Why is fluther so picky about grammar?
Asked by
flip86 (
6213
)
June 15th, 2013
I didn’t capitalize Walmart and my question got sent to me for editing. I can understand typo’s and outright horrible sentence structure and spelling, but does it really matter if Walmart is capitalized?
Yet, this question remains.
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33 Answers
Maybe a mod hasn’t gotten to that other question yet, or it was decided to cut that person some slack because it seems they likely are not a native English speaker.
They should be consistent. I really don’t care if the person is a native speaker or not. If they hold one user to a certain standard they should hold all users to the same standard.
@flip86 you also had a typo in your title. You had something other than public… I can’t remember what it was now. I added the capital for Walmart while you were there editing.
However, we do like to try to keep the writing standards high. Had it just been the lack of a capital for Walmart, I might have let it go but not with a typo in the question title. Many members here think the reasonably high standards in terms of grammar, spelling, punctuation etc. are what sets the site apart from others.
I have been working on my real job and haven’t had chance to go and look at any new questions here yet. As @bookish1 said, while we do try to be reasonably understanding where English is obviously a member’s second language, in the end we are all held to the same standards. We will try to help people who are struggling at least while they get used to the expectations.
Please remember all the mods here are volunteers. There isn’t always going to be someone monitoring the site so things may sit unchecked for a while.
@Bellatrix Yes, there was a misspelling in the title as well. I was overtired when I wrote the question. I just found it odd that you would also mention capitalizing walmart.
No hard feelings. Thanks for the response.
If they hold one user to a certain standard they should hold all users to the same standard.
No. I don’t think they should hold all users to the same standard. I think, as much as possible, mitigating circumstances such as whether or not English is the OP’s mother tongue, should be considered (Certain grammatical errors and sentence structures are usually a dead giveaway.) Anything else is ham fisted. And it should be at the discretion of the Moderator. If the moderator’s standards are out of sync with the community they will soon disappear. Easy peasy. So far, we’ve had great moderators.
My French and German is nearly non-existent, but the French and German sites I contribute to cut me a lot of slack, because they are interested in a foreign take on things. They want a broader spectrum of input. But when I’m communicating in my own language, I expect to be held to a higher standard, as should you.
We r usally purty anal bout teh grammer…
So we don’t have posts that look like ^^ that.
I’m not sure that we should hold everyone to the same standard. Many native speakers have trouble with writing and spelling. Not everyone is equally literate.
Great point, @morphail. Writing and spelling skills are often an indication of socioeconomic class, and the quality of education that people have been able to receive. And some people have learning or language disabilities as well.
Think of the criticism/correction as a chance to learn something. Its you’re goldern opportunity to learn the deference between your’ and your and they’re proper usage.
Ouch! My eyes hurt reading that!.
We’re just anal that way. ;)
On a serious note, proper writing is important on Fluther because it was important to our founders. It’s one of the major things that sets us apart from most similar sites, and that’s fine by us.
Because if it weren’t we’d be overrun by idiots who can’t spell.
It’s the difference between Fluther and other sites which couldn’t care less what you say and how you say it. It makes us sound like a more literate group because, for the most part, we are. Those who object, either shape up or leave for less critical sites. Sounds snobby, but, to each his own.
That is why I stopped asking question, @flip86. My questions weren’t returned for spelling, but for other reasons. Over and over again for one question. I just gave up. It wasn’t worth the effort of trying to get a question through.
If it weren’t, @bob_ ? I’d send that a back to you for editing. ~
Fluther should be capitalized.
“If it weren’t” is correct grammar.
I thought singular or plural determined whether to use “were not” or “was not,” @Jeruba.
Why is Fluther so picky…?
If it were not…
If it was not…
See, this is why I had things sent back to me for editing.
Are you flirting with me, @bob_ ?
@bkcunningham I was actually politely mocking your English skills.
Well, I am married. But mock away.
@bkcunningham, it’s not a matter of singular vs. plural. This is the subjunctive form of the verb (the subjunctive mood), in a use often referred to as “contrary to fact.” Ever hear someone say “If I were you, I’d…” or listen to the Cowardly Lion sing “If I Were King of the Forest”—or maybe Tevye with “If I Were a Rich Man”? Same thing: subjunctive.
No one’s picking on you, but if you criticize faultless grammar, someone’s bound to mention it.
In its own odd way the higher writing standards on this site help to keep riff raff off of it. Take a look at how sites like Sodahead, Yahoo Answers, Answerbag, etc have been taken over by flamers and trolls. I’m not great when it comes to writing skills myself and some of my questions have been sent back to me for editing.
I’ve always been a proficient speller (damn I used to win spelling contests in school) and reader, but for some odd reason I’ve always sucked at writing skills. I’ve been out of school for a long time, and my career path has been more technical/hands-on, so even when it comes to spelling or using the right version of a word I have just started to realize how rusty I really am. I still struggle with effect vs affect for some reason. Posting on sites like this one has helped me to some degree, but I still struggle.
If I were a betting person, I’d bet you’d like this site @Jeruba.
Properly punctuated, “typo’s” shouldn’t have an apostrophe. But to answer your question about grammatical “pickiness”, perhaps it’s because some of us older jellies, especially we who studied English in school and went on to become writers and editors, find it disheartening in this rapid-fire social media age to watch the grammar and punctuation rules and standards we learned disintegrating.
In addition, improper grammar and misplaced punctuation can lead to miscommunication.
I understand the need for people to write clearly and stick to certain rules, however at some point one does wonder if it is a question and answer site, or a grammar contest. More time is spent on grammar than actually reading the question and answering it I feel. This is not a negative comment just an observation.
Because it starts with walmart and ends with lolomgwtgdairyqueenlolomgbbtheq.
A stitch in time saves nine!
Fluther, please remain picky!
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