Why are there so many people who don't know how to use correct grammar?

Question

For example:
Misspellings
Punctuation errors
Run-on sentences.
"Your" and "You're"

When someone tries to convince someone else of a belief, but uses the grammar of an elementary school student, doesn't that person's argument get basically ignored?

Considering Yahoo! Answers is a question and answer site, it would be logical to assume there are lots of arguments.

I can understand why someone doesn't use correct grammar in daily conversation, since most people usually do not talk for more than a few sentences in replies.

@asphyxia, Jealgon, pinoy ako

This site has a built in spell checker. Spelling errors are either due to people's laziness, like j_smith_7 said, or their unwillingness to care, like Sarah C said. I still see misspelled words in college English papers. Most are not obvious because word processors also do spell checks, but they are there.

@r.conway_25

"i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be
in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe."

I'm not talking about people who communicate with English even though it is not their primary language.

Personally, I can usually recognize when someone's primary language is not English.
I commend anyone who is fluent in more than one language.

Answer 1

They are the products of this generations education system. States pump billions annually into education, have state lotteries to support education, teachers have unions and receive pay raises before any other state employees, but yet the kids cannot complete a sentence, spell, or use punctuation.

Our society has settled for being mediocre, whereas in past generations, they strived for excellence. I shudder to think where this country will be 20 years from now.

Thanks for bringing up such an important issue.

Answer 2

Well for starters, we all make typographical errors now and then, & we all misspell occasionally. But I have seen some questions posted that are very bad, both in spelling and grammar. I think some of that may be due to people in other countries that know English as their 2nd language, and misspell, misuse certain words. Some people just don't have a good grasp on sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar, even though English is their primary language.

AND...I totally agree with CJ, the school systems leaves a lot to be desired now a days. Some kids are not being taught properly, but yet they are being allowed to advance to the next grade, and graduate.

Answer 3

As time moves on, ideas are changing.

Old days, people do not have much knowledge except reading writing. Therefore beautiful English is something of a big deal.

But, today, someone using free-style english, are those writing multimillion dollar softwares. Their knowledge priority are somewhere else. Who cares about high school materials?

Sadly speaking, those who picking on others spellings, grammar, are mostly uneducated high school graduates. They don't have anything else to hold on to, the only thing they know is the spelling and grammar.

They never left their high school class rooms.

Answer 4

Do you want me to punctuate this answer and add some missing words?

Sometimes, it's not because they don't know how to, but it's more of typo errors. And if some really don't know how to use it, it's probably because they have no need to really use it the right way. Or people around them just let it pass whenever they hear them say it the wrong way.

I guess, they are here to improve the only English they have. Just bear with them. Not all people know how to speak or write English well just like you do.

Answer 5

Because in reality, in the grand scheme of life, it's really doesn't matter! Back when I was a teenager, I too thought that crap like that was such a big deal. Now, I just don't give a crap if other people can't spell or tie their own damn shoes for that matter. Who cares?
Why can't most people understand Calculus? That's more important than worrying about spelling! I should go around and ask people, "QUICK, tell me the second derivative of Cosine!"

Answer 6

Because stupidity is the new trend. I understand people not being able to spell some words, some are tricky, but some of the stuff I see is just sad. It annoys me to no end. Glad to see there is someone else out there who knows the difference between "your" and "you're".

-Amanda

Answer 7

Basically ,this is what the Computer Age has done to us ,and no one cares anymore .Although it makes you mad ,it's just the way it is.
You have to type really fast and accidentally miss a letter or two, think really fast , this is progress to some, I don't know what to believe anymore either.

Answer 8

1. It still sownds the same.
2. People still understand what your saying.
3. Were not riting term papers or bizness documents.

Answer 9

I think we can forgive those who are not English mother tongue. However, I agree with you about the rest. I would say it is laziness more than anything else.

Answer 10

sometimes it's not because they don't know how to but more of typo errors and if some really don't know how to use it is probably because they have no need to really use it the right way or people around them just let it pass whenever they hear them say it the wrong way .....