2006-07-08 22:15:34 · 19 answers · asked by julie j 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Thanks for pointing out my mistake...it's a lot not alot...and to the Russian fellow, no, I think these are americans I'm referring to. It seems like the rest of their sentences are fine and to those learning our language, like yourself, I admire you, even if the words are misspelled, because at least you try and sound out the words. The english language is a hard one...so many exceptions to the rules! Keep up the good work!
2006-07-08 22:37:50 · update #1
my opinion is that most people aren't paying attention to spelling. english is confusing enough without having to worry about spelling, and mistakes like 'than' vs. 'then' and 'your' vs. 'you're' are as much typos as bad grammar or bad spelling. like i've said before in answer to other spelling-based questions, why should we even bother with the 'right' spelling, as long as people can understand what the writer means? i'm pretty sure that back before someone standardized english spelling, 'than' and 'then' were used interchangeably for both words. (did that sentence make any sense?)
2006-07-09 06:35:00 · answer #1 · answered by bookworm_queen 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, it's not just you, plenty of people use them incorrectly, so much so, that I often wonder if most don't think they are simply two different spelling variations of the same term which happens to have two different uses.
THAN is a comparative term, x possesses some characteristic to a greater or lesser extent THAN y.
THEN is a sequential or serial term, x happens and THEN y happens.
If you want a mnemonic:
thAn=compArison
thEn=sEquence or sEries
2006-07-09 04:52:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I notice a lot of they're, there, and their mistakes, plus accept and except. And it bugs me when people say "every since" when they meant "ever since". I have a whole list in my head but it's early and I don't feel like writing it out.
2006-07-09 03:09:04 · answer #3 · answered by kitten lover3 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I notice "your" vs. "you're a lot more than "than" vs. "then. Either way, it bugs the hell out of me. People should learn how to use words correctly already. -_-
2006-07-08 22:20:56 · answer #4 · answered by Rinoa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't notice much problems with than and then, but I notice things like your and you're, alot and a lot, and their and they're.
2006-07-08 22:22:12 · answer #5 · answered by rath 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pitty you july....
why u must say a " alot of people "
just u only use the words then and than incorrectly
2006-07-08 22:57:14 · answer #6 · answered by nil imran 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It mai be cose they are not from :amerika or england .i am from romania for ex and my grammar in rusty .it also hapend cose thay think in theyr languege and translate in other (u should try )it is a litle beat harder
2006-07-08 22:23:21 · answer #7 · answered by geauleadan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Notice we use than when talking about compare things
2006-07-08 22:21:36 · answer #8 · answered by said_mail_22 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it just me or do 'alot' of people not know how spell 'a lot'!!!
2006-07-08 22:17:22 · answer #9 · answered by Windseeker_1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes... just shows that most people don't have correct grammer.
2006-07-08 22:16:45 · answer #10 · answered by Chinese Cowboy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋