That is just one of my pet peeves -- it drives me crazy when people say it! But is it just a little too anal to actuallt correct someone?
2006-07-13 11:41:41 · 19 answers · asked by Finnale 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Gotta disagree about "there're some people" -- why can't people just say "there ARE some people" -- just enunciate, please!
2006-07-13 11:50:49 · update #1
No, unless it is in a written document I was reviewing for someone, then I would correct it.
2006-07-13 11:45:54 · answer #1 · answered by aanusze1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there's a difference between casual speech and written English. I'm of the opinion that people should learn to write English well, and that giving them some feedback can sometimes be helpful.
For example, in your question you do not end your interrogative with a question mark. You have an ellipsis in the middle of a sentence. You don't have a comma after "say" and before your quotations. You don't capitalize the first word at the start of your quotes. You spelled "actually" wrong. Finally, your last sentence starts with a conjunction, which is no longer considered wrong--but you may wish to avoid overuse.
Also, since some people responding this seem to need a bit of help: "Nazis" is the correct plural for Nazi. Nazies and nazi's are both wrong (an apostrophe-s is used for singular possessives, and the -ies is basically a spelling error). To the person who responded just before me, complaining that schools arent[sic] teaching grammer: are not is contracted to aren't.
I do think spoken communication is a bit different. If you point out grammar mistakes when people are speaking, prepare to be perceived as a rude know-it-all who likes derailing conversations with non sequitors. You may find it more helpful to focus on helping people improve their writing, which should also guide them toward better speech.
2006-07-13 19:03:30 · answer #2 · answered by Jon R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grammar Nazi's such as yourself should be banned from the Internet. I do not believe that "There's" as opposed "There Are" is that big of a deal. If you'RE going to correct people on thEir grammar, do when it'S something serious. However, before correcting others, I would learn how to spell if I were you.(ie-*-'Actuallt'-*) People like you ARE one of my pet peeves.
-J.
2006-07-13 18:47:50 · answer #3 · answered by Jason 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you feel the need to be that ANAL. I can see correcting spelling errors and grammar placed in such a way that you get the idea of the person's idea, instead of it coming out all chopped up and you can't understand what they are trying to ask. There is a limit to being severely anal before people stop liking you.
2006-07-13 18:49:41 · answer #4 · answered by J P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know, i experience the same feelings as you, but unfortunately the schools arent teaching much grammar these days (at least it seems so) and there is a growing population of those who can't spell. I gave up trying to correct people because they just don't care and since you are in the minority, I guess
it comes off as somewhat anal.
2006-07-13 18:54:50 · answer #5 · answered by beadlz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's actually very rude to correct people's grammar in a regular conversation. Don't do it, even if it drives you crazy. The exceptions, of course, are if you are teaching an English class, tutoring, or helping a friend with homework.
2006-07-13 18:50:09 · answer #6 · answered by mightymite1957 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Correct the hell out of them. The English language is an endangered species. And if people want to get ahead in the world they need to be well spoken.
2006-07-13 18:47:30 · answer #7 · answered by Meredith L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't agree with you more; subject/verb agreement seems to be too difficult for so many people (even on the news!), and it is VERY hard to let opportunities to straighten these imbeciles out.
However.......we all know that the only people we can correct are our own children, students under our tutelage, and people who have specifically asked to be corrected.
And...it's a damn shame!!!
P.S. to JASON:
the correct plural is "Nazies". "Nazi's" is singular plural. I knew you'd want to know.
2006-07-13 18:49:34 · answer #8 · answered by silvercomet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely it is okay to correct people. I am guilty of using that incorrect phrasing sometimes. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Some people may not like you correcting them because they are ignorant and they feel stupid when they are corrected. This just demonstrates more ignorance on their part.
2006-07-13 18:46:39 · answer #9 · answered by Idunno 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes its too anal to "Actuallt" correct someone....
See, how did that make you feel?
2006-07-13 18:46:05 · answer #10 · answered by Dagfinn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋