Their-There-They're

trisontana

My pet hate is the mixing up of "lose / loose" and "advise / advice". They don't even sound the same when you pronounce them, so why do people use these words incorrectly ?

bestpud

moonrakerz wrote: »

This is, perhaps where our attitudes diverge. In this day and age one is not allowed to say boo to a goose, in case you upset the goose !

Too many people think, or others seem to think on their behalf, that being told that they have spelt something incorrectly is blatant criticism, condemnation, insulting or even racism - instead of a piece of helpful advice.

My MP's name is Murrison, I have seen his name spelt Morrison on several occasions. It is an easy name to mispronounce or mishear. If I were writing to this gentleman and called him Morrison and someone pointed out this error to me, I would be delighted. I would have been mortified to send him a letter and spelt his name incorrectly - then my anxiety levels would have been high !!

Yeah, I see your point I suppose.

I tend to think criticism should be constructive and I'm just not convinced it is a big enough 'sin' in this context. Some may learn from, and even welcome comments, but others may well leave the forum for good and this site is about moneysaving, not literacy.

I think threads like this are as far as it should go really. But that is just my opinion and in reality, most people keep quiet about spelling mistakes anyway, albeit through gritted teeth in some cases!

ampersand

'i' before 'e', except after 'c'.
Tautology.
Save 'basically', 'arguably' for correct usage - rarely needed.
Not 'inspirational', but 'inspiring.
Read to and with children from the earliest age, to gift them the power and joy of language.
Why sell them short at this unique, avid sponge stage?
Constant exposure to the printed page aids painless absorption of correct spelling, some grammar, as naturally as breathing.
Literacy, numeracy, articulacy are keys to a better world and every child's birthright, not élitist extras.
Thus speaks Mme Gauchère, who stands far to the right of Attilla the Hun on these matters and observing the courtesies of Life on a crowded, warring planet.

tbs624

moonrakerz wrote: »

..... and will miss spell that same word two minutes later.

moonrakerz wrote: »

I just find it strange that the general attitude nowadays, especially in educational establishments, to ignore grammar and spelling to be totally misguided (but it is PC !) .

Perhaps I'm turning into a Grumpy Old Man !

The underlining is mine. It's a tad ironic that there seem to be couple of errors in your post: one with spelling, and one with punctuation.:rotfl:

Oh and here's one with grammar

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.

Try to do it is standard usage.:rotfl:

On a personal level I don't mind at all though, because the thing is, most posters recognise that other people on here are probably doing things in a rush between doing the many other things they have to do in their lives. Having the odd typo or spelling error in a message forum rarely negates what people have to say unless you are, as you say, turning into a GOM but whenever a pedant starts criticising others for their English skills ( or perceived lack thereof) there is always the possibility that it will come back and bite them on the bum!

JohalaReewi

helloecho wrote: »

... 'Rhythm' is an acronym of rhythm has your two hips moving. It's all completely stupid, but it works.

or Rolf Harrris You Terrible Hairy Man