I notice that many questions have sufficiently bad spelling and grammer to be almost impossible to guess the question and yet the answers, in the main, are worded with thought and spelt correctly. Why is this?
2007-04-12 08:10:56 · 18 answers · asked by Professor 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I am no speller nor do I know English that well. The question is not to poke fun or to complain but to find an answer
2007-04-12 08:20:30 · update #1
Because you can't edit a question. I often re-read an answer, see that I swapped there for their, made a typo, or it just didn't make sense on paper like it did in my head, so I edit it. With a question, all you can do is post an addition--you can't change the question.
2007-04-12 08:16:53 · answer #1 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The whole purpose of this forum was to provide help and information to those who needed it by seeking advice from those who have knowledge or understanding of a topic, a speciality, or have experience in a certain sphere.
On the whole those who answer try to provide something of merit that is correct and will genuinely help the questioner, rather than a flippant or ironic answer- and there are plenty of those- that will bring a quick two points.
They also limit themselves to answering questions which are within their scope of knowledge or interest.
Personally I would be ashamed to post an answer that is mispelt, misleading, or in poor English as I consider this an insult to the person who is seeking help. Accuracy is particularly important when you are in the grammar or language sections.
With regard to latching on to almost incomprehensible questions, it is a matter of lateral thinking and trying to understand what the person means. In the Language section, it is an instinctive reflex for any linguist, or language specialist. It also requires an inquisitive mind and what the French describe as "La recherche du mot juste".
Finally, if you think that the English website displays a lack of erudition on the part of those who ask questions, I can assure you that those in some other languages are not much better. "Errare humanum est" especially if one is in a hurry!
Anyone is liable to make the odd typo, including fully trained and fledged typists, and even Yahoo spell check is not totally accurate!
2007-04-13 02:44:12 · answer #2 · answered by WISE OWL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's because a lot of people who ask questions, generally but of course not all, come to the computer, bring up Yahoo Answers, and then scratch their head and think "lets see, what can I ask?" Most are just being frivolous or trying to be provocative. You get a lot of genitally obsessed teenagers and people at a loose end.
The answerer's, some, not all, take the time to read the question and some of the answers, and formulate their own opinion, write it down, use the spell check, and hit submit.
There is an infinite variety of people out there, and more than just a few crazies!
2007-04-12 15:38:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love some the answers here.
"Spelt" is the a reasonable past tense of spell. Those that have not recognize this and are calling someone down about spelling need to do some research first instead of assuming that they are correct.
Further, it is amusing that one comment complains about the use of "spelt" then spells "grammar" incorrectly. So, it pretty much disproves the premise that the question is based upon.
2007-04-12 15:21:43 · answer #4 · answered by Your Best Fiend 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just imagine an opposite situation, LOL.
On the other hand, once your statement on statistics of yahoo answers and questions is true, the statement "more you know, more you know you do not know" is likely to be false at large in practice. Or "erudites" become very tired during erudition process and their erudition becomes slower and slower until it can't be trulky saying be called erudition at all.
2007-04-12 15:25:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't know. I have, however, just posted a properly spelled and grammatically corrrect question - which hasn't appeared. Maybe there's a connection?
Jon C
PS.
I just checked in the dictionary and spelt is an alternative spelling of spelled.
JC
2007-04-12 15:17:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because the people who answer want their answer to be chosen as "Best" so they can get 10 points. The way to be chosen is to put forth a well thought out, well written answer.
People who are asking are in a rush and want to know NOW, or they are just testing the waters to see what is out there.
2007-04-12 16:30:01 · answer #7 · answered by 我比你聪明 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How can someone know how to use the word erudite, but not know to use "than" instead of "then"?
Sorry, just found that funny. And "spelled" not "spelt." I have been wondering lately if all the spelling/grammar mistakes here are just because no one cares, or do people really not know how to spell or use the written language?
Has the internet caused our illiteracy, or just exposed it?
.
2007-04-12 15:17:43 · answer #8 · answered by Ray B 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Professor..you are more erudite than Doctor..'spelt' is correct.
Having said that grammar is spelt with an 'a' not an 'e'.
2007-04-12 17:00:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, not sure. I always try to spell things correctly, because I too believe it shows that you've put thought into what you've written.
Thanks for adding me to your contacts, by the way! : )
2007-04-14 00:24:08 · answer #10 · answered by *shine* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋