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24 May 2006, 21:46
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#1
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bound & gagged
Join Date: May 2001
Location: BMEzine.com
Posts: 221
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Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Inspired by this...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yahwe
P.S. (in re your other thread) now you have all this time on your hands could you be a dear and learn the difference between less and fewer? there's a good chap.
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..I thought Id make a thred to find out if there are more pedants among us.
Personaly bad spelling/misuse of words online REALY anoys me. I dont mind misssed apostruphes or capital letters, but some things that ppl habitualy type make my brain hurt.
xamples are:
- people who don't know the difference between your/you're, and there/they're/their
- people who say 'this data'
- people who say 'alot'
- people who say 'it's' when they mean 'its'. though the reverse doesn't bother me so much.
Those are probably top of my hitlist...now tell me urs!
__________________
-vampy-
e.v.o.l.v.e
Last edited by vampy; 25 May 2006 at 00:12.
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24 May 2006, 21:49
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#2
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.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,382
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
i have plenty, you mentioned most but these two always come to mind too: i'm/im, have/of.
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24 May 2006, 21:57
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#3
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Insanely Insignificant
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 1,056
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
To be fair, as long as somebody's post is approaching readable i'm not too worried.
I don't go out of my way to correct other peoples' spelling/grammar etc as i'm rather prone to screwing up my own due to laziness.
However, their/they're/there does annoy me slightly but not as much as 'txt speek' and the general use of numbers inappropriately - gr8, h8 etc
__________________
Very nearly there.
All is nothing, without you.
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24 May 2006, 21:57
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#4
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:alpha:
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 7,871
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vampy
..I thought I'd make a thread to find out if there are more pedants among us.
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You're supposed to use three fullstops in a line in that context.
__________________
"There is no I in team, but there are two in anal fisting"
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24 May 2006, 22:00
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#5
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mmm lambs
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: London
Posts: 1,906
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
The only thing that really bothers me is Americanised spellings.
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I drink therefore I am
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24 May 2006, 22:03
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#6
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I am.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,580
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomkat
You're supposed to use three fullstops in a line in that context.
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In the context of what?
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hi
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24 May 2006, 22:04
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#7
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I am.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,580
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by midge5
The only thing that really bothers me is Americanised spellings.
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Americanized
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hi
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24 May 2006, 22:06
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#8
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Vermin Supreme
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 3,280
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
what's wrong with "this data"?
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24 May 2006, 22:06
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#9
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:alpha:
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 7,871
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yahwe
In the context of what?
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It's what I was taught
It was the only criticism I could make of her post
__________________
"There is no I in team, but there are two in anal fisting"
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24 May 2006, 22:07
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#10
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I am.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,580
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomkat
It's what I was taught
It was the only criticism I could make of her post
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That's true.
However while you made that criticism you also made a mistake.
innit
__________________
hi
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24 May 2006, 22:12
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#11
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.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,382
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by acropolis
what's wrong with "this data"?
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data is singular, however it's not really wrong per se anymore since it seems to have been accepted through common use.
speaking of which, i'm also irritated by per se/per say.
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24 May 2006, 22:14
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#12
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The Twilight of the Gods
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 23,481
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jerome
i have plenty
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Try capitalising your sentences.
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24 May 2006, 22:15
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#13
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Born Sinful
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Loughborough, UK
Posts: 4,059
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
American spellings of english words (hello to you, "center").
People who can't work out where an apostrophe goes. "Wont" has an entirely different meaning to "won't" you guys, go look it up.
People who still, after god knows how many years of being taught, can't use a comma or a paragraph properly.
On a slight side-track, there should be more use of the colon* and the semicolon!
* LAWL BUTSECKS
__________________
Worth dying for. Worth killing for. Worth going to hell for. Amen.
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24 May 2006, 22:18
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#14
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,382
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrL_JaKiri
Try capitalising your sentences.
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no thanks, that's also another pet hate of mine, although it's only prevalent whenever i type rather than write. i'm not too sure why though.
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24 May 2006, 22:19
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#15
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Born Sinful
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Loughborough, UK
Posts: 4,059
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
On the semicolon thing, many people tend to use a hyphen instead.
The two are largely interchangeable so I guess it's ok; I like semicolons because they make me look refined!
The two are largely interchangeable so I guess it's ok - I like semicolons because they make me look refined!
See?
__________________
Worth dying for. Worth killing for. Worth going to hell for. Amen.
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24 May 2006, 22:28
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#16
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Vermin Supreme
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 3,280
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jerome
data is singular,
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Quote:
Data is the plural of datum.
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:/
Quote:
Originally Posted by meglamaniac
The two are largely interchangeable so I guess it's ok; I like semicolons because they make me look refined!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by meglamaniac
The two are largely interchangeable so I guess it's ok - I like semicolons because they make me look refined!
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without question.
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24 May 2006, 22:29
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#17
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.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,382
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
i've been lied to!
(i'm going to research this)
edit: seems i'm wrong according to dictionary.com and wait no i was an idiot and misread many contexts. vampy was right, this data is still wrong, it should be 'these' etc
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24 May 2006, 22:34
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#18
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Vermin Supreme
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 3,280
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jerome
i've been lied to!
(i'm going to research this)
edit: seems i'm wrong according to dictionary.com and frankly, i blame vampy!
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however,
normally 'this' does go with singular ("this post sucks")
where 'these' goes with the plural ("all of these posts of mine suck")
but if someone used the phrase "these data" in my presence i would definitely kick them in the face twice (the plural), so i'm not sure what she was suggesting. hence my post.
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24 May 2006, 22:37
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#19
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I am.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,580
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
i don't like people who to the splitting of infinities object.
it's a modern rule that stifles expression.
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hi
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24 May 2006, 22:37
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#20
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.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,382
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
read my 2nd edit.
(hmm, i also just noticed it doesn't show "x has edited this post blalba" anymore so you can't actually tell.)
though all this being said, this data is now accepted by the majority (also highlighted somewhat in; http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=data )
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24 May 2006, 22:40
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#21
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Next goal wins!
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: London
Posts: 5,406
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
rediculous
your/you're
neccessary
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bastard bastard bastard bastard
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24 May 2006, 22:42
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#22
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USS Oklahoma
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,500
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Words such as "innit".
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Ignorance is curable, stupidity is not.
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24 May 2006, 22:43
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#23
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I am.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,580
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
the data/datum question is boringly complicated.
it really depends on the subject.
when refering to a sheet of paper containing several lines of datum it is acceptable to say 'this' because you are refering to the sheet, which is a singular coagulation of the many, not the data as an independent whole.
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hi
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24 May 2006, 22:44
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#24
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Vermin Supreme
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 3,280
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jerome
read my 2nd edit.
(hmm, i also just noticed it doesn't show "x has edited this post blalba" anymore so you can't actually tell.)
though all this being said, this data is now accepted by the majority (also highlighted somewhat in; http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=data )
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this post refutes all five statements of fact made by the edit it refers to.
somewhat impressive thinks i.
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24 May 2006, 22:45
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#25
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Vermin Supreme
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 3,280
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deepflow
rediculous
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yeah that one really needs to get stomped without mercy.
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24 May 2006, 22:46
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#26
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I am.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,580
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by dda
Words such as "innit".
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you wound me.
P.S. henry we all know that it is necessary for a shirt to have one collar and two sleeves
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hi
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24 May 2006, 22:49
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#27
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.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,382
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by acropolis
this post refutes all five statements of fact made by the edit it refers to.
somewhat impressive thinks i.
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yeah, i meant to make a third edit whilst i slowly managed to read through the page in it's wholesome, i jumped to conclusions and eventually just gave up bothering as the link explains everything. revision and posting do not mix.
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24 May 2006, 23:05
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#28
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I see you!
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: In any girl
Posts: 2,825
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
When communicating with people on the internet I'm happy as long as I understand what they write (or intend to write). But if it's an article made by a newspaper or any other things that is supposed to be "formal", I easily get annoyed over it.
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24 May 2006, 23:40
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#29
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 8,476
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
It annoys me when people complain about grammatical 'rules' which dont matter. Less/fewer is a good example because it makes no difference whatsoever. There is no possible situation in which your meaning would be obscured because you said 'less' instead of 'fewer', so its really just an excuse for people who know a bit more about grammar to feel superior to those who dont. "Who/whom" is another example of this, as is splitting infinitives, not using apostraphes in words like "can't", and the infamous "you and I".
The only time 'rules' matter is when disobeying them actually creates confusion or ambiguity of meaning. Abuse of punctuation is a good example of this as is riteing all ur psts in AOL speek. Prescriptive grammar is generally silly.
Last edited by Nodrog; 24 May 2006 at 23:51.
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25 May 2006, 00:02
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#30
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1up on you
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 4,007
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vampy
- people who don't know the difference between your/you're, and there/they're/their
- people who say 'this data'
- people who say 'alot'
- people who say 'it's' when they mean 'its'. though the reverse doesn't bother me so much.
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;/ some of us are just dumb
__________________
pig
[ 1u p]
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25 May 2006, 00:43
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#31
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Vermin Supreme
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 3,280
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nodrog
It annoys me when people complain about grammatical 'rules' which dont matter. Less/fewer is a good example because it makes no difference whatsoever. There is no possible situation in which your meaning would be obscured because you said 'less' instead of 'fewer', so its really just an excuse for people who know a bit more about grammar to feel superior to those who dont. "Who/whom" is another example of this, as is splitting infinitives, not using apostraphes in words like "can't", and the infamous "you and I".
The only time 'rules' matter is when disobeying them actually creates confusion or ambiguity of meaning. Abuse of punctuation is a good example of this as is riteing all ur psts in AOL speek. Prescriptive grammar is generally silly.
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however, in this perspective proper grammar is defined by what is understood,
which in turn is defined by the listener/reader most incapable of understanding.
Leaving the following dilemma:
Do we want the most intelligent people defining right and wrong (and perhaps lording it over the rest),
or the least intelligent?
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25 May 2006, 00:51
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#32
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PA Team
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: England or Wales
Posts: 335
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vampy
Inspired by this...
..I thought Id make a thred to find out if there are more pedants among us.
Personaly bad spelling/misuse of words online REALY anoys me. I dont mind misssed apostruphes or capital letters, but some things that ppl habitualy type make my brain hurt.
xamples are:
- people who don't know the difference between your/you're, and there/they're/their
- people who say 'this data'
- people who say 'alot'
- people who say 'it's' when they mean 'its'. though the reverse doesn't bother me so much.
Those are probably top of my hitlist...now tell me urs!
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Your entire post annoys me. There are two N's in annoy, two L's in personally, thread has an 'a' in it, need I go on? ..
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25 May 2006, 00:57
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#33
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 8,476
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by acropolis
however, in this perspective proper grammar is defined by what is understood,
which in turn is defined by the listener/reader most incapable of understanding.
Leaving the following dilemma:
Do we want the most intelligent people defining right and wrong (and perhaps lording it over the rest),
or the least intelligent?
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Being intelligent has nothing to do with it, pretty much every single change to language ever has been opposed by those who considered themselves 'intelligent' and 'men of words'. Our language managed to evolve from Olde English to what we have now despite constant protestations so I doubt that continuing to ignore prescriptive grammarians is going to destroy English. If "the intelligent" had their way then latin would probably still be the language of choice for educated people.
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25 May 2006, 01:24
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#34
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 227
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nodrog
There is no possible situation in which your meaning would be obscured because you said 'less' instead of 'fewer', so its really just an excuse for people who know a bit more about grammar to feel superior to those who dont.
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non-native speakers/readers of english are not a possible situation?
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25 May 2006, 03:16
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#35
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,290
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
I'm pretty tolerant when it comes to grammar or spelling, I guess that is because I don't care much about how I write myself. The only thing that annoys me is this 'leet-speak' with things like 'u r'. What's the point? In exchange for saving four letters you make the text unreadable. I agree with Nod. As long as it's not confusing it really doesn't matter.
PS I actually had no idea that it's important whether I use 'fewer' or 'less'. I would just use whatever sounds right
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im not tolerant, i just dont care.
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25 May 2006, 04:13
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#36
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Flying Hamster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 48
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by myk
Your entire post annoys me. There are two N's in annoy, two L's in personally, thread has an 'a' in it, need I go on? ..
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And iirc there is an E in Example
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#spacehamsters
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25 May 2006, 05:05
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#37
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Commodore
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 3,176
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by acropolis
but if someone used the phrase "these data" in my presence i would definitely kick them in the face twice (the plural), so i'm not sure what she was suggesting. hence my post.
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The data?
As an aside, i think i am one of the people that must really annoy alot of people in this thread. Such as my frequent use of 'alot' instead of 'a lot'. I also seem to do many of the other misspellings, but ah well :\
Americanisations (lol yahwe) really irk me too. Center, Mom, decentrali zation - but in particular color really stands out for me. For some reason, i read it as "Koe Lore" as opposed to colour which is more like Kulla. Yes, whinge at my accent .
There are other things that irk me too, though i tend to notice them more in speech - namely "youse" generates an autocorrect from me; "you". :\
__________________
#Strategy ; #Support - Sovereign
--- --- ---
"The Cake is a Lie."
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25 May 2006, 07:48
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#38
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The Twilight of the Gods
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 23,481
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nodrog
Less/fewer is a good example because it makes no difference whatsoever. There is no possible situation in which your meaning would be obscured because you said 'less' instead of 'fewer'
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Incorrect. Some measures can be quantised or continuous, so, assuming the context has not been granted, confusion can arise.
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25 May 2006, 07:49
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#39
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Clerk
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 13,940
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Mine have already been mentioned. Misspelling of ridiculous, lack of capitalisation, use of the word 'innit' and people not noticing when language has evolved.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wu_trax
The only thing that annoys me is this 'leet-speak' with things like 'u r'
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I wouldn't say that was symptomatic of "leet speak" - that's AOL speak, if it's anything. Leet speak is more to do with "hax0rs", "b0xen", "pwning n00bs" and so forth. In the early days of leet speak on bulletin boards, I doubt anyone would get away with writing "u r". If anything, writing in leet was more effort, not less.
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25 May 2006, 08:08
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#40
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Has Soup On His Head
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,095
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vampy
Inspired by this...
..I thought Id make a thred to find out if there are more pedants among us.
Personaly bad spelling/misuse of words online REALY anoys me. I dont mind misssed apostruphes or capital letters, but some things that ppl habitualy type make my brain hurt.
xamples are:
- people who don't know the difference between your/you're, and there/they're/their
- people who say 'this data'
- people who say 'alot'
- people who say 'it's' when they mean 'its'. though the reverse doesn't bother me so much.
Those are probably top of my hitlist...now tell me urs!
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No No No No NO!
For gods sake, you have no idea the amount of Pedantry we have to put up with on a daily basis. For the love of god PLEASE dont encourage them to try and force their own grammatical standards onto the rest of us!
__________________
And the Banker, inspired with a courage so new
It was matter for general remark,
Rushed madly ahead and was lost to their view
In his zeal to discover the Snark
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25 May 2006, 09:31
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#41
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Banned
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Further to the right
Posts: 19,441
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurashima
No No No No NO!
For gods sake, you have no idea the amount of Pedantry we have to put up with on a daily basis. For the love of god PLEASE dont encourage them to try and force their own grammatical standards onto the rest of us!
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I hope someone forces your head under the water.
__________________
Some might ask what good is life without purpose but I'm anticipating a good lunch.
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25 May 2006, 09:39
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#42
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Lord Denning
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: City of London
Posts: 2,548
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultimate Newbie
but in particular color really stands out for me. For some reason, i read it as "Koe Lore"
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In other words, "colon" with a different final letter. What lovely images you must have when you read American English ("I love all the different colors in this room", "This painting is just an explosion of color", etc.).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultimate Newbie
as opposed to colour which is more like Kulla. Yes, whinge at my accent .
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If there is something bad about your accent, it's not apparent here, since that's how "colour" should be pronounced.
__________________
Please bear in mind when reading the above post that I am always right.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marilyn Manson
He was crowned in York Cathedral as 'Expert in the West' by Pope Urban III in 1186.
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25 May 2006, 10:19
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#43
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Jazz Man
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,494
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
People that start a sentance with "and".
People that use a comma before the word "and".
__________________
Marv
Ex ROCK HC & PA Team Head of Support.
Last edited by Marv; 25 May 2006 at 14:45.
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25 May 2006, 10:25
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#44
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Clerk
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 13,940
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv
Poeple [!] that start a sentance with "and".
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That's sometimes acceptable (the and thing I mean).
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25 May 2006, 10:27
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#45
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Has Soup On His Head
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,095
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by JonnyBGood
I hope someone forces your head under the water.
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Im particularly unimpressed with this comment.
__________________
And the Banker, inspired with a courage so new
It was matter for general remark,
Rushed madly ahead and was lost to their view
In his zeal to discover the Snark
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25 May 2006, 10:48
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#46
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Banned
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Further to the right
Posts: 19,441
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurashima
Im particularly unimpressed with this comment.
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"I'm"
__________________
Some might ask what good is life without purpose but I'm anticipating a good lunch.
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25 May 2006, 10:49
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#47
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Has Soup On His Head
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,095
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by JonnyBGood
"I'm" "a" "Cock"
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__________________
And the Banker, inspired with a courage so new
It was matter for general remark,
Rushed madly ahead and was lost to their view
In his zeal to discover the Snark
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25 May 2006, 10:55
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#48
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Gone
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,656
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
"Genious"
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25 May 2006, 10:57
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#49
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 8,476
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv
Poeple that start a sentance with "and".
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This is generally fine.
Quote:
People that use a comma before the word "and".
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And so is this
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25 May 2006, 11:43
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#50
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Drink is Good
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,122
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Re: Grammar/spelling: what really annoys you?
Vampy
__________________
Can we please have a moment of silence...........
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