And, right. I don't go around looking for grammatical errors to correct on the internet. This just happened to be someone asking for help on how to improve her writing, and making errors in that post.
But, sadly, enough spelling and grammatical errors in something and people WILL have trouble understanding the meaning. I'm surprised that people do not seem to care that they will be misunderstood if they don't follow grammatical rules and spell correctly.
I suppose I have been fortunate not to have to deal with the drama that much. And, when it does pop up, I have developed the ability over a long period of time to simply ignore it.
I've been trained as a journalist and so was my first wife, so my girls inherited a natural ability with the use of the English language. You have to be sharp and quick to hang in a text thread with them.
My younger daughter has a coffee mug that reads "I'm silently correcting your grammar." We have learned, the hard way, that many times silence is truly golden.
There are two types of people in this world, those who want to hear the harsh truth so they can improve themselves, and those who reject taking personal responsibility to better themselves and thus hate it when someone points out something that they could have done better.
I prefer knowing if I made a mistake, so I can work on fixing it and not looking foolish or in error later on. But I've "met" online many people who have no cares at all if they make mistakes.
I used to actually be a third type. Back when I was submitting fiction to magazines and trying to make a living at it, I would react angrily to any note from an editor that pointed out a shortcoming in my writing (usually story rather than grammar). "Why don't you just buy the damn thing! I've seen worse get published!" was always my first reaction. After a month or so, I'd reread the story with the critique in mind and think, "Actually they have a point. I need to fix that." :)
I admire the character of someone who can take criticism graciously and with discernment.
I don't usually correct other writers' bad grammar or point out spelling errors, frankly, because to do so would take up half my day! But I always notice it and judge the writer. Not kindly.
If you have something to say in written form, take the time to at least edit for spelling errors, grammar and syntax. I'm poor at the latter, but I try hard not to press post before I've re-read my response for clarity, proper grammar, and correct spelling. Sure, errors get past me even so, but if I catch them after posting I'll go back and edit to correct them. I probably use commas excessively, though😉.
What is the excuse for spelling errors? I mean, you can't type anything online that doesn't correct spelling errors, for goodness sake. I do get irritated when some program prompts a correction or automatically corrects a colloquialism or figure of speech that doesn't conform to "proper grammar" when I'm using it intentionally and in the context of what I'm writing. And keep in mind that autocorrect doesn't really understand context, hence when texting, what you mean to say may be autocorrected to some other word that makes what you mean meaningless, and sometimes hilarious.
Maybe I'm being too prissy, but I don't see anything positive about poor written communication.
I know. No one is perfect. I've made plenty mistakes as well. Though, like you I try to re-read the posts before sending/posting them. And when I notice errors, I do go back in and fix it ASAP.
With the auto-correct thing, I believe it points to people getting used to texting or using voice to text and perhaps being overwhelmed with how many errors pop up and thus do not want to take the time to correct the response they've attempted to make.
And, I honestly understand that it takes a long time to edit text on the phone, whether a text box or a webpage form, it becomes impossible to edit at times. However, that's why I choose to not use my phone to type in those situations.
It still surprises me that some people do not have computers and do all of this on their phone... they may feel as if there is no option. But the options would be, don't post if you can't be clear or be okay with being misunderstood and looked down upon as a time waster (yes, it takes more time to try to read a misspelled comment than a clear one).
I hate using my phone for texting. I certainly wouldn't use it to write anything to post. First, my thumb is so big it hits 3 letters at once and it's anybody's guess which one pops up. Second, voice to text might work as a first draft but only as a first draft. Too many homophones and mondegreens.
Grammar checkers used to be awful, now they're only occasionally wrong (and I thank spell checker for getting me to spell 'occasionally' correctly. When to double letter and when not to double letter always seems to get me.). Also I put my uncoordinated self through purgatory learning to touch type in high school. Why would I backslide on that skill now?
I remember learning to type in a Catholic school where they placed a piece of cloth over our hands and the keyboard. I never lost that skill so long as my fingers are on the right starting position. I'm glad they did that now, but it probably was sucky during the class. Thankfully I don't remember much of the class but can revel in my typing skills.
Typing ruined my GPA in high school, but I'm glad I learned it. I still can't type the numbers. My stubby little fingers won't reach that far without taking them off the home keys.
Honestly, I don't use my phone for anything but texting, listening to audiobooks or podcasts, and occasionally, actual phone calls 🤣 so yeah, I guess if all you have is a phone 😳 it is a struggle making corrections. I agree. If that's all you have then don't be an overly sensitive wanna be victim.
Unlike you, I don't write well. I know that I don't always communicate my thoughts clearly. As a child, I was not an avid reader. I was more an outdoor type. After all, my family lived next door to a family with 7 children so we constantly played some kind of ball or other outdoor games. I also liked to piddle in the kitchen. What I did might have been an insult to the word "cook" but I did it any way!
I used the shield "I'm a math person not an English person" to cover my shortcomings at writing. Still do at times. I can pretty much draw geometric figures but don't ask me to draw an animal or a person. A picture of Frankenstein would win most handsome compared to some of my weak drawings.
Never thought I could have a garden but I do now. After being pecked on the head by a rooster as a child in my grandparents chicken pen, I never wanted anything to do with chickens that involved being on the inside of their fence but I do now. They are my babies and maybe I am doing it because I don't have a rooster!
I still have lots of shortcomings. Like Dave Ramsey's philosophy of paying off debt, I need to start picking them off one at a time!
Based on your comment here, I wouldn't call English a shortcoming. When I talk about grammar fails and misspellings, I'm talking about things that make it difficult to understand the point of whatever someone is saying. You got your point across well. I'm not talking about people needing to use fancy things semicolons or em dashes, or large words...
I am making failures in the kitchen as well... trying to make sourdough. I've managed to make a good sourdough flatbread, but failed on the loaf. I'll keep trying over time.
I was gifted the e-book "You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less" and have been doing the short exercises and surprising myself at how well I can draw... of course I'm working on the geometric shapes right now, but based on the book building on skills learned over time, I think it will be possible to learn to draw more human features.
I have plenty of shortcomings myself, and I am picking them off a few at a time. Thanks for the comment. Please know I wasn't talking about you. If you think I was, then you should thank God you haven't run into the people who I was referring to, because they make it difficult to understand them.
On the broader phenomenon of people appearing to ask for help but also not wanting to take accountability I saw a post on Reddit today from a young man, about 20, complaining that he didn't know how to meet a girl because apps suck, people at bars are unapproachable, he hates clubs, and all of his hobbies were solitary. When someone suggested he might have to try something out that was more social he wrote "oh, so I just have to change everything about myself?".
I don't know how we got here, but a society where people won't take good faith criticism when they've already asked for help is in trouble.
My whole Substack is built around the broader phenomenon of people supposedly asking for help and not taking responsibility to better their lives, that or believing other people shouldn't be held accountable/responsible for their lives. It's all Drama Triangle dynamics. It's everywhere. When I started this Substack I didn't know how much I would write, because I figured everyone sees this stuff day in day out because it's EVERYWHERE. We didn't use to be like this in our society... people expected others to take personal action to better themselves, and, like you point out, people used to be able to ask for help and receive it politely. But, of course, the point of this article is that personal responsibility is seen as kryptonite. People fear it or are disgusted by it these days..
I grew up with a mother who was an English major in college She then worked as a reporter, proofreader and editor. My grammar was corrected in real time and my book reports were proofread before I turned them in. I MISS THAT. I’d be ashamed to know that my spelling and grammar was wrong and I was being judged or misunderstood as a result. I still take a while to reply in writing and in person as I check myself now that mom is gone.
I'm glad you had your mother around to help with that. I think many students are missing out on it these days, because if teachers were doing their job people wouldn't be going around misspelling and making huge grammatical errors as they do. I fondly remember my English teacher, who though strict, helped me to become more clear in my writing.
I'm proud of my grammar although I sometimes have to go back and edit to fix run-on sentences, or add commas when I need someone to pause while reading my 'breathless' prose. :)
Sometimes I'll use bad grammar/spelling to make a point, cuz' that's a thing. ;). Also I occasionally make up words, but I tell myself that's how language evolves. After all Shakespeare made up 3,000 words, but then he was busy inventing English.
Delightful read.
I won't apologize for being a stickler for spelling, or correct usage of words, (think there/their/they're).
I don't criticize grammar, as long as the written meaning comes across.
Thanks.
And, right. I don't go around looking for grammatical errors to correct on the internet. This just happened to be someone asking for help on how to improve her writing, and making errors in that post.
But, sadly, enough spelling and grammatical errors in something and people WILL have trouble understanding the meaning. I'm surprised that people do not seem to care that they will be misunderstood if they don't follow grammatical rules and spell correctly.
I suppose I have been fortunate not to have to deal with the drama that much. And, when it does pop up, I have developed the ability over a long period of time to simply ignore it.
I've been trained as a journalist and so was my first wife, so my girls inherited a natural ability with the use of the English language. You have to be sharp and quick to hang in a text thread with them.
My younger daughter has a coffee mug that reads "I'm silently correcting your grammar." We have learned, the hard way, that many times silence is truly golden.
There are two types of people in this world, those who want to hear the harsh truth so they can improve themselves, and those who reject taking personal responsibility to better themselves and thus hate it when someone points out something that they could have done better.
I prefer knowing if I made a mistake, so I can work on fixing it and not looking foolish or in error later on. But I've "met" online many people who have no cares at all if they make mistakes.
I used to actually be a third type. Back when I was submitting fiction to magazines and trying to make a living at it, I would react angrily to any note from an editor that pointed out a shortcoming in my writing (usually story rather than grammar). "Why don't you just buy the damn thing! I've seen worse get published!" was always my first reaction. After a month or so, I'd reread the story with the critique in mind and think, "Actually they have a point. I need to fix that." :)
I admire the character of someone who can take criticism graciously and with discernment.
I don't usually correct other writers' bad grammar or point out spelling errors, frankly, because to do so would take up half my day! But I always notice it and judge the writer. Not kindly.
If you have something to say in written form, take the time to at least edit for spelling errors, grammar and syntax. I'm poor at the latter, but I try hard not to press post before I've re-read my response for clarity, proper grammar, and correct spelling. Sure, errors get past me even so, but if I catch them after posting I'll go back and edit to correct them. I probably use commas excessively, though😉.
What is the excuse for spelling errors? I mean, you can't type anything online that doesn't correct spelling errors, for goodness sake. I do get irritated when some program prompts a correction or automatically corrects a colloquialism or figure of speech that doesn't conform to "proper grammar" when I'm using it intentionally and in the context of what I'm writing. And keep in mind that autocorrect doesn't really understand context, hence when texting, what you mean to say may be autocorrected to some other word that makes what you mean meaningless, and sometimes hilarious.
Maybe I'm being too prissy, but I don't see anything positive about poor written communication.
I know. No one is perfect. I've made plenty mistakes as well. Though, like you I try to re-read the posts before sending/posting them. And when I notice errors, I do go back in and fix it ASAP.
With the auto-correct thing, I believe it points to people getting used to texting or using voice to text and perhaps being overwhelmed with how many errors pop up and thus do not want to take the time to correct the response they've attempted to make.
And, I honestly understand that it takes a long time to edit text on the phone, whether a text box or a webpage form, it becomes impossible to edit at times. However, that's why I choose to not use my phone to type in those situations.
It still surprises me that some people do not have computers and do all of this on their phone... they may feel as if there is no option. But the options would be, don't post if you can't be clear or be okay with being misunderstood and looked down upon as a time waster (yes, it takes more time to try to read a misspelled comment than a clear one).
I hate using my phone for texting. I certainly wouldn't use it to write anything to post. First, my thumb is so big it hits 3 letters at once and it's anybody's guess which one pops up. Second, voice to text might work as a first draft but only as a first draft. Too many homophones and mondegreens.
Grammar checkers used to be awful, now they're only occasionally wrong (and I thank spell checker for getting me to spell 'occasionally' correctly. When to double letter and when not to double letter always seems to get me.). Also I put my uncoordinated self through purgatory learning to touch type in high school. Why would I backslide on that skill now?
I remember learning to type in a Catholic school where they placed a piece of cloth over our hands and the keyboard. I never lost that skill so long as my fingers are on the right starting position. I'm glad they did that now, but it probably was sucky during the class. Thankfully I don't remember much of the class but can revel in my typing skills.
Typing ruined my GPA in high school, but I'm glad I learned it. I still can't type the numbers. My stubby little fingers won't reach that far without taking them off the home keys.
I don't even remember learning the numbers. I probably did, but, yeah, I can't do those without looking.
Honestly, I don't use my phone for anything but texting, listening to audiobooks or podcasts, and occasionally, actual phone calls 🤣 so yeah, I guess if all you have is a phone 😳 it is a struggle making corrections. I agree. If that's all you have then don't be an overly sensitive wanna be victim.
I hate autocorrect!
If I haven't proofread a post, it will insert some of the craziest words...
Last week, I had to type a word twice, to defeat autocorrect.
My language really goes in the gutter when that happens!😤
Unlike you, I don't write well. I know that I don't always communicate my thoughts clearly. As a child, I was not an avid reader. I was more an outdoor type. After all, my family lived next door to a family with 7 children so we constantly played some kind of ball or other outdoor games. I also liked to piddle in the kitchen. What I did might have been an insult to the word "cook" but I did it any way!
I used the shield "I'm a math person not an English person" to cover my shortcomings at writing. Still do at times. I can pretty much draw geometric figures but don't ask me to draw an animal or a person. A picture of Frankenstein would win most handsome compared to some of my weak drawings.
Never thought I could have a garden but I do now. After being pecked on the head by a rooster as a child in my grandparents chicken pen, I never wanted anything to do with chickens that involved being on the inside of their fence but I do now. They are my babies and maybe I am doing it because I don't have a rooster!
I still have lots of shortcomings. Like Dave Ramsey's philosophy of paying off debt, I need to start picking them off one at a time!
Based on your comment here, I wouldn't call English a shortcoming. When I talk about grammar fails and misspellings, I'm talking about things that make it difficult to understand the point of whatever someone is saying. You got your point across well. I'm not talking about people needing to use fancy things semicolons or em dashes, or large words...
I am making failures in the kitchen as well... trying to make sourdough. I've managed to make a good sourdough flatbread, but failed on the loaf. I'll keep trying over time.
I was gifted the e-book "You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less" and have been doing the short exercises and surprising myself at how well I can draw... of course I'm working on the geometric shapes right now, but based on the book building on skills learned over time, I think it will be possible to learn to draw more human features.
I have plenty of shortcomings myself, and I am picking them off a few at a time. Thanks for the comment. Please know I wasn't talking about you. If you think I was, then you should thank God you haven't run into the people who I was referring to, because they make it difficult to understand them.
On the broader phenomenon of people appearing to ask for help but also not wanting to take accountability I saw a post on Reddit today from a young man, about 20, complaining that he didn't know how to meet a girl because apps suck, people at bars are unapproachable, he hates clubs, and all of his hobbies were solitary. When someone suggested he might have to try something out that was more social he wrote "oh, so I just have to change everything about myself?".
I don't know how we got here, but a society where people won't take good faith criticism when they've already asked for help is in trouble.
My whole Substack is built around the broader phenomenon of people supposedly asking for help and not taking responsibility to better their lives, that or believing other people shouldn't be held accountable/responsible for their lives. It's all Drama Triangle dynamics. It's everywhere. When I started this Substack I didn't know how much I would write, because I figured everyone sees this stuff day in day out because it's EVERYWHERE. We didn't use to be like this in our society... people expected others to take personal action to better themselves, and, like you point out, people used to be able to ask for help and receive it politely. But, of course, the point of this article is that personal responsibility is seen as kryptonite. People fear it or are disgusted by it these days..
This is so good.
Thanks. I am glad you enjoyed it.
I grew up with a mother who was an English major in college She then worked as a reporter, proofreader and editor. My grammar was corrected in real time and my book reports were proofread before I turned them in. I MISS THAT. I’d be ashamed to know that my spelling and grammar was wrong and I was being judged or misunderstood as a result. I still take a while to reply in writing and in person as I check myself now that mom is gone.
I'm glad you had your mother around to help with that. I think many students are missing out on it these days, because if teachers were doing their job people wouldn't be going around misspelling and making huge grammatical errors as they do. I fondly remember my English teacher, who though strict, helped me to become more clear in my writing.
I'm proud of my grammar although I sometimes have to go back and edit to fix run-on sentences, or add commas when I need someone to pause while reading my 'breathless' prose. :)
Sometimes I'll use bad grammar/spelling to make a point, cuz' that's a thing. ;). Also I occasionally make up words, but I tell myself that's how language evolves. After all Shakespeare made up 3,000 words, but then he was busy inventing English.