Community Chat

[Sadiesadie]

@just bee: That is exactly the one I was specifically thinking of. It pops up so automatically whenever I'm writing that word. All these years later and there it is. Small thing but still helps me. I appreciate so much that my grammar is correct and people thru my life cared enough about me....and obviously all others of our generation....to make sure I could go out and present myself as halfway smart anyway.

[mousiegirl]

Of course, I hate the use of "you guys."  I thought it was new, but in watching old tv shows such as I Love Lucy, it it used in that show, among many others, so it has been around for a long time though I hadn't heard it's usage until a few years ago.

[Carmie]

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@PeterDM wrote:

When I was a senior in high school, I was editor of the school newspaper, and I also had a weekly column in the local paper about special events in high schools in our area.  One time, I interviewed the principal of a school in his office.  During the conversation, he said "you's guys," and when he spelled out someone's name for me, he pronounced the letter, "H," "heych."  I don't expect the plumber to have perfect grammar, but a high school principal?  I'd equate that with a priest cursing on the altar.  The funny thing is, my sister's high school sweetheart, who spoke similarly, is now principal of that school!

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Peter, I wonder if that HS Principal was from Pennsylvania.  We have an whole area in our state where people say heych instead of H.  We know immediately where they are from.  I have never heard anyone from another area use that pronounaction before.

[Jordan2]

I know I am not perfect so when I hear something I know isn't correct I just let it go. I would never want to embarrass someone by correcting them.

[chickenbutt]

I guess I'm one of those for whom poor grammar is unsettling.  That's not to say that in every single aspect of life I would expect to ONLY hear the most perfect grammar.  I'd like to see people see this from a more realistic POV and not some of the extremes I'm seeing here.  

For me there were two separate aspects on this subject that made me feel the way I do - 1)   Back in the day, when I was in school, grammar was taught in elementary school.  You learned VERY early on, so it was easy to just go on and take that with you; and 2)   It was beat into me at home, throughout my childhood.  To this day, I actually DO flinch when I hear/read something that is just really out in right field, grammar-wise.   I can almost feel the back of that hand, or the weapon du jour, coming at me.

So, yes, I do have a rather visceral reaction to really poor grammar.   But I don't think I judge as harshly as some would on the opposite end of that.  Some people said some pretty awful things about people for whom good grammar is important.

Every tiny thing doesn't get in my craw, but there are a few that make me cringe more than most.  For example, one already mentioned - 'I should have went'.   Two sentences that have never left my head (I really wish they would!) were 'It don't make me no never mind' and 'me and him was best friends'.     Those are extreme poor grammar examples, but I've heard both of them more than once.

For me, also, a turning point in my relationship with poor grammar was when the word 'aint' went into the dictionary - the ACTUAL dictionary!!!    What the heck?   

Anyway, that's my story and I'm not here to judge anybody harshly but I just feel like, just as in the extreme ways I had to learn good grammar but to varying degrees for others, I do understand why poor grammar is really very bothersome to others.  

Sorry if there are any typos.  My typing has been rather poor lately due to some challenges.  

[shoesnbags]

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@151949 wrote:

Certainly a teacher in a classroom is not the same as others judging and correcting co posters on a chat board, where, IMO, it is a rude thing to do. Especially considering there are people posting from every education level, every economic status, every one of the thousands of cultures in America etc etc. Just because you got a better grade in English or typing does not make you a better person, or your opinions more important.

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Re-read the OP.  She didn't say anything posters on a chat board.  She said that she "HEARS this everywhere, including media."  Then she asks everyone to "please SPEAK correctly." She's not talking about written language in her post; she's talking about how people speak in everyday life. 

[Jazzygurl]

Here's one....mines.  Example:  I bought mines at the store.

[adoreqvc]

When I read someone's incorrect writing, or hear the English language butchered by so many children, adults, and accomplished professionals who are all born in the U.S.A. and many with prestigious positions, it greatly saddens me.

What saddens me even more is the fact that these individuals received what is referred to as a very good, or the best eduction $ can buy, but nevertheless their incorrect utilization of the English language leaves a lot to be desired.

In all honesty, it is quite painful to witness in any form.

[brii]

I cringe when I hear or see the word "ain't". 

So many people have poor grammar and punctuation skills.   In this day and age of spellcheck, spelling mistakes should not be tolerated.

[sunsetblvd]

This will probably be viewed as a "run on" sentence, but maybe if you had chosen to use your credentials instead of putting it in a drawer, this problem could have been drastically reduced.  I went to nursing school to help people.  I'm so glad I didn't stick in a drawer and then complain about sick people.