Is spelling important?

Question

When you reed a question, if a word is not spelled correctly, a sentence is a fragment, or just not good grammar, does that make one not take the question serious? I mean, do you read for content or proper English? Thanks in advance for your answers

I am the worlds worst speller. I do try to get better but that is my worst problem

I agree it is not hard to check for spelling. However, as in my case, not everyone is good in the English language. I make so many mistakes in my Q&A's. I just hope people will overlook them and answer for my content and not my bad English. I think there is a difference in people who write bad because they are not attempting to write correctly and those who try to write the best they can and make mistakes. There are some really great answers here and I will put this one to a vots Thanks :)

Answer 1

As long as I know what it means I don't make a big deal out of it.

Answer 2

Um... this is Women's Studies... are you sure you posted in the right division? Anyways, I'll answer the question: Spelling is important because it maintains a sort of consistency in writing and conveying thoughts. It's far more important than grammar but probably less important than being able to speak a language. "Complex" spelling, as you put it, seems to make some people think you are more intelligent for some reason. Most people just type slowly so they use shorthand for words, which is fine as long as it is intelligible. The line is crossed when you can't read somebody's writing, basically. Your spelling is fine, by the way; I can understand your point perfectly, and, as you noted, that's all that really matters.

Answer 3

It depends. I don't care much about sentence fragments as long as that person gets their point across. Of course, the better the person writes the more likely I am to take them seriously. (ie: I am usually turned off by people who "Tipe LiKE dis") Ugh. And as for spelling, if it's just a mistype then it doesn't bother me that much ("Does anyone know whta this means?"), but if you misspell something that makes it mean something different... that's annoying...

For example, you said "reed" instead of "read."
But I'm going to assume you know better since you typed "read" later on in your question. =D

Basically, if I can understand what the person is asking, I'll try to help them out. But it never hurts to use the English language properly.

Answer 4

dear DOUG,
why are kids taught to spell correctly in the kindergarden? it's there the foundation is laid for writing good English. Although i find many Anglo-Indians speak their mother-tongue easily, they are the weakest when it comes to writing, they commit 'blunders' in spelling and grammar, as i've corrected quite a few exam papers of 10th & 12th std. students in an Anglo Indian H.S. School.
all of us should be proud to know the right spelling for every word we write because out there so many are reading how well or ill we write. If u wantonly write bad English for the sake of participating in this forum, i'm afraid it isn't a good sign. hope u will pardon me, if i have hurt anyone's feelings. But i speak the truth and i stand by it. do u agree, Doug?

Answer 5

I don't 'reed' questions...I 'read' them. Get the point? With that little spell check button up yonder, there is little reason for huge mistakes in spelling. One such as yours would not get picked up because 'reed' is a word..just not the one you wanted. I read for interest, quality of question. However, a whole pile of misspelled words tells me the person is too lazy to care, so I don't care to answer. Either that or they don't know the language, in which case, I will try to help if I can. You can tell the difference between the two. Pure laziness in spelling...means pure laziness in other things as well.

Answer 6

I think if you want someone to take you seriously and not start out with the idea that you are a moron, than yes, correct spelling is important.


I'd hate to see some of these peoples resumes in a few years when their old enough to enter the workforce.


EDIT- Let me add this, If the language is foreign to you, I understand. It's the people who's only language is English, yet cannot manage to spell, or use a spell check, that irritate me. But that's just me.

Answer 7

Well, when I read questions/answers that have proper spelling and grammar, it gives a a better impression of the person. I think it makes them sound a bit more serious about what they're saying rather than people who just give bad answers or ask stupid questions. Obviously, people can have horrible spelling and/or grammar and they question/answer can be great, but I like it better when people use correct spelling grammar.

Answer 8

I read for content, but if the grammar is too difficult to understand (because it sucks), then I usually don't bother. Although I make mistakes too, the really blatant ones make me cringe. I just don't understand how it's difficult for people when it's never been difficult for me.

Answer 9

Well, as long as I can read what they're typing and make sense of it, it's fine to me. We can't spell perfectly all the time, so it's not really a big deal.

Answer 10

It used to bother me, but not to the point that I would not take a questioner seriously. Now I just roll and laugh with it. To spell check or not to spell check? That is the question...

Answer 11

I haven't been here that long, but I already seen several questions answered wrong because of misinterpretation of the question...(what word is he *trying* to say?)

If someone wants a thoughtful answer, they should at least proof their question before sending it...it's not that hard.