writing a freakin’ composition when all you need to do is ask a QEUSTION! (for gosh sakes)...and the fact that I don’t want to be an over-bearing snob that always has to be annoyingly corrective when all I need to be is carefree and without constraining RULES. That’s why. But one still has to know their limits and be clear when writing as I think I have been, much to the chagrin of others here :^P. Some people out there happen to think grammer is not all that easy to understand but want to be part of this still interesting site. Have some compassion for pete’s sake. So then if you want to label me a social grammer-basher I suppose that it’s equally fair for those of you who disagree with me. Yep.

Me not sure.

Honestly, it’s fun to misuse grammar and pronounce words incorrectly. Plus, if someone makes a big deal about it, I like to be annoying and say something wrong on purpose. I’m not sure why. I just don’t like it when people point out others’ mistakes.

Many people have grown up around people who don’t use proper grammar. So when they had grammar lessons it didn’t make much sense to them. It’s never too late to learn, but what’s the point if your “world” doesn’t follow the rules? Talking ‘good’ may seem to them like putting on airs.
D O E S N OT C O M P U T E .

Grammar is built into our brains—in general, but not in specific. If you up with non-standard grammar for your language or with another language, you won’t be able to handle standard English grammar. There are many different English grammars, but only one is recognized as standard. If you don’t grow up with it, you have to learn it, and learning grammar when you are old isn’t easy at all. The part of our brain that handles grammar is not longer flexible after about age 8 or so. Thereafter, it becomes much more difficult to learn a new grammar, even if you speak a dialect of the standard language.

I for one never picked it up in school. Long story. I wish my grasp on grammar was much stronger. I am a coma splicer.

@wundayatta We don’t teach English grammar structure until age 12 or so and it still is taught in high school, so I question your statement about brain flexibility. An 8 year old is usually in third grade. Common usage for common spoken error in that community are taught: I should’a brung my book, for example. The noun, verb, object sentences come later, as well as verb forms etc.

If a writer’s intentions are not to be published in the traditional sense (as in books), when expressing themselves passionately, while writing, should they always be concerned about being correct, grammatically?

@Mantralantis Of course not, but it’s still important to make it as readable as possible (assuming you want people to read it).

Perhaps there’s some element of regional or cultural distinction?

Woman I know is from New Orleans. Two degrees. Very intelligent, very well spoken. Writes very clearly.

Says “axed” instead of “asked” each and every time. She tells me, “that’s just how we say it in New Orleans”.

@Blackberry – Yes, you still have to be readable. But seemingly given that most of the reading population is not entirely grammer-oriented as I see it (those that are…are all here, no doubt) it makes perfect sense to me that the exact usage of grammer is not exactly… neccessary. A site such as this one perhaps because they WANT to be this way. But still…not everyone here will disagree with me. Even if their quiet.

I think some people have a natural ability to pick up language skills, just like some people have a natural ability to pick up math skills. I, for one, suck at math.

I actually blow at math.

I’d say it’s a combination of not knowing the rules of grammar and not caring. I try to speak as well as I know how, but I think everyone is going to make mistakes now and then.
@Sunny2 We (the kids at my private, Christian school) were taught grammar at a very young age (about 8 or 9). Diagramming sentences used to be my favorite thing to do as a kid. We also read from the King James Version of the Bible on a daily basis. I think that had a lot to do with our language skills… I noticed that when I went to high school, a public high school, the kids there were more advanced in mathematics than I was, and I was further along in grammar and overall writing skills. Interesting…

Ive reelly know ideer?

I’m kind of a language nerd, so grammar and spelling mistakes bother me a lot. I have to practically rewrite my husband’s assignments for him, but he helps me with math (at which I am pretty much a kindergartener).

Yes, for some people it is. Some people just don’t seem to have an aptitude for grammar.

For you it just is, while someone else might struggle with grammar every time they write. For that same person, physics might just be something they consider tacit knowledge, while for you it would be difficult.

Everyone is different.

I know for me, personally, it can pose problems because English is not my first language. That is if you meant in the context of Fluther.

Besides that I think people don’t give it enough importance. They think being understood is enough.

I appreciate that some don’t have the aptitude, but I resent the ones that are just too lazy to bother, as has been stated in a number of threads. If I know someone has honest difficulties, or if English is not their first language, fine, I’ll try. For the lazy ones, I just won’t bother to read. A little tip for those who simply don’t have the aptitude, write as you would talk. You’re probably saying things correctly out loud in conversation, try to bring that across to how you write.

@JilltheTooth I know, right?!

A lot has to do with family and environment. Many people (not all) tend to speak/use the same grammar like their family and friends, maybe because that’s who they relate to the most.

I honestly assume people were under the influence of alcohol or something if there is a blatant error. I never call anyone on a grammatical error, ever. I am always afraid I will find out that particular person has dyslexia or is speaking English as a second language.

What I have noticed on this site since joining is that there are several members with excellent vocabulary skills who will often teasingly point out an error, or try to give a helpful nudge to others. I am always shocked by the reactions; people often get very defensive when you point out a small error, and the conversations which start in jest escalate very quickly.

Peoplez b lazies. Dats y

@everephebe Coma splicers simply write, like they might actually speak. It’s a strange but common thing that i think the rules of speech should recognize in conjunction with the rules of writing.

@Imadethisupwithnoforethought I get VERY defensive depending on the person doing it. Some people are for all intents and purposes total tools about it, and some people are actually trying to help. The difference is subtle, and you can tell by the way they treat you overall, as if that were the only thing they might use to gague your intellectual ability and nothing else exists. They are the idiots I spit at… The nice helpful people (like most of the jellies here) I accept kindly and make the changes where and when I am able to.

@GabrielsLamb “Coma splicers simply write, like they might actually speak”
Maybe you could’ve typed it like this: “Coma splicers simply write like they might actually speak.” Take out the comma and use italics to emphasize certain words.

@Mantralantis: Perhaps throw the collective a bone and start by spelling “grammar” correctly. And conceding that “they’re,” “their” and there” mean three different things.

Is a comma splicer someone who stitches together sentences together like it would die (the sentence, that is) if someone were to bring it to a halt with a period or something like that that seems to be the death knell for most sentences that I have seen?

If not. What is? A comma splicer?

Because I don’t know.

I think those who find it a problem either truly don’t know or truly don’t care.

Oh, by the way… Did I mention I am too lazy to bother?

Kudos to the amelioration gang who actively look for people, and the things people do wrong to make themselves look better by proxy

@Facade That’s exacty why I often joke that I write like I might be doing a bad william Shattner impersonation. LOL In the very least I am very well aware of it. Which for some, only makes it worse.

@gailcalled – Why continue to let yourself bark and ride my own coatails? Perhaps, I’ve noticed some mistakes I’ve made already. And, yes, you have a valid point with some of my GRAMMAR (in all CAPS, did you like that, I hope so) as did others when I went back and checked.. But it seems I must still throw my bone at your collective rants. Guess what, the university called, they want THEIR english book back.

Either agree to a truce or don’t even bother reading my questions if it hurts your eyes so much.

Well, the “can’t be bothered” contingent has spoken. Good to know.

Oh! Brother, Where Art Thou…Spare Me! 8^P

@JilltheTooth:Put the kettle on. I’m on my way over.

@Mantralantis Seems like there is an element consisting of some types who enjoy following others around claiming they aren’t doing that…and making public examples of other peoples errors but you need to be you, do what you do, and I wouldn’t pay it any attention usless a moderator brings it up.

Ignore the ignorant! Basically, the totality of their intellectual prowess is based on rules and regulations and that simply means they are left brained troglydites and have little respect for artistic types that think outside of the box and still manage to get their point across.

Here… For you honey… Enjoy! It can be our anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEbmUNPyDBE

@GabrielsLamb – Well that was very insightful and comforting. And I will still be me, even if that means I still need a bit of a nudge every…now and again. Thanks, Gab!

@gailcalled : Kettle’s on, brandy and/or Grand Marnier warming as we speak.

Hey, I missed a gramwar.

But @rebbel , your very use of the word gramwar (did you make it up? I love it!) makes you a hero…

Yup, made it up five minutes ago. Thank you, @JilltheTooth !
<<Happy guy…, that is the second word I made up in my whole life :-)

Of course I do have to wonder why people choose to participate freely on a site that has very specific guidelines related to writing, then admit freely that they are just too lazy to abide by those guidelines, then make snide remarks to and about the people who care enough about the site to invoke those guidelines. Why here? There are so many places on the internet that don’t care at all, that have no guidelines whatsoever, that will not seek to “stifle” anyone.
Just curious.

@JilltheTooth: What? You don’t like being called a member of the “left brained troglydites (sic)”?

<grunt> ugga…glurf…mluk… Yep, by golly effn I don’ agree I mus’ be a drone. Jes like all dem Pulitzer winners!

@It’s an elite club… Membership only.

I have no idea if I use proper grammar or not. I try to and hopefully I succeed sometimes. Personally, I have other things in my life to direct my energy and attention to. I don’t feel the need to constantly second guess myself or to pick people apart online about their proper use of grammar or lack there of. <- (no idea if that was proper)
I do use spell-check, so… yippie, yippie, go me! ; )

This is a repeat, but it bears saying again:

As a mod, I really wish folks wouldn’t publicly nit-pick new members about their errors. Please, guys… be nice. Flag it and resist the urge. Thank you.

I will never understand how it is so hard for some people to simply accept someone for who they are. I could care less if someone uses proper grammar or not.
I believe everyone has a voice that deserves to be heard.

I guess grammar is a problem for some people for the same reason (or for a similar reason) that math is such a problem for me. I can’t get my head around math, and I don’t find it so unbelievable that some people can’t get their heads around grammar. Not to mention learning disabilities, or lack of proper instruction from an early age.