Grammar - does no one care or is it just ignorance?

[Swampman]

Why is it that people seem to have ceased caring about grammar? It seems to be most prevalent on internet sites (this one included), and lesser print sources such as local newspapers like the Warren Sentinel. Words with completely different meanings are substituted such as "do" for "due." Spelling has also gone by the wayside. My local paper is replete with grammar and spelling errors every week!

I don't get it. I have a couple of thoughts about why this is happening. First, it is the education system in this country. The rules of grammar are no longer taught because teachers are too busy teaching to whatever the latest test happens to be. Second, people rely too much on so-called "smart phones" that are actually only as smart as the person pushing the buttons. Ever heard the saying "Garbage in, Garbage out?"

We are becoming a nation of partial illiterates.

[Kreutz]

Grammar are good.

[OakRidgeStars]

Progressives have succeeded in transforming schools into indoctrination centers, leaving kids to learn from the internet, media and text messaging.

Soon we will have an entire generation of Americans that are uneducated, unarmed and dependent. Just what progressives have always dreamed about.

And speaking of commonly confused words, why don't more people understand the difference between "break" and "brake"?

Muzzle break? Really?

[DryBones]

my biggest one is the use of: there, their and they're. two, to and too also get a lot of people in trouble.

[GeneFrenkle]

Well, let's not forget that we're not in a truly formal environment so some slang, colloquialisms, and other nonstandard structures are allowed. There is also the consideration for mobile devices with autocorrect, those silly soft keyboards where it's extremely easy to misspell words, and not proof reading posts prior to submitting them.

In general, I completely agree that grammar, syntax, spelling, and (in general) effective writing are on a strong decline. Elements of Style and others have fallen into disuse, unfortunately.

[SHMIV]

Bad Grammar. One of my pet peeves. I can't fault a few errors, here and there. I make errors, myself. But those who clearly don't put forth the effort really grate upon my nerves.

I've noticed that since my reading time is spent more on the internet, and less in thoughtfully written and carefully edited books, my grammer and vernacular have diminished in quality.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Chasbo00]

[allingeneral]

Ignorance and Laziness. It's the culture that's breeding right before our very eyes.

What drives me craziest is when people use text message short-hand outside of that medium. Like if I were to write a blog post that started out with

"U R silly if U think NE1 cares"

Drives me crazy... I've called my kids out on multiple occasions for using that when it wasn't appropriate to do so.

[tommy610]

My theory is it isn't getting worse. It just seems like it is, because of the internet. Twenty-five years ago, did you read the writings of a few dozen strangers every day? I know I didn't. Now I do. We're just being exposed to the writings of poor writers like we never were before.

Further, whether it's true or not, the prevailing attitude regarding all of this verbiage on the internet is that grammar doesn't matter. So even some good writers don't bother to re-read and correct errors.

[Tweaker]

As Rick said,it's both.

Grammar Gestapo and Spelling Stasi are preferred to grammar nazi IMO.

[GeneFrenkle]

@tommy610 - not from what I see. Over the last decade or so, just looking at applicant resumes (yes, _resumes_) there's a markedly greater problem with basic grammar and spelling. Technical documentation, too.

[dorminWS]

I've noticed it, too. I particularly have noticed a sharp increase in errors in newspapers. I've also been struck by the same kind of errors in e-books, and have wondered if it may be attributable to the capture technology for digitizing books. I'd say some is technology, some is because so much written communication is by way of a keyboard, and some is because e-mail, social media and forums like this one have more people doing more communicating by way of the written word. But I do think standards are slipping on grammar and spelling. And I, too, see a lot of misuse of words. And it seems to be getting worse. I think people who understand the proper use of the apostrophe must surely be a small minority these days.

I should also acknowledge that I frequently use nonstandard grammar and usages just as a way of asserting my rich cultural heritage and exercising my inborn cussedness. (Hey - if it works for ebonics, it ought to work for us Hillbillies. ) But just so y'all know, I am aware of it.

[Stratojaxter]

I guess I understand being a bit loose with grammar and spelling in texting, and even forum posts, as they are generally very informal, but even formal writing has taken a hit in recent years. I'm not one to actively search for "there, their, they're" mistakes, but I see flagrant abuse of the English language in newspapers every day. Some blame it on spell check, but honestly, what happened to simple proofreading. When I send an email, especially a business email, I always look it over carefully before I hit send. I would expect a newspaper reporter to do at least that before printing an article that thousands will read.

[allingeneral]

I think people who understand the proper use of the apostrophe must surely be a small minority these days.

OH! That's one that I can't stand!!! AHHH You guy's are killing me here!!

[Tweaker]

I think people who understand the proper use of the apostrophe must surely be a small minority these days.

OH! That's one that I can't stand!!! AHHH You guy's are killing me here!!

OK! I finally have acheived minority status! I WANT MAH FREE SHEEOT!

[FiremanBob]

It is ignorance. Grammar is no longer taught in the public schools. There are many young teachers who have terrible grammar themselves. There are also many teachers whose first language, and the one they use in the classroom, is ebonics.

The question reminds me of the football player who was asked by his coach: "What's your problem, is it ignorance or apathy?" He replied, "I don't know and I don't care."

[SpanishInquisition]

Welcome to education for the least common denominator.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[OakRidgeStars]

Good thing we have the Internet to educate us all

By the way, the public internet is 20 years old today!

How's that for a thread hijack.

[Chasbo00]

Teacher: “Josephine, give me a sentence beginning with I.”
Josephine: “I is …”
Teacher: “No, Josephine. It’s always ‘I am…’ ”
Josephine: “OK. I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.”

[thekinetic]

meh gremar bad 7hat unpossibel, i 4m smerter then dat!