Why are there so many native English speakers who mix these two up??? I am not a native English speaker, but I know the difference between there and their. Somebody please tell me why??
2006-11-09 16:10:10 · 16 answers · asked by HSB 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The reason I think lies in the way both words are pronounced. Native English speakers phonetically pronounce both words quite so similarly that when it comes to writing them down they sometimes forget which is which.
Non-natives knew the difference because they were taught to pronounce it differently by virtue of their different spellings, unlike natives who acquired the pronunciation skills from their parents.
In almost all of non-native countries, the two words are almost always pronounced differently; as in there (rhymes with 'bear') and their (rhymes with 'beer' / hear / career), in contrast with the indistinguishably similar American pronunciations of both words. (rhymes with 'bear' / care / dare.
Another case in point is the American pronunciation of the word 'flower' and 'flour' ('Flau:er'). Non natives could have easily distinguised both with ('flau-er') and ('flaar' or 'fle-ure') respectively.
So guys, it has got nothing to do with ones attitude towards education or intellectuality...
2006-11-09 18:30:12 · answer #1 · answered by tomQ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only English speakers have grammar problems. I frequently go to Yahoo Answers Mexico and they have just as many grammar issues. People in general are just careless, whether they know the rules or not.
2006-11-09 16:47:24 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people who speak English didn't pay much attention during class when it came to writing it. You'll notice a million things just reading the questions people type on here. Either people are too lazy to backspace and re-type, or too lazy to click the 'Check Spelling'. It's amazing how bad people write things on computers, even with spell-check!
2006-11-09 16:13:26 · answer #3 · answered by kmodek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are A LOT of words that native English speakers mess up. I think it is because they are lazy and no one every told them they were wrong.
I can't help it, I correct people before I even think about it. I am a bit anal retentive about grammar. I know it is annoying... but I really can't help it.
2006-11-09 16:12:43 · answer #4 · answered by D B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it is because they do not think before they write. Most know the difference they just don't think about it. The same goes for a lot of other words such as here, hear, your and you're write , right and my favourite where and were two words that do not even sound the same.
2006-11-09 16:21:49 · answer #5 · answered by c0mplicated_s0ul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because English speling is stupid. We shud make it fonetic.
For instance how do you pronounce ghoti using standard English. I pronounce it fish. gh like in enough, o like in women, and ti as in nation.
So, lighten up; if you understand what the writer means why be annoyed. You understood the message. Move on.
2006-11-09 16:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by the shadow knows 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are illiterate people in every language hon. They simply didn't pay attention in English class.
2006-11-09 16:12:28 · answer #7 · answered by anything_my_child 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The American government no longer values educating our youth. Unfortunately The dumber they get, the more they parade their oafishness. I fear for our future.
2006-11-09 16:13:46 · answer #8 · answered by kimmunism 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually there are three theres. There, their, and they're. It too difficult to distiguish between two theres. There are three to's too.
To, two and too.
2006-11-09 16:16:38 · answer #9 · answered by DavidNH 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're just too thoughtless to get their words written there properly.
(I'm very proud of that sentence!)
2006-11-09 16:12:46 · answer #10 · answered by LawStudent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋