Can you really ask or answer a question here with improper grammar and still be taken seriously?

Question

Does improper grammar hurt your credibility?

Teacher, but not an English teacher. Both of my grandma's were though.

Answer 1

I believe it does... I think people respect and listen to people who speak gramatically correct more than those who don't.

Answer 2

I'm an honor student, and daughter of an English teacher, and my opinion is that not everyone has or is capable of "perfect grammar." No, I don't think it hurts a person's "credibility." What hurts someone's credibility is the CONTENT of the question: if it shows ignorance...such as racist remarks do, for example, it's hard for anyone to take the question seriously, and it inclines us to question the intelligence and morality of the person asking the question. Perfect grammar is something few of us can claim- credibility, however, is an entirely separate issue, in my opinion.

By the way, I'm not being judgmental when I say this, I'm just pointing it out: in your question you said "both of my grandma's were though"...that's improper grammar...LOL!

Answer 3

I'm a real stickler for good grammar and spelling, but I've learned to overlook it on this site, and just concentrate on the questions and answers. Sadly, good English is a lost art, and the internet and computers are one cause -- especially the abbreviated language, like "ur" for you are, etc. The use of the English language is atrocious at times, and sometimes I wonder if the subject is a lost art. I'm not a teacher either, but I am very well aware of what you're saying about credibility. It would never go over in the business world, or in the field of academics. And I pity the poor people who would fill out an application for employment with such fractured language. I may be terribly old fashioned, but I still believe in the technique that I was taught in school. It worked then, and it still works now. It's too bad that otherwise intelligent people often come across as illiterates because they are too lazy or unwilling to use proper English. Thanks for noticing it.

Answer 4

Not necessarily. People pass judgment towards people based on their looks, they way the talk, their status or lack of.

Just because someone may use improper grammar or punctuation, doesn't mean their opinion doesn't matter.

I am sure there are many famous people who cannot master the wonderful world of English language, but who have made our world a 'better' place. Would you not drive your car if you knew the people who put it together were illiterate?

What if Angeline Jolie or Brad Pitt answered a question here and were gramatically challenged, would you not take their answers seriously?

We are only human not perfect.

Answer 5

I have to admit, incorrect spelling and grammar drive me nuts, but I will still answer if the meaning is there. Sometimes, incorrect grammar leads to some pretty interesting "readings" of questions, so it is important for clarity. The question, "do all feminists have a mustache" is one that I can't help but poke fun at, not just for the content, but for the grammatical error. Do I take the asker less seriously? Not really--it depends on a few things. I'm really more interested in the content, but I have to admit to noticing and wincing when spelling and grammar are wrong.

Answer 6

Yes. I'm a big fan of the King's English. I was an English major for a while. But I've become a big fan of this site, even though many of the questions are written in "texting" (absence of) grammar. Some of the questions I've encountered, however broken they are grammatically, are stark and desperate. It's a privilege to offer an opinion or solution. It is difficult for me not to correct their mechanics and grammar, but it's been very rewarding when I can get past that and offer a middle-aged white American woman's perspectives to some seriously distressed folk out there. I admire their willingness to ask for help...and try to leave my addiction to the King's English out of it.

Answer 7

I believe it does. Here you can see the intelligence of the person that writes or answers the questions. Even when there is a spell checker; but, most of all English has gone down hill.

Though when English is not a persons first language Yahoo Answers can help to build good grammar if a person takes the time to go through what they write and re-reads what they have written.

Answer 8

Yes. Improper grammar DOES hurt credibility. However, the appeal of a question is majorly based on the subject/content, not the grammar and spelling (as long as it's bearable). The same applies to the answer. An answer needs to be insightful and helpful, not necessarily grammatically correct (though that's a plus).

Answer 9

What I have noticed is that the grammar police surface when they cannot refute the point, assuming the question is understandable. It is somewhat like attacking the messenger instead of the message.
It bothers me to see "loose" when, in context, the correct word is "lose" or "then" instead of "than" and visa versa or the overuse of cyber shorthand.
I'm terrible with commas and paragraphs and a few other areas such as run-on sentences but I figure if someone is that anal, they won't get the point of the question (or answer) anyway. I try to ignore typos and incorrect grammar and hope it is reciprocated.

Answer 10

In English class at high-school, I didn't do too well, but I do try to make the effort with proper spelling and grammer(ok, it's 'grammar', bad Simone).
If a person makes a few mistakes, it doesn't mean that they shouldn't be taken seriously though. We are trying our best.
For people who are sticklers for grammar and good spelling who tend to look down on others who make a mistake, it is nothing short of snobbery on their part.
Besides, I may not be perfect but I can see examples of poor grammar in some of the answers here from people who are complaining about others, but I would never complain about it.
People need to be more forgiving and understanding.

Answer 11

I dont think it matters much. Im not as good with my grammar either. When I see how some people write/type and its not proper. I think to myself, you have no idea what the reason is behind there mistakes. Who knows how they swere actually brought up. If some people cant read or understand what they are saying and have a problem with it, they shouldnt try reading it. If they cant read it and just need help understanding what they are saying, they can just ask again.
People should to be a lot nicer then they act when they are hidden behind a computer. Would you say to someone you dont want to talk to them because they had a hard time talking your lingo.