Their-There-They're

grayme-m

Your write their.

woofwoofwoof

pennypitstop wrote: »

Also, the mix up between

advice and advise,
practice and practise,
license and licence

is even more tricky but annoys me anyway when I read the wrong one!

(Usage is if it's spelt with a 'c' it's a noun (a thing) and if it's spelt with 's' it's a verb (you're doing it) -just to prevent any more headaches out there!)

:T Always wondered about that one!

tomstickland

What intrigues me is that some posters who keep making these errors expend more energy shouting about how it doesn't matter than it would take to learn the correct usage.

chocolatechipcookies

The apostrophe thing bugs me the most. Nobody knows how to use it anymore. :mad:

bestpud

Does it really bother you all that much?

I hate to see posts without punctuation, because they are difficult to read, but spelling isn't such a big issue is it?

Well, I know it's an issue for some, but why?

Is it because you are annoyed they haven't been taught properly, or do you think they are just lazy, or what?

If someone finds spelling difficult, would you say they should use a dictionary to post on internet forums?

Do you think posters should be corrected?

Does it help to have threads like this, where you can all have a rant and know you are not alone with your thoughts?

Please enlighten me! Why do you get so irritated by poor spelling?

moonrakerz

bestpud wrote: »

Does it really bother you all that much?

Please enlighten me! Why do you get so irritated by poor spelling?

I have a sense of personal pride. If I do something, I try and do it properly, be it writing a letter or tiling my bathroom.

Every one who has access to a PC has access to a multitude of word processors, spell checkers and dictionaries. If you can't be bothered to check if you have spelt "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" correctly (Google gave 320,000 hits on that !), why should I place too much reliance on the rest of your post about Mary Poppins ?

I recently went to Westonbirt Arboretum, in the car park was a beautifully sign-written trailer selling "Cornish Pasty's." Perhaps the person who paid for this wasn't aware of the error, perhaps the person who did it wasn't aware of the error - but a considerable amount of money changed hands for this very well painted and fitted out trailer. I am just mystified that no one, apparently, could be bothered to check the spelling/grammar in the sign writing.

If I were to pass a tyre shop labelled "Freds tyre's", I would keep going ! If they couldn't put up a sign correctly, could I be confident that they could do up my wheel nuts correctly ?

bestpud

moonrakerz wrote: »

I have a sense of personal pride. If I do something, I try and do it properly, be it writing a letter or tiling my bathroom.

Every one who has access to a PC has access to a multitude of word processors, spell checkers and dictionaries. If you can't be bothered to check if you have spelt "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" correctly (Google gave 320,000 hits on that !), why should I place too much reliance on the rest of your post about Mary Poppins ?

I recently went to Westonbirt Arboretum, in the car park was a beautifully sign-written trailer selling "Cornish Pasty's." Perhaps the person who paid for this wasn't aware of the error, perhaps the person who did it wasn't aware of the error - but a considerable amount of money changed hands for this very well painted and fitted out trailer. I am just mystified that no one, apparently, could be bothered to check the spelling/grammar in the sign writing.

If I were to pass a tyre shop labelled "Freds tyre's", I would keep going ! If they couldn't put up a sign correctly, could I be confident that they could do up my wheel nuts correctly ?

Now your last point I agree with! If someone is advertising their business then, yes, they should take the time to check for spelling errors. That stands whether it is an email, leaflet, website, sign, or anything else for that matter.

I too take pride in everything I do. In fact I have had to reduce my perfectionist ways while at uni! I find it amazing that students are prepared to hand in assignments without double checking the spelling and grammar.

But I would not dismiss a post in an internet forum due to poor spelling, any more than I would dismiss a person speaking because they have an accent which happens to irritate me. They could spell check everything but why for what is essentially a discussion?

If someone is starting a thread and wants responses, then I guess you're saying they will alienate the more pedantic amongst us if they don't check their spelling? That said though, the majority of us can see past spelling errors and will respond anyway, so it's not a big issue.

It's about putting things into perspective, I suppose. I know people who struggle with spelling and would find it more difficult while trying to contribute to a fast moving thread. Indeed, they would be put off posting on a site which criticised them. That is sad imo.

Your opinion is your opinion and I'm assuming you just ignore poorly spelt posts though, even if you could help?

mummyyummy_2

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1993-Toyota-Previa-2-2-TDi-manul-high-power-minibus_W0QQitemZ110239470403QQihZ001QQcategoryZ18290QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

read all the way down and enjoy!! lol

moonrakerz

bestpud wrote: »

In fact I have had to reduce my perfectionist ways while at uni! I find it amazing that students are prepared to hand in assignments without double checking the spelling and grammar.

I find this statement even more amazing than the attitude of the students. Why should you reduce your standards ? you should help people to improve theirs. not just give in to mediocrity. If these people are not adult enough to accept well meant advice - should they be at university in the first place ? You go to Uni to learn and improve yourself, surely that should include grammar and spelling ?

bestpud wrote: »

Your opinion is your opinion and I'm assuming you just ignore poorly spelt posts though, even if you could help?

I did not say that - as you are fully aware. I will respond to any post (even yours ! ) if I think I can offer something of value (or humour!). You asked for my opinion, I gave it, if you don't like the possible answers - then sorry, but don't ask the question.

You asked why people are irritated by poor spelling; I told you why I am irritated by it.
Because this doesn't appear to line up with your views, I then become someone who won't listen to a Brummie or Scouser (I have a West Country accent myself) and ignore people whose spelling and grammar isn't 100%.

You seem to be able to read a lot more into someone's personality from a post on this site than you accuse me of being able to.

margaretclare

pennypitstop wrote: »

Also, the mix up between

advice and advise,
practice and practise,
license and licence

is even more tricky but annoys me anyway when I read the wrong one!

(Usage is if it's spelt with a 'c' it's a noun (a thing) and if it's spelt with 's' it's a verb (you're doing it) -just to prevent any more headaches out there!)

This is because of the confusion between American spelling of English and British spelling of English. Especially practice and license. Americans talk about their 'driver's license' whereas we say 'driving licence'. Practice/practise and defense/defence come into this too. Using a spell-checker isn't always helpful unless it is set to British/English.

My pet hate, and something which DH is always asking me about, is: effect or affect. As in 'emissions have an effect on the world's climate' but 'climate is affected by emissions'.And apostrophes in the wrong place as in 'banana's' - don't get me started on that!! Or 'stationary' rather than 'stationery'. Stationary means staying still, not moving, and stationery is paper, envelopes etc, what you use for writing letters.