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Question for the grammar nazis

24

Comments

  • #32
    Legs.Eleven
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,987 ✭✭✭Legs.Eleven


    shopaholic01 wrote: »
    I think I'll order the ear to the iron. :pac:

    Interesting that you didn't go for the "Sepia to the iron with the ali smelt"? :confused: Thought that would've been more to your taste?


  • #33
    HeidiHeidi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 33,620 ✭✭✭✭HeidiHeidi


    Hell Ram wrote: »
    Not aimed at the OP, but when I find people bang on about grammar I can't help but feel, in most cases, it's to mask a lack of actual intelligence and so simply give the impression to people (and themselves) that they're above average in that respect.

    Especially on boards.

    If you're running a business though you should really have someone double check it anyway.

    I'd consider myself reasonably intelligent, but was taught grammar very well in national school, and bad grammar in signs/reports/posts on boards/wherever sets my teeth on edge.

    I don't consider myself better or worse than anyone else because I can spell and punctuate properly - but it drives me NUTS when I see (what I consider) obvious bloopers in writing.

    So (despite my earlier slagging), I'm with the OP on this one.

    What she should do about it, though, I'm not so sure - wear blinkers maybe? 99% of the population either won't know what you're on about if you do complain, or else won't give a **** and think you're a nutcase.


  • #34
    gg2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭gg2


    Hell Ram wrote: »
    Not aimed at the OP, but when I find people bang on about grammar I can't help but feel, in most cases, it's to mask a lack of actual intelligence and so simply give the impression to people (and themselves) that they're above average in that respect.

    Especially on boards.

    It makes me cringe so much when I see someone correcting another posters grammar/ spelling:o


  • #35
    hairyprincess
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,300 ✭✭✭hairyprincess


    Hell Ram wrote: »
    Not aimed at the OP, but when I find people bang on about grammar I can't help but feel, in most cases, it's to mask a lack of actual intelligence and so simply give the impression to people (and themselves) that they're above average in that respect.

    Especially on boards.



    If you're running a business though you should really have someone double check it anyway.


    I don't care about personal grammar mistakes, I make plenty myself, as another poster pointed out above, and I understand lots of people are dyslexic, but a business needs to look professional. Attention to detail is very important.


  • #36
    endacl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,443 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    gg2 wrote: »
    It makes me cringe so much when I see someone correcting another posters grammar/ spelling:o

    Of course, you meant to type "poster's", didn't you?

    :D


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  • #37
    Peregrine
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 26,424 Mod ✭✭✭✭Peregrine


    Legs.Eleven wrote: »
    Interesting that you didn't go for the "Sepia to the iron with the ali smelt"? :confused: Thought that would've been more to your taste?

    Who's Ali and why have they smelt him with iron? :eek:


  • #38
    rwg
    Closed Accounts Posts: 445 ✭✭rwg


    HeidiHeidi wrote: »
    I'd consider myself reasonably intelligent, but was taught grammar very well in national school, and bad grammar in signs/reports/posts on boards/wherever sets my teeth on edge.

    I don't consider myself better or worse than anyone else because I can spell and punctuate properly - but it drives me NUTS when I see (what I consider) obvious bloopers in writing.

    So (despite my earlier slagging), I'm with the OP on this one.

    What she should do about it, though, I'm not so sure - wear blinkers maybe? 99% of the population either won't know what you're on about if you do complain, or else won't give a **** and think you're a nutcase.


    am I the only one who looked for errors on this post?


  • #39
    HeidiHeidi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 33,620 ✭✭✭✭HeidiHeidi


    rwg wrote: »
    am I the only one who looked for errors on this post?
    I checked it very carefully before pressing "submit" :D


  • #40
    Titzon Toast
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,610 ✭✭✭Titzon Toast


    Legs.Eleven wrote: »
    Interesting that you didn't go for the "Sepia to the iron with the ali smelt"? :confused: Thought that would've been more to your taste?

    Nah, the "wayward lettuce" is where it's at!


  • #41
    Ruu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,622 ✭✭✭Ruu


    I have a spare apostrophe here I'm more than willing to bring down to you. :D


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  • #42
    endacl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,443 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    rwg wrote: »
    am I the only one who looked for errors on this post?

    I only checked the appostroffies.


  • #43
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,606 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    A good chunk of my job involves writing scientific papers. Another chuck of that is editing those of my co authors and students. Good grammar aids effective communication and when you write a lot you start to appreciate it.

    Knowledge of the basics of your language is pretty useful, it's not that hard.


  • #44
    gg2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭gg2


    endacl wrote: »
    Of course, you meant to type "poster's", didn't you?

    :D

    Nope, I truly could not give a frig:P This is an internet forum, I type the way I text, quick and without a whole lot of thought:D


  • #45
    wandererz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,936 ✭✭✭wandererz


    OP, you are going to just LOVE this one:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057197818

    P.S. it hurts me too.


  • #46
    ardmacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,476 ✭✭✭ardmacha


    The OP should contact the company and compliment them (or even complement them ) on reaching out to the less educated market, one that is often ignored.


  • #47
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    bluewolf wrote: »
    Maybe. Still annoying though

    There was a pub in a nearby place with a sign up advertising "lunch been served"
    I wonder how many people didn't bother going in because it was saying lunch is over :p
    I'd reckon it could also have a silver lining; it might help to filter out the overly pedantic who are more likely to bitch and moan about feck all.

    Oh sure I can most definitely be a grammar nazi at times, but I see it as an ego failing and strive to use my indoor voice when out and about in the world. The world is full of things and people to smirk at, but that lens can so easily become a mirror, so I'd rather avoid that risk. Plus of all the human facial expressions the smirk of superiority is one of the more odious.

    Many worry about Artificial Intelligence. I worry far more about Organic Idiocy.



  • #48
    Sawyer Slow Munchies
    Posts: 81,308 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Sawyer Slow Munchies


    Wibbs wrote: »
    I'd reckon it could also have a silver lining; it might help to filter out the overly pedantic who are more likely to bitch and moan about feck all.

    Okay, I'm sorry if reading a sign saying that lunch is over and looking somewhere else is bitching and moaning :confused:

    I know it's very cool right now to smirk and engage in reverse snobbery though. Who do these people think they are anyway with their grammar and their spelling!
    Where's that xkcd comic gone about "at least you've found a way to feel superior to both"


  • #49
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,160 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I remember someone once dropped a computer into the shop I used to work in. My old boss pointed out that he was spelling the name of his company incorrectly. He initially denied it but I noticed recently that the signage was changed. :pac:


  • #50
    HeidiHeidi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 33,620 ✭✭✭✭HeidiHeidi


    Wibbs wrote: »
    I'd reckon it could also have a silver lining; it might help to filter out the overly pedantic who are more likely to bitch and moan about feck all.

    Oh sure I can most definitely be a grammar nazi at times, but I see it as an ego failing and strive to use my indoor voice when out and about in the world. The world is full of things and people to smirk at, but that lens can so easily become a mirror, so I'd rather avoid that risk. Plus of all the human facial expressions the smirk of superiority is one of the more odious.

    Who's smirking?

    Is it so wrong to want to see something done/written correctly, or even just to be annoyed (inwardly, obviously - God forbid you'd admit your "superiority" in public) when it's done/written incorectly :confused:


  • #51
    The One Doctor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,322 ✭✭✭The One Doctor


    bluewolf wrote: »
    It looks unprofessional and sloppy
    And if they can't get the basics right, what else do they skimp on?

    This is an internet forum, not an office.


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  • #52
    Shakespeare's Sister
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,412 ✭✭✭Shakespeare's Sister


    In my opinion there's quite a big difference between correcting someone's grammar/spelling/punctuation in a casual context, which I don't agree with (unless it's absolutely unreadable) and being of the opinion that businesses should proof-read. Although I don't know that I'd say it to the company.


  • #53
    Diane Selwyn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 257 ✭✭Diane Selwyn


    I find bad grammar absolutely grating so if I'm looking for representation then it would be a big issue but as a service user I'm less fussy - if I know that someone provides a good service then I don't care if they can't spell or conjugate verbs or etc.


  • #54
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    bluewolf wrote: »
    Okay, I'm sorry if reading a sign saying that lunch is over and looking somewhere else is bitching and moaning :confused:
    But it isn't saying that unless you're being a towering pedant, or high on the autism spectrum. You know exactly what it means, but choose to comment or berate it.
    I know it's very cool right now to smirk and engage in reverse snobbery though. Who do these people think they are anyway with their grammar and their spelling!
    Grammar and spelling is grand, but when it's got the oh so superior dickish smirk about the inferior dolts, it's less so to me.
    Where's that xkcd comic gone about "at least you've found a way to feel superior to both"
    Given a choice between the overly smug and the dolts, I'll take the "dolts" please Carol. Too much of the "aren't we so damned clever"(at a respectful distance, for our ego's sake) among the former.

    Many worry about Artificial Intelligence. I worry far more about Organic Idiocy.



  • #55
    Karl Stein
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭Karl Stein


    HeidiHeidi wrote: »
    I don't consider myself better or worse than anyone else because I can spell and punctuate properly - but it drives me NUTS when I see (what I consider) obvious bloopers in writing.

    There's no need for that hyphen.

    :pac:


  • #56
    Karl Stein
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭Karl Stein


    Wibbs wrote: »
    when it's got the oh so superior dickish smirk about the inferior dolts

    And all too often that's exactly the case. As if good grammar is indicative of anything other than the ability to follow rules. Oh you're good at following rules are you?

    How impressive!
    Sadly, desperately sadly, the only people who seem to bother with language in public today bother with it in quite the wrong way. They write letters to broadcasters and newspapers in which they are rude and haughty about other people’s usage and in which they show off their own superior ‘knowledge’ of how language should be. I hate that, and I particularly hate the fact that so many of these pedants assume that I’m on their side.

    stephenfry.com


  • #57
    JuliusCaesar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,886 ✭✭✭JuliusCaesar


    bluewolf wrote: »
    Okay, I'm sorry if reading a sign saying that lunch is over and looking somewhere else is bitching and moaning :confused:

    I know it's very cool right now to smirk and engage in reverse snobbery though. Who do these people think they are anyway with their grammar and their spelling!
    Wibbs wrote: »
    But it isn't saying that unless you're being a towering pedant, or high on the autism spectrum. You know exactly what it means, but choose to comment or berate it.

    Grammar and spelling is grand, but when it's got the oh so superior dickish smirk about the inferior dolts, it's less so to me.

    Given a choice between the overly smug and the dolts, I'll take the "dolts" please Carol. Too much of the "aren't we so damned clever"(at a respectful distance, for our ego's sake) among the former.

    I'm with bluewolf here. I don't feel superior to people but seriously it's not that difficult. However, having had a child whose primary school teacher didn't know the difference between they're/their/there, I *know* it's generally not their fault. There is a half-way point between "overly smug" and "dolt".


  • #58
    Shakespeare's Sister
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,412 ✭✭✭Shakespeare's Sister


    Is it out of order though to think a company shouldn't make spelling/grammar/punctuation errors? Like I said, I don't agree at all with correcting individuals' spelling/grammar/punctuation in informal settings.


  • #59
    Karl Stein
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭Karl Stein


    Magaggie wrote: »
    Is it out of order though to think a company shouldn't make spelling/grammar/punctuation errors?

    It depends I guess. If someone is getting their plumage ruffled because of a mistake on a chalk board in a pub then I'd say 'yeah'.


  • #60
    Earthhorse
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,728 ✭✭✭✭Earthhorse


    The One Doctor wrote: »
    This is an internet forum, not an office.
    But the thread is about a business the OP frequents, so that is an office, or a place of business.


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  • #61
    HeidiHeidi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 33,620 ✭✭✭✭HeidiHeidi


    Karl Stein wrote: »
    It depends I guess. If someone is getting their plumage ruffled because of a mistake on a chalk board in a pub then I'd say 'yeah'.
    I'd say "no" .


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