What should I of done!?

relic

A couple of things that annoy me are comma splices, bad grammar, poor spelling and disorganised writing.

I do however find it funny when all the above problems are apparent in a post complaining about the use of 'have' and 'of'.

fluffnutter

I've discovered the unhappy way that this isn't something that you can discuss without upsetting people. Personally I feel good written communication's important - of course on an internet forum it's not life or death, but I still can't help making assumptions about someone's general level of education if their grammar's poor. It's not about whether they're a good person, or a bad person, or nice, or worthwhile or anything like that - it's merely about their education. But, Lordy, expressing an opinion like that? Some people really don't like it.

ShaneUK

There are many things that on a forum people will complain about, to list a few

• spelling
• grammer
• txt spk
• SHOUTING
• Not using capitals where required
• Using caPitals when nOt required
• Not using paragraphs
• And the list could go on.

But - at the end of the day - is it REALLY a problem? As long as the context is there, and the reader can follow the gist of what is being said and asked, then there is not a problem.

In some instances, it could be down to a typo, lack of knowledge, or a medical condition (ie dyslexia, poor eye sight).

None of us are perfect, and we all make mistakes. Frequently, the spelling/grammer etc mistakes are made by those complaining about others making a mistake - how ironic for example, not naming names at all, but throughout this thread there are spelling errors, apostrophes missing, grammatical errors etc., but it isnt hampering the reading of this thread.

Remember the number one rule on here - "Be nice to all MoneySavers" - and to me, that includes spelling, grammer etc. There are frequently threads on here about this, picking up on others people mistakes. It will drive people away for fear of being picked on, not everyone has broad shoulders.

3v3

Problems arise, ShaneUK, when people write a post where they mean one thing, but write another and the context disappears. Either the person is using words they do not fully understand the meaning of, or maybe they use the wrong spelling of a word which has several meanings; this then leads to misunderstandings, some people taking umbridge and, no matter how "nice" to another moneysaver you intended, can get blown out of all proportion.

So, in some cases, it can be a real problem.

3v3

CoolHotCold wrote: »

Yo, mz Hom13z, i dinna expct 2 b diss'd b-hind my bk yo?

LOL

I'm not sure which is worse: you writing it, or me understanding it! :rotfl:

3v3

vuvuzela wrote: »

'Young people' ? I was at secondary school in the mid 80s and it was in common use then, sadly...

Wasn't in common use in grammar schools in the '80's though

zax47

Errm, surely in the original example the word "of" has been used incorrectly instead of "have" 3 times, not just twice? It's been used wrongly in the last instance too.

lovebargainshatewaste

The first part of this post might upset some, but this isn't my intention.

Yes, bad grammar and spelling does wind me up a bit. Why? Well, English isn't my first language and I can write properly (most of the time ), so why not make the effort? Some examples:

Their - they're - there
Accept - except
Your - you're
Apostrophes where not needed
The "of" issue already mentioned
Our - are
Etc etc

However

I wouldn't dream of criticising someone for getting it wrong on a forum. I might point a friend in the right direction if needed, but not strangers on a forum. That would be mean and unneccessary. I might mutter to myself but there's no way I would embarrass someone by pointing out their mistakes on a forum.

This board is for everyone, and needs to be inclusive, as long as people play by the rules and are nice, polite and not disruptive to a degree where it upsets others. One of the reasons why I like this forum, really

Barneysmom

ShaneUK wrote: »

There are many things that on a forum people will complain about, to list a few

• spelling
• grammer
• txt spk
• SHOUTING
• Not using capitals where required
• Using caPitals when nOt required
• Not using paragraphs
• And the list could go on.

But - at the end of the day - is it REALLY a problem? As long as the context is there, and the reader can follow the gist of what is being said and asked, then there is not a problem.

In some instances, it could be down to a typo, lack of knowledge, or a medical condition (ie dyslexia, poor eye sight).

None of us are perfect, and we all make mistakes. Frequently, the spelling/grammer etc mistakes are made by those complaining about others making a mistake - how ironic for example, not naming names at all, but throughout this thread there are spelling errors, apostrophes missing, grammatical errors etc., but it isnt hampering the reading of this thread.

Remember the number one rule on here - "Be nice to all MoneySavers" - and to me, that includes spelling, grammer etc. There are frequently threads on here about this, picking up on others people mistakes. It will drive people away for fear of being picked on, not everyone has broad shoulders.

I agree. But forums have been around long enough now for people to know that Should Of is just wrong. It annoys the nicest of folk.

shaun_from_Africa

I don't think that there is anything wrong with correcting the grammar or spelling of another poster (provided it is not done in a nasty way) if the mistake was going to be sent in a letter or e-mail.

I've never worked in a customer services department, but I would have thought that a well presented letter/e-mail with correct spelling and grammar may well get a better result than one which was full of errors.