Sorry, I know that this makes me sound old, but the written English on this site is a little alarming. Punctuation marks in quite random places, poor spelling and shocking homophone use. I guess this is a question about the evolution of the written language; does anyone think it is important anymore?
2006-12-09 23:44:53 · 22 answers · asked by mrben 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Apparently I have made three grammatical errors?? Where?
2006-12-09 23:54:59 · update #1
Dear sad old boys,
Please do not apologise for sounding old, you probably are.
This does not, however, mean that I disagree with you.
Language is always in constant evolution, however it is still important to maintain the correct grammar rules and the correct punctuation when writing.
Those who have answered that it is more important to communicate I would tend to agree with, as long as that communication is verbal. I would like to ask these same people how they would feel if they received a letter from their bank, or their university, or any other reputable institution, that was littered with spelling mistakes and other errors. How confident would they feel in their other abilities ?
PS. Mr Ben, I regret that you used the disgusting Americanism "I guess"..........shame on you and slapped wrists all round.
Good for you anyway !
PPS - I suppose I should say that incorrect punctuation never did George Bernard Shaw any harm.
2006-12-10 00:50:35 · answer #1 · answered by the_lipsiot 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Punctuation marks, anyone? (<-- comma)
Sorry, I know that this makes me sound old, but the written English on this site is a little alarming.
Punctuation marks in quite random places, poor spelling and shocking homophone use. (<-- sentence fragment)
I guess this is a question about the evolution of the written language; does anyone think it is important anymore?
The style is casual and concersational, so I found only two outright errors. If I were correcting an English paper (I'm not an English teacher) I would have also marked the construction, "Sorry, I". A common after "poor spelling" is traditional, but I, too, eschew it since the conjunction and separates the entries. I reserve that for lists with compound entries (e.g. "...Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and Sacagawea...").
2006-12-10 06:19:06 · answer #2 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Indeed, punctuation, syntax and spelling is all important. An ill placed comma or apostrophy, can change the meaning of a sentence and may lead to dire consequences, especially in legal documents.
I am amazed at just how many people do not know the difference between there, their and they're; here and hear and too and to.
Recently, I received a letter from my thirty eight year old nephew. It began ~ "Gr8 2 here from u........................" I read no further. This man is a pilot of high education but finds it a waste of time to correspond in correctly written English. I would say, that he is too lazy.
2006-12-10 00:21:38 · answer #3 · answered by Greatgrandmother 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. Some of the questions and answers on Yahoo Answers verge on the unintelligible. Unfortunately, I'm often guilty of mistyping sentences. I sometimes type, "the the", leave out words, etc.
By the way, you used a sentence fragment in the "sentence" beginning, "Punctuation in quite random places ..." Believe me, I find so many errors in my writing after I submit an answer, even after I think I've reread and corrected everything. I think we all need proofreaders. I know I can't be trusted to proofread my own writing.
2006-12-10 00:16:47 · answer #4 · answered by DavidNH 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I still find punctuation and syntax to be important, and i find it scary how many people don't seem to be able to use the written english language correctly. A good example of this is how many marks are available in essays, at A-level, for correct grammar and punctuation. One could write absolute nonsense in correct english, and still get a number of marks.
2006-12-09 23:58:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's important, but people often type as quickly as possible. Conveying meaning doesn't require much punctuation at all. Although at times the correct punctuation is critical. As for spelling, I think there are a lot of ill-educated people in the World. And we all make typing mistakes. ggfjghjtrjjgjgser.
2006-12-09 23:51:06 · answer #6 · answered by Paul E 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I totally think it's important. I tried writing like the others but then I realized that I was only stooping to a horribly low educated level. I just can't do it. I'm not exactly a young one either but it is disturbing to think that in years to come nobody will understand anybody by the way they write. That's a scarey thought. Don't ya think?
2006-12-10 05:53:46 · answer #7 · answered by Me2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah, not on this site. Where it matters, yes. This site is not where it matters. I'm comfortable knowing that when the occasion arises and I need to be articulate and apply all laws of the written word I am quite capable. Peruse some of the questions on this site. They wouldn't know 'your' from 'you're' if you explained it to them. So relax and just know that you know. m
2006-12-10 00:06:20 · answer #8 · answered by Mache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The language hasn't changed, but the education system has failed miserably and we have a generation of mostly uneducated young people who do not know how to put their thoughts on paper or even phrase a sentence verbally.
2006-12-09 23:51:55 · answer #9 · answered by Roberta 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Quite right, sir! However, when the punctuation is used in the word: i.e. its or it's, I sometimes feel the spell-checker gets itself confused.
xxB
2006-12-09 23:48:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋