Social Question

rangerr's avatar

Does it bother you when people use poor spelling and grammar?

Asked by rangerr (15765points) December 15th, 2009

I feel like a complete jerk, but poor spelling and grammar especially with the high school and older crowd annoys the heck out of me.

Is it just because they are online that they don’t care, or is this not a main focus in early education anymore? Does it drive you crazy too?

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101 Answers

LeotCol's avatar

These answers are all going to be so careful of spelling and grammer haha

PretentiousArtist's avatar

Doesn’t really bother me. Just as long as I know what they are trying to say, I’m fine
Wow I’m becoming less pretentious everyday

Blondesjon's avatar

You ain’t a shittin’.

rangerr's avatar

@Blondesjon That doesn’t bother me. I’m from the country.

caly420's avatar

Yes. I’ve learned to tolerate improper spelling and grammar in text messages as may phones have a limit of 160 characters per text.

It Also Bothers Me When People Type Emails, Papers, or Texts Like This. :)

gggritso's avatar

5 points to @Blondesjon for correct use of apostrophes

Sarcasm's avatar

I don’t mind a mistake here and there. But people who consistently crap on the English language do make me frown.

Of course, I’m sure my own spelling would make ol’ Bill Shakespeare cry.

holden's avatar

I think that their annoying.

rangerr's avatar

@holden I lurve you.

Blondesjon's avatar

@gggritso . . . layers and layers of irony

holden's avatar

@rangerr you’re welcome.

spacemonkey's avatar

i try to be careful.i’m sound on the spelling but i forget complete words sometimes so i re-read and repeat before hitting to “send” button

gemiwing's avatar

It depends on my mood if it drives me crazy or not. I will say, as snobby as it sounds, I do view them differently if their grammar and spelling truly are atrocious.

asmonet's avatar

Oh my, yes.

No one is perfect, but some people are complete failures of their own choosing.

missyb's avatar

No, it doesn’t really bother me, but I do notice it. What really bothers me is that text-talk stuff. A few lol’s and omg’s are fine, but when almost every word is like that I just want to reach through my moniter and beat someone over the head with a dictionary.

laureth's avatar

Actually, it does. I try to gloss over it, but if someone has a poorly spelled or badly written piece, it says one of two things to me: (1) that they couldn’t be arsed to write it properly, so I probably shouldn’t be arsed to read it, or (2) they don’t know any better, so they probably aren’t going to produce anything interesting enough to read.

I know this is pretty stuck-up of me, though, but it’s also true more often than not. Sorry.

butterflykisses's avatar

Well I cannot point fingers as I am guilty as charged. English is my second language, sign language was my first. Even though I am a hearing person. My English is bad, and my spelling even worse as we did not use correct spelling when signing, we signed so quickly that many letters were often left out of the spelled word, causing me serious problems in learning the right way to spell. American Sign language is a broken English type of language and often I catch myself saying something that makes total sense to me (I think in sign) but no sense to anyone else. ASL also does not use many words that are needed in spoken english such as the word “the.”

I apperciate any help I get but I hate it when I am made to feel like a fool about it as I really am trying, it is just a bit hard for me. If you see my mistakes please do take me aside, I do want the help.

DominicX's avatar

A little bit, yes. Only because using bad spelling and grammar decreases the understandability of what the person is saying.

laureth's avatar

@buttkisses – Your English is better than many native speakers I’ve met.

Justnice's avatar

It bothers me alot. My friends make fun of me because even when I text, im very proper. What bothers me even more is when people say things like lol or omg in real life conversations. Why can’t they just laugh or say oh my god! It’s so annoying. It bugs me just thinking about it

Jude's avatar

Yes. Oh, and, I can’t stand the text speak.

PretentiousArtist's avatar

i luv this thred

asmonet's avatar

@buttkisses: See, darling, you were most definitely not in the failure group. You speak well, and you care. That’s enough.

rangerr's avatar

@gemiwing @PretentiousArtist It’s going to make me insane.

butterflykisses's avatar

@laureth—Thank you, I am native lol just took a while to learn how to speak properly via therapy , years of therapy.—

aprilsimnel's avatar

Nt as mch as txt spk.

tinyfaery's avatar

How many times does this question need to be asked? Really.

absalom's avatar

I’m sure I know what prompted this question. I saw it and was only amused and, later, a little concerned. But as long as I can understand him, I don’t mind someone’s poor grammar. Earnestness is more important. If that, um, makes sense. Just don’t make mistakes when insulting me, or I will make fun of you. And don’t make mistakes while telling others they’ve made a mistake. makemakemakemake

Blondesjon's avatar

@tinyfaery . . . oh! oh! I know! Uh . . . 9!

Blackberry's avatar

Oh god yes. I can’t stand slang on the net or in real life, well I don’t care really as long as I know the person actually knows english.

butterflykisses's avatar

@Blackberry what if they don’t know it that well?

PretentiousArtist's avatar

im in your threds
butcherin englsh language

MacBean's avatar

@Justnice: ”My friends make fun of me because even when I text, im very proper.

I laughed.

gemiwing's avatar

I do think there’s a difference between someone who is trying, and cares, versus someone who is lazy. There’s an air about it that changes.
It’s the difference between-
LOLZOMG YOU has 2 reed THIS!!!!!@
and
Oh Wow….you read this now!

It’s subtle but it’s there.

LocoLuke's avatar

@Justnice Ha! same here! Even for texting, today a large number of phones have qwerty keyboards (iphones, blackberries, almost any handheld), so I don’t really see the point in “txt spk”. Sure, you have a 160 character limit, but when the majority of your texts consist of texts like, “Yea, I’m open on Friday for a movie,” I can’t find a way to justify mutilating written language.

Facade's avatar

It bothers me, but correcting it lets me exercise my snootiness and pretension. teehee

Blackberry's avatar

@buttkisses Then I look down on them, to be honest, or I want to lecture them. If were supposed to speak or write in such a dumb way, then it would be universal.

ShiningToast's avatar

It drives me up the wall. I think that since people are online, they don’t care.

Case in point: This was directed at me after I told this girl on Fluther that I could hardly read her posts.

__“ok I also have a life and im just trying to help someone. i dont have time nor do i care about punctuation or grammar on here, its not an english paper.” – One Who Shall Remain Nameless__

rangerr's avatar

@Blackberry asdfghjklkjhgfdsasdfghjkjhgfdsasdfghjk

butterflykisses's avatar

@blackberry I respect your honesty, but will say there are some who speak “English” that are native and only ever spoke “english” but in a different form, like me. It is pretty Universal to speak American Sign Language amoung those who are deaf.

PretentiousArtist's avatar

@ShiningToast OH SHI- that was hilarious!

Blackberry's avatar

@rangerr I’m not so gullible as to think you’re serious lol.

ShiningToast's avatar

@PretentiousArtist Do you remember that thread? It was where grammar went to die.

PretentiousArtist's avatar

No idea, but that just made my day. The “english paper” comment killed me.

rangerr's avatar

@Blackberry I just didn’t have words for your comment about who you look down on, but I still felt the need to comment.

MacBean's avatar

My general rule is: If I understand what you’re trying to say, that’s good enough for me. I have a little internal twitch when people mess up there/their/they’re and things like that, but I don’t usually feel the need to correct them. When people start throwing in punctuation that changes the meaning of what they’re saying, or when they use the incorrect words, then I become bothered.

@Blackberry: I think @rangerr was keysmashing in frustration/disbelief over your opinion… (Edit: Oh, look. I was right…)

ShiningToast's avatar

@PretentiousArtist Oh me too. I stopped following that thread after that, I was really starting to loose my cool.

Blackberry's avatar

@buttkisses No, sorry. Misunderstanding. I just hate when people type like this: “I wnt 2 c u next wiikend” lol.

PretentiousArtist's avatar

Also I love toast
shine on you crazy toast
All right seriously, I’ll stop threadjacking

Jacket's avatar

No, it doesn’t bother me. I have beer.

butterflykisses's avatar

@Blackberry no problem…text talking drives me crazy too, I cannot read it, the numbers and the combo of the two just sizzles my brain, I can’t read it and make sense of it, but I respect those that can.

MacBean's avatar

MOMENTARY THREAD HIJACKING. Do you toast-lovers know The Toast Song?

LocoLuke's avatar

Texting while driving? I’ve never understood how people could manage that.

Blondesjon's avatar

d035 th15 m4k3 m3 01d?

delirium's avatar

It drives me absolutely insane, UNLESS the person is a non-native speaker. If the person is ESL, I completely excuse the situation, especially if they’re trying to learn to do better.

75movies's avatar

Meh. The folks in question don’t last long and are replaced with others who won’t either. Neither set of folks will learn from this question so… I’ll assume it’s simply for venting purposes and say, meh.

Cotton101's avatar

I don’t give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way. ~Mark Twain

Jude's avatar

J0n,y0u ar3 ju2t a b@by..

gailcalled's avatar

My newest bĂŞte-noir is the latest spate of run-on sentences and small-case “i”‘s.

why is it necessary to write like this, is it because of laziness or lack of skills, i really want to know, i also hate the repetition, i guess that saying the same thing over and over really convinces people that I (oops. i) am right lol 25!,and let’s not forget the “hello gail” without the commas around gail.

rangerr's avatar

@MacBean The guy who wrote that song performed at a church conference a few years ago. I split my head open when I fell back into the chair laughing.

arnbev959's avatar

As long as I can understand what someone is trying to communicate without putting in too much effort, I’m good with it. Half the time my brain doesn’t even pick up minor mispellings. Sentence structure is very important—I need a verb and a subject in places that make grammatical sense. Capitalization too is important. I hate reading all caps or all lowercase. Other than that, if I can get the gist without having to stop and “decode” the message, it doesn’t bother me. Liek jonesblonde. I dont no wat hes sayin lol. He must be old or somthin XD (Oh! and paragraph breaks! I hate when I’m faced with a wall of text. My eyes can’t take it.)

gemiwing's avatar

@gailcalled The run-ons bother me too because they’re so hard to read. I also hate them because I was notorious for them in school. Sometimes red marks haunt me in my nightmares.

gailcalled's avatar

@p the p: I forgot about the wall of text. Good metaphor.

Blondesjon's avatar

@gailcalled . . . Ihmettelin, kun se saapuu.

gggritso's avatar

Run-on and incoherent sentences bug me most of all. I’m ok with poor grammar as long as clarity isn’t sacrificed. I remember the “What can we do to communicate better as humans?” thread, where @MacBean posted ”Be clear and concise.” I almost peed my pants with happiness and appreciation.

Cotton101's avatar

someone once said, “there are a lot of educated fools!” Seems to me, the substance of one’s character mean more than spelling, writing, etc!

gailcalled's avatar

They are really two different issues. You can have character, integrity, be a model of probity and also start a sentence with a capital letter.

gemiwing's avatar

@Cotton101 I think we can all agree on that. I don’t believe anyone brought into doubt anyone’s character, just their spelling and grammar.

Cotton101's avatar

@gemiwing, that is a given, but some putting my light on the subject (hope that is ok). My grandfather had a second grade education, but his accomplishment were unreal. My comment was based on my grandfather’s comments. He was a very wise man, but could not spell and certainly had poor grammer. So, having said that, what is the big deal about grammer and spelling?

Personally like what Mark Twain said, I don’t give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way. ~Mark Twain

gailcalled's avatar

@blondsjon: Tallenna paras viimeiseksi. In another decade or so I might actually understand this language.

Cotton101's avatar

@rangerr, very good question. It really bothers me also about the younger people not getting those basics early in school. Have always thought the first three grades should have the best teachers. Also, smaller classes. If our children get a good foundation early, could mean all the difference in how they turn out in life.

Gave some “flippity answers” earlier, but i have one fault, like to pull people’s chain, just a little. loll.. But, meant no disrespect to your question. Again, it was an excellent question and a better observation on your part!

Berserker's avatar

It doesn’t bother me, as long as I can understand what’s being said. Nothing wrong with a few mistakes or grammatical anomalies.
Bad spelling doesn’t mean the person presenting it has nothing worthwhile to say, and I find it sad that the contrary is usually defined on online communities.

What bothers me is grammar Nazis, especially online, who totally disregard the topic of discussion to insult someone with crap spelling. It’s just so lame.

Incidentally, my first language is French, and I learned proper English spelling (Grammar, not so much.) by being online because people wouldn’t listen and respect me if I forgot to capitalize something. Hell I still get shit about my European spelling fashion. Don’t even dare spell the word “saber” on a Final Fantasy forum as sabre.

But yeah, I’m not gonna rant about it, but no it doesn’t bother me at all, unless the person obviously puts no effort in their wording, or uses online lingo and abbreviations for everything.

Answerbag was horrible for that for example. People there thought that they won a debate on abortion after pointing out a mistake you made. I’m only posting my rant here because, despite the fence sides, I think peeps here are a lot more patient and willing to listen.

With that said, academic competence doesn’t encompass the entirety of wisdom and knowledge, and those who think as such are complete fools who need to be dismissed.

Woop, righteous contradiction lulz.

SirGoofy's avatar

Especially when they have informed me that they’ve got a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree. THAT bothers me.

tinyfaery's avatar

Me has both those.

breedmitch's avatar

@Cotton101: Ha ha! “grammer”

Cotton101's avatar

loll…ok, you win at “gotcha!”

Cotton101's avatar

oh, that was gemiwing’s bad…just caught that….zoooommmmmmm, as it went over my head! thought it was my mispelled word! thanks Breedmitch!

Cotton101's avatar

loll..wrong again..found it..poor grammer.

“So, having said that, what is the big deal about grammer and spelling?”

ok, you win!

breedmitch's avatar

Not a contest, just good irony

NaturalMineralWater's avatar

Et dosnt bether me et alll .. speeling is ovratd .. nd dfntly so are mst vwls….

augustlan's avatar

Yes. More than it should.

MacBean's avatar

@gggritso: Always happy to cause a little joy! Preferably without loss of bladder control, but… I’ll take what I can get!

Shatzee's avatar

Yes! But I have always been a naturally good speller and understandably, others are not. It’s one thing when you are typing to hit a wrong key and end up with a mispelled word such as “teh instead of the” but when the words are so mispelled it looks like a 4 year old banging on the keyboard, I hate that. I also hate it when people “text type” online too. And I am also taking 3 college classes right now and they are all so very picky about spelling and grammar.

lillycoyote's avatar

Most of the time, yes, very much. But there are some people I like a lot, who don’t do the grammar and spelling thing all that well… I let them slide. :) But I never correct people. I just grit my teeth and grumble under my breath. Unless they are on T.V. and then I shout at them.

augustlan's avatar

@lillycoyote I yell at billboards.

breedmitch's avatar

I once wrote the Jello pudding company when they ended a sentence with a preposition on their box.
I understand that this bit of syntax is now considered acceptable, but I’m a fuddy duddy.

randomness's avatar

It really depends. A few mistakes here and there are perfectly acceptable. We are all human, and we are all prone to the occasional error.

How ever it dos buther me wen ppl seem 2 hv noooooo ideas what their saying, And When they use, weirdly pLaced capital letters and’ punctuation.!

lillycoyote's avatar

@breedmitch LOL. I’ve never gone that far but I’m certain that, even if I become completely disabled, I will never buy a scooter from the “Scooter Store” because on their commercials they claim to help people who are “limited by their moblilty.” That one makes me crazy. The only instance I know of where someone has been limited by his or her mobility is in the fairy tale “The Red Shoes, ” where the young girl, after putting on the red shoes, is unable to stop dancing, thus rendering her unable to do anything else, and that, as stated, is just a fairy tale.

Cotton101's avatar

@breedmitch, ditto…just trying to have a little fun with the Q & A!

mattbrowne's avatar

Depends on the context. In a business context it would bother me a great deal. Otherwise, no. It tells me something about that person.

azlotto's avatar

Not at all because nobody’s perfect.

Sarcasm's avatar

@azlotto I had no idea that knowing the difference between “your” and “you’re” meant you are perfect.

Kideme's avatar

If you asked me, say, maybe 6 years ago, I would have said no, but then again, I used to be one of those ignoramuses at that time too. At first, I couldn’t understand what the big deal was typing ‘u’ instead of you, but then as I got more mature and more into talking to people over the internet, I saw how annoying it was to decipher what people were saying when they were being too lazy to type proper English. It’s like I need an Idiots to English translator!

Now, I don’t mind the whole punctuation thing IE: your/ you’re; dont/don’t, etc. The caps thing doesn’t bother me, and I’ve come to accept that 80% of people on the internet [and the English speaking world for that matter] think that ‘their’ and ‘they’re’ is spelled like ‘there’.....but when you completely transform words or have me convinced that I’m talking to a 3 year old is when I have a problem.

The best example I could give, is I was talking to someone from school, I can’t remember what we were talking about, but his putrid grammar and writing skills I could never forget. Here are some things he said:

‘y u do thaaa’ – ‘Why’d you do that?’

im goin 2 skool -‘I’m going to school.’

u no i lyke u so y u wit sum1 else – ‘You know I like you, so why are you with someone else?’

This guy is in college! I wanted to strangle him the entire time, and I eventually blocked him after a few IM conversations. My dad can barely count to 10 and he types better than that.

So, to answer your question, yes, bad, EXTREMELY bad, grammar and spelling does piss me off. People, if you’re a computer junkie like all the rest of us, learn some English, because if you don’t, no one that’s worth a d@#& will want to talk to you, you will have more friends in the long run, and you will live longer.

delirium's avatar

I’ll admit that I have met people who I was really attracted to with whom I started talking to online and they typd lyke dis all d time. All attraction is immediately gone. Poof.

I may be a bit of a snob, though.

gailcalled's avatar

@delirium: Keep in mind that snob is bons bons backwards..sort of.

delirium's avatar

@gailcalled Which is the plural of candy in french?

gailcalled's avatar

@delirium: Un bonbon; des bonbons;

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