Why do people here have a bad grasp of COMPREHENSION?

Question

I am astounded by the lack of understanding of what is very simple sentence constructs and people answer without understanding the comments or posts, I have seen very bad examples of questions to which you would expect bad answers but when you state something clearly and people then answer the question without thinking, it clearly show lack of comprehension.

Anyone else noticed this trait?

Its a bit of both really, even the BEST answers are a bit, well dubious.

I know that my grammar isn't up to scratch but atleast my Grandmother taught my sister and I what comprehension was, something that they seem to fail to do in schools these days.

@ Harly Q.... Would it surprise you that I have Dyslexia!

I only found out when I was in my mid 20's as well.

@Somily K, I agree that TV is a big player in the dumbing down of the nation.

I know people who watch Big Brother and Trisha and other "Talk" shows, it makes me laugh as you can always pick out the professional hecklers. They are so obvious.

Answer 1

It's surprising how many people here whose first language is English have problems with grammar, spelling and comprehension. I'm sure that a lot of it stems from the fact that a few years ago teachers were 'ordered' not to correct all of the pupils' spelling and grammar lest they become upset(diddums).The result is a generation of semi-literate people who don't believe that the ability to comprehend, spell or use proper grammar is important.

Answer 2

Perhaps there is a reason. Subconsciously, people may have realized that a complete lack of punctuation, rendering every question or answer so vague and ambiguous that it's true meaning can never be accurately determined, will have the effect of making it impossible to sue on the grounds of slander etc. Thereby ensuring safety from the law for all parties involved. What really annoys me is the repeated use of commas where there should be apostrophes.

Answer 3

because they are not writing a book and trying to get something across quickly and simply.
Most contributors are writing exactly the same way as they speak. I will agree that that sometimes the Grammar etc, clouds the issue. But at least they are communicating.
My education was very bad due to a learning disorder.
So the construct of this answer, probably will not be up to your standard.
You kill the freedom of speech, if only the Literate is allowed to communicate.

Answer 4

You sound a little arrogant even though the truth is that English is not being taught in schools today. I have a daughter who teaches "dumbbell English" in college just to help them start over.....it is amazing what they have never been taught.

And comprehension is a good part of reading, which many are not learning to do well.

Of course, to a foreign person, comprehension has also to do with understanding what we mean in English...and our meanings can be the same words, and mean two different things....very confusing to someone trying to learn. They have to start from the very beginning to understand English.

But I do agree with you that spelling, reading, and writing are not being taught.

Answer 5

Some people do apparently have difficulty expressing themselves clearly, or understanding a clearly written question.
Occasionally this makes me give an answer not useful to the questioner, or when I realize the error, I might reply with a witty answer.
But isn't it good that Yahoo answers encourages people to ask, and answer questions, it can only improve their communication skills.

Answer 6

Asked a similar question myself the other day,
I was educated at a school where you were taught how to flood the girls toilets and what cigarettes to smoke!!LOL so being at the wrong school is no excuse!
I am always annoyed by sumfink and nothink and skelleton etc. It makes me go all Victor Meldrew!!
My mum always made sure that I spoke correctly and was polite, it has made a real difference to how my life has turned out.

Answer 7

Sure I've noticed all that, and all kinds of other errors including my own...

I guess many people at this site may be in such a hurry to score points that they sacrifice their comprehension of the question.

As you know, that's a mistake because then the answer is not chosen by the one who asked the question. Usually.

It's a crazy, fun site though, huh? huh? Yeah, you know you're havin' fun... :)

Answer 8

Oh yes! I remember (and I'm sure you do) teachers saying over and over again, "Read the question".

They say there is no 'dumbing down' of exam papers but it seems to me that if a pupil totally misunderstands what's required, and answers what he/she thinks is the question then that person will be marked on their interpretation of the question.

In my day, you could give a highly informative answer, but if you didn't answer the question that was asked, you got a big fat nothing.

Answer 9

I noticed that you have asked 14 questions, your rating is really quite high. Are you talking about your questions? But yes I have noticed sort of a trait to the answers, a lot of them are snotty remarks as if they are doing it just to get points. Others just answer with one word, but there are a quite a few who really do care and answer as carefully as possible, I guess it all depends on where you ask the question as how you get your answers.

Answer 10

I must say that i do agree it's almost as if they have no understanding at all when the question is there in black and white i really think it's because they can't be bothered to read the question properly...but you yourself have written "Bad grasp of comprehension that itself doesn't sound right either.