What is your opinion on the issue of poor spelling and grammar on Yahoo! Answers?

Question

On practically every question or answer, I am able to find at least one grammar or spelling error. I even often see mistakes in Best Answers that are part of the Best of Answers category. Do you at least make an attempt to use correct English on Yahoo! Answers? Why or why not? I would also like to know any other thoughts you might have on this subject.

I believe that even if one is in a hurry, he/she should at least take the time to make the question or response comprehensible, so that others might understand him/her better.

Even if this is the Internet, we should still keep practicing etiquette-or, when online, "netiquette."

Your opinion does not have to agree with mine in order to be selected as Best Answer. I shall judge answers by content and powerr of persuasion.

Your opinion does not have to agree with mine in order to be selected as Best Answer. I shall judge answers by content and power of persuasion.

I take pleasure in reading the many insightful answers that I receive, even if they do not agree with my view. Thank you all for your answers; I have read all of them so far. I will choose a best answer soon, although I must sift through the many responses! Again, thanks to all!

Answer 1

As a public school teacher, it certainly irritates me because I see a great deal of it. Among younger posters, it is part of their culture. Many know proper usage, at least in class, but on the internet or text message they use their slang grammar! I don't understand, for example, why middle class kids want to emulate "thuglife" culture. But youth have always reveled in confounding adults.

I do make an effort to use correct grammar and spelling, but I'm not perfect. It's easy to check spelling but I'm not going to stop and look up punctuation rules.

I try to use proper English because I think it enables communication and because I want to appear intelligent. I tell my students that if you don't speak or write intelligently, people may think you aren't too bright. George W. Bush is an example of this.

Language is organic, it has always changed and this process is now accelerated by increased literacy and the access to communication tools. When only the elites were literate and controlled education it was easy to maintain a standard.

Wud it be such a bad thing if sum spellings wer changed? As with most things, the way forward is probably in the middle: between respecting the value of standard usage and the reality of communication in the 21st century.

Answer 2

This is interesting. I just asked a similar question a few days ago. An error or 2 is acceptable, but when it gets to the point that you have no idea what is being asked, then it's awful. Simple words are misspelled and I take a look at the keyboard to see if it was just a typing error. It isn't. Letters are no where near each other. Spell check exists, but I don't think spell check could decipher the words I have seen on here. I saw someone spell should like this(shood). It's funny, but in the same sense it is very sad. Internet lingo is totally different. It is basically shorthand. People in which English is a second language write better than some of the sh.. I've seen on here. It's really pathetic. I understand that not everyone has the same education level, but if you are in school now, there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to spell simple words correctly. Grammar is not as big an issue with me as spelling is. If you can read, you can get past grammar errors.

Answer 3

There are some people that do not know how to spell and do not know grammar that well. But a lot of people do have common sense and can relate to what is being answered or said. I am sure I have some errors in this. I do try to use correct English, but if you chat as much as I do, the slang spelling and sayings are gonna get typed with out me even knowing it. The spell check does not always work either. I am tired of seeing Questions like this on Yahoo Answers. I am not gonna lie I am not good with spelling and grammar and this question does make me feel like I am stupid. If you have a problem with how someone answers a question, then ignore it and don't vote for it or anything. If you do not like how a question is asked Then do not answer the question just move on to a question that better suits you spelling and grammar. I don't mean to sound like a B++ch, but no one is perfect. I am sure you make errors too, and you do not realize it.

Answer 4

Hello! I think they should create a filter to see which users are under the age of 18, and when those who are under that age there should be some type of grammar checking as well as more thorough spell checking. I tried to help one person, but the thing was so incoherent I could only guess at what information was desired. I believe both Firefox and IE have a spell checking action on their browser, and aside from that there's one right above where the put in the answers or questions. For these folks the check spelling should not be an option. My grammar is pretty good, but when I use it improperly for inflection I note it as such. That's my thought on this matter. Have a good day.

Answer 5

If English isn't a person's first language I tend to cut them a break, and the same for little typos or things not phrased perfectly, but what I see on here lots of times is just terrible for the simple fact that you can't help someone if you can't even understand what they are trying to say, and that is true a lot of the time here. And even worse for me is if I believe someone knows how use proper English, but chooses not to use it. I don't have the time to decipher questions, if they want an answer they should do better, and that goes for more then spelling and grammar, they should take some effort think about what question they really want to ask.

But of course a lot of people asking questions are just lazy. They could have got the answer to their question by doing a simple search or something like that, but instead post a question here. So given that level of laziness you got to figure that they aren't going to be very good in taking a reasonable amount of effort typing in their question.

Answer 6

Oh, I knew that this one would have lots of answers! However great "spell check" is...it will NOT fix gramatical errors, punctuation errors or problems with "they're, their, there" and the like. I know that sometimes, my answers will have an unintentionally misspelled word (too quick to hit the "submit: button sometimes), however, I find there is NO excuse for poor writing and spelling habits. Some of the questions are put so badly, that I can't even understand the question....and some of these people wonder why they can't get a decent job, are passed over for promotions, etc.
I, personally, would never hire a person whose resume' or job application was full of writing like: "u r".."ppl".."dat"...etc...
I would expect that I would also not understand the person when they were speaking, so why waste my time interviewing someone who can't spell or form a correct sentence???
I know this forum is "laid back" and all, but, practicing your grammer and spelling when it's NOT so important, will make it so that you are using it when it IS important.

Answer 7

Well, I agree on one hand, because I'm cursed with the same "editorial bug" that you are. I proof read when I'm not even trying to, so I know where your coming from. As for others, I think they should take a minute to hit spell check, but I truly believe people are in a hurry, or maybe don't even think they need to because they don't believe they've errored. Also, I think language barriers should be taken into consideration as well. Here's my best opinion: People need to hit the spell check, try to punctuate correctly, and capitalize BUT... at the same time, people like you and I shouldn't be anal about someone else's mistake. If we feel the question is incomprehensible, then we should pass it up, NOT leave rude, cutting remarks about someones grammar or illiteracy. SHAME on the people who do that! Though I do share your enthusiasm for proper grammar, I also have compassion for those who it doesn't come easy to.

Answer 8

I does bother me a bit as I have a high expectation of good education standard but it's Y!A, so I don't take things too seriously. It is hard to judge if they do it deliberatly. Note too that spelling (NOT typos) might be because we are from a different part of the world. For instance You say capitalization, I say capitalisation. For those who PURPOSEFULLY show bad etiquette, I feel that they are only hurting themselves late on in life if they purposefully show bad etiquette here. It will become a bad habit and it will show up when they are in their job or when they applying for jobs. What really bother me are stupid questions like "Is New Zealand part of the United States?" or "Where is Australia?" What are kids learning at school these days?

Answer 9

Well I am terrible at grammar, but I love to answer questions, I think I'm good at helping others with my advice. Who cares if the writing or spelling or grammar is not a hundred percent correct is the thought that counts.. But I do always check the spelling and do the best the I can.

Answer 10

I think people should do spell check when writing anything. The problem could be people who do not speak English don't know how to spell the words in the first place. I am an English teacher and I know students sometimes don't think spelling is important. In some cases, they take short-cuts when writing or are in a hurry. My advice has always been to use a dictionary when in doubt of spelling a word. With Yahoo Answers, I would advise people always use spell check. It is right here and will make your point clearer.

Answer 11

Have any of you considered people with learning disabilities? Many people still enjoy this forum even with problems with spelling and grammar. Not all people have the ability to sort out each new program as to the socially acceptable way to write or express themselves. Have we reached an age that we are so intolerant of others, we expect perfection where perfection does not and never will exist?

I see a lot of slang spelling and grammar but mostly overlook that as who a person is and not what I expect them to be.

Why does Y/ Answers have to be such a chore for someone that really enjoys to come here without being harrassed by spelling and grammar.

What happened to the world of just having fun and not sweating the small stuff???