In reading through my daily email/discussion boards and snailmail, I am constantly annoyed with people who don't take the time to use proper English when I know they were born in the U.S..
People often use the wrong homonym - like using "there" when the person means to write "they're". I now notice it cropping up in legal agreements and official documents.
Another example is dropping the phrase "to be" . In this geographical area the trend is to say (and write) 'that broken window needs fixed' instead of 'that broken window needs to be fixed'.
Obviously, I am not an expert on grammar. I am sure I use incorrect grammar regularly and my spelling is only perfect when there is a spell-checker available. Yet I feel that people should have a basic grasp of English. The problem seems worse within IT. Many others around me don't see the big issue. Am I just getting old ? Should we be more careful with our communications or does it really matter as long as our audience can figure out what we really mean ?
Now if I could just figure out what this text message on my cell phone means ...
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start by blaming the cell text messaging. That is the number one source for people using very bad spelling, it migrated to the internet when dial up was the only connection option outside of major data centers.
"Another example is dropping the phrase "to be". In this geographical area the trend is to say (and write) 'that broken window needs fixed' instead of 'that broken window needs to be fixed'."
or the other option for phrasing this: That broken window needs fixing.
Considering that English is the least logical or consistent language in the world it's not actually surprising that people have a hard time with grammar, syntax and spelling even when they grow up speaking English.
Why does a word processor take so much disk space? Matter of fact, why does and Operating System take so much space? It isn't supose to do your work, it is just an environment to allow your APPLICATIONS to do your work.
again. Applications don't do my work for me. They're tools making me able to do my work on an easier way then writing or typing, drawing, sorting data and so on.
Bloatware is not the topic of this post. Here is another example: "It isn't <I>suppose</I>" "Supposed" is the word, my dear friend. I understand that the majority of us, techies, are high-school dropouts, but come on, does it mean that we have to sound like them too?
My three biggest pet peeves: Techies not using punctuation in emails. Techies not using capital letters in emails. Techies hunting-and-pecking the keyboards, as they are typing those emails. You only spend your whole day in front of the computer, learn to touch type, for sh#t's sake!
If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.
Am I the only one bothered by incorrect use of English in email ?
People often use the wrong homonym - like using "there" when the person means to write "they're". I now notice it cropping up in legal agreements and official documents.
Another example is dropping the phrase "to be" . In this geographical area the trend is to say (and write) 'that broken window needs fixed' instead of 'that broken window needs to be fixed'.
Obviously, I am not an expert on grammar. I am sure I use incorrect grammar regularly and my spelling is only perfect when there is a spell-checker available. Yet I feel that people should have a basic grasp of English. The problem seems worse within IT. Many others around me don't see the big issue. Am I just getting old ? Should we be more careful with our communications or does it really matter as long as our audience can figure out what we really mean ?
Now if I could just figure out what this text message on my cell phone means ...