Sorry, I know I shouldn't let it get to me but...

[Debian]

It might be just a forum but uncorrected sloppiness contributes to the deterioration of the written form of English. It's worrying when some of my younger colleagues mangle written English. My school has abandoned written reports and instead use graded summaries of performance and attainment - the written reports of some of my colleagues were embarrassing to read.

If communication is all about being understood, why do examination boards at all levels of attainment rail against the poor standards of English used in examinations?

Yes, some things are embarrasing.

I recently had occasion to give a statement to an officer of the law. Obviously I had to read the final version through before signing it. On three occasions the (youngish) officer had written "break" instead of "brake" and "breaked" instead of "braked" once.

 

[potsy]

Sure I'm one of the culprits but who cares it's only a forum,not a letter or job application.
Just like the more frequent spelling mistakes. loose for lose etc,you just learn to ignore it.
I tend to type how I speak,it's just easier.

 

[661-Pete]

Methinks this thread shouldn't of been started in the first place...

 

[Muddyfox]

How very Snobbish !

Not everyone on here is educated to the same level .. i left school at the age of 15 with no exam qualifications perhaps we could ask Admin for a seperate section for us "Thickies" or those that choose not to write like Shakepeare

If it really bugs you then put the culprits on your ignore list and dont expect people to change to suit you ... Innit

Simon

 

[Davidc]

They grate with me as well BUT this is a cycling forum, not an English language exam so I ignore them.

There are also people who write almost unreadable, unpunctuated, posts. I just cringe but read them. It's a cycling forum.

 

[potsy]

How very Snobbish !

Not everyone on here is educated to the same level .. i left school at the age of 15 with no exam qualifications perhaps we could ask Admin for a seperate section for us "Thickies" or those that choose not to write like Shakepeare

If it really bugs you then put the culprits on your ignore list and dont expect people to change to suit you ... Innit

Simon

You forgot the OMG in front of that surely?

 

[Muddyfox]

You forgot the OMG in front of that surely?

You're absolutely right ... maybe there is a case for a new section after all

Simon

 

[Debian]

I'm sorry if it sounds snobbish, it really wasn't meant to be.

But I still maintain that there's nothing wrong with pointing things out in a general way. Why do people take offence at a simple error being pointed out? I can't comprehend that. I have no problem with my mistakes being pointed out. What's so wrong with learning to correct ones mistakes?!

 

[rich p]

Get over it. I'm the sort of person who punctuates their text messages but everyone on here has a different level of education and may have been one of the many illiterate or dyslexic in this wonderful country of ours. Take the piss about typos but don't take the moral highground because you have had a better education or come from a better genes.

Anyway, it isn't even a malapropism, thicko

 

[Muddyfox]

I know I shouldn't judge but it also makes me jump to the uninformed conclusion that the writer is a bit thick

That ... my friend is insulting to those that dont share your level of obvious education - intelligence and higher being

Simon

 

[rh100]

I don't pick anyone's posts apart "face to face" as I said earlier, I like to think I'm too polite to do that.

But what is so wrong, in a general thread like this one, to point out the general error? Is no one allowed to correct things any more? I would prefer to have any errors I make pointed out to me so that I can learn something new.

If no one is ever corrected then errors perpetuate.

I accept that - but others do pick.

I just feel the thread is out of place - you not only point out the error - you ask for people to comply with correct grammar - as I say it is only a forum.

 

[vernon]

The thread isn't about the quality of education but the quality of written English. I didn't see Debian's post as being snobbish. The use of poor English does not discriminate. It cuts across all social classes and professions.

 

[ELL]

This is just the evolution of language. If you go back 100 years chances are you would not have understood fully what people were saying. Go forward 100 years and should of and would of will just be how they said it in the olden days.

Anyway life is to short to be worrying about how people type stuff on an Internet forum. If it bugs you that much go out get some friends and have a real conversation

 

[potsy]

Listening to the radio the other day,the phrase of the moment seemed to be 'off of' as in- "that actor off of Eastenders". Might be correct but sounds wrong.

 

[rich p]

The thread isn't about the quality of education but the quality of written English. I didn't see Debian's post as being snobbish. The use of poor English does not discriminate. It cuts across all social classes and professions.

Vernon, I'm surprised at you. Of course lower educational standards and grammar are weighted heavily towards the poorer sections of society. Careful though or this will get dumped into P&L or even Room 101