Grammar vs. Grammer

[jesusarenque]

Many people here put question marks at the end of sentences that are not questions? I have no idea why? I think it is hilarious that people blame these mistakes on the fact that they "don't proofread" their posts?

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
Many people here put question marks at the end of sentences that are not questions? I have no idea why? I think it is hilarious that people blame these mistakes on the fact that they "don't proofread" their posts?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'll do this sometimes when it's kind of a statement where I'm really half asking a question. It's done intentionally when I do it.

[DrewDevil]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


This is a superb rationalization for the same kind of laziness that causes people to use incorrect spelling and grammar.

[/ QUOTE ]

that's complete and utter BS. using incorrect grammar makes you look like an uneducated moron and most people do it because they don't know any better. do you think i don't know that i'm supposed to capitalize the first letter of my sentences? you're absolutely wrong on this one drew.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mmm... not really my point. Would you write a business letter and mail it off with no capitalization? Of course not; you do it here because 'it's the internets and it doesn't really matter.'

This is the same excuse offered by people who can't be bother to spell or use correct grammar. Hey, it's the interweb, who cares?

[jesusarenque]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Many people here put question marks at the end of sentences that are not questions? I have no idea why? I think it is hilarious that people blame these mistakes on the fact that they "don't proofread" their posts?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'll do this sometimes when it's kind of a statement where I'm really half asking a question. It's done intentionally when I do it.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is still incorrect? That you do it intentionally makes it even worse? Do you see why.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Many people here put question marks at the end of sentences that are not questions? I have no idea why? I think it is hilarious that people blame these mistakes on the fact that they "don't proofread" their posts?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'll do this sometimes when it's kind of a statement where I'm really half asking a question. It's done intentionally when I do it.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is still incorrect?

[/ QUOTE ]
Strictly speaking, I'm sure it is. It's one of those things, though, that I think fits in the context of an online forum. Also, I think people do effectively the same thing in real life conversations. Have you never made a statement, but said it with the tone of a question, maybe as if you weren't really sure of what you were saying and looking for some sort of answer or confirmation from whoever you're talking to? Even if you haven't done this, then maybe you can think of it as being similar to "WTF" or "QFT," which are perfectly fine in the context of an online forum or chatroom, but I really hope you're not saying "double-yoo tee eff" in real life.

I'm trying to think of the last time I did this, so I can illustrate my point better, but I can't. It's not like I'm doing it all the time. Maybe we're thinking of different things? Did I just do it, or was that acceptable for you?

[splashpot]

[ QUOTE ]
I really hope you're not saying "double-yoo tee eff" in real life.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've heard people say that.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I really hope you're not saying "double-yoo tee eff" in real life.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've heard people say that.

[/ QUOTE ]
I know. It's sad.

[jesusarenque]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Many people here put question marks at the end of sentences that are not questions? I have no idea why? I think it is hilarious that people blame these mistakes on the fact that they "don't proofread" their posts?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'll do this sometimes when it's kind of a statement where I'm really half asking a question. It's done intentionally when I do it.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is still incorrect?

[/ QUOTE ]
Strictly speaking, I'm sure it is. It's one of those things, though, that I think fits in the context of an online forum. Also, I think people do effectively the same thing in real life conversations. Have you never made a statement, but said it with the tone of a question, maybe as if you weren't really sure of what you were saying and looking for some sort of answer or confirmation from whoever you're talking to? Even if you haven't done this, then maybe you can think of it as being similar to "WTF" or "QFT," which are perfectly fine in the context of an online forum or chatroom, but I really hope you're not saying "double-yoo tee eff" in real life.

I'm trying to think of the last time I did this, so I can illustrate my point better, but I can't. It's not like I'm doing it all the time. Maybe we're thinking of different things? Did I just do it, or was that acceptable for you?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, you just did it?

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Many people here put question marks at the end of sentences that are not questions? I have no idea why? I think it is hilarious that people blame these mistakes on the fact that they "don't proofread" their posts?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'll do this sometimes when it's kind of a statement where I'm really half asking a question. It's done intentionally when I do it.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is still incorrect?

[/ QUOTE ]
Strictly speaking, I'm sure it is. It's one of those things, though, that I think fits in the context of an online forum. Also, I think people do effectively the same thing in real life conversations. Have you never made a statement, but said it with the tone of a question, maybe as if you weren't really sure of what you were saying and looking for some sort of answer or confirmation from whoever you're talking to? Even if you haven't done this, then maybe you can think of it as being similar to "WTF" or "QFT," which are perfectly fine in the context of an online forum or chatroom, but I really hope you're not saying "double-yoo tee eff" in real life.

I'm trying to think of the last time I did this, so I can illustrate my point better, but I can't. It's not like I'm doing it all the time. Maybe we're thinking of different things? Did I just do it, or was that acceptable for you?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, you just did it?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, but can you not see why I did it, and does it not make sense? It's not the same thing as what you just did. It's effectively taking the place of "I think that we might be thinking of different things. Do you think we're thinking of different things?"

[maryfield48]

[ QUOTE ]
I am a nit when it comes to grammar, but I usually do not say anything about it because it is generally not appreciated and just makes me look like an ass. However, since it is the topic of this thread, here are a few things that irritate me when I hear or read them. Some have been mentioned already but not explained (for the rare few who are reading this thread and are actually interested in improving their speech).

- For Christ's sake: The proper term is "for Christ's sake" not "for Christ sakes". The phrase "for Christ's sake" is posessive; it means for the sake of Christ. "For Christ sakes" is meaningless. Christ is not an adjective, and he only has one sake.


[/ QUOTE ]

One of the ways that languages develop is to avoid unusual sound sequences. "For Christ's sake" is difficult to enunciate, for most English speakers. It is not in the least surprising that it should morph somewhat. Also, applying rigorous parsing to a cliche is pointless. The phrase has nothing to do with Christ, it has become a completely different entity in the lexicon that is simply an exclamation conveying exasperation. Whether there is a possessive and whether "sake" should be singular are irrelevant to this meaning.

[ QUOTE ]

- I could care less: The proper phrase is "I could not care less". To say "I could care less" means that you actually do care to some degree. Whenever somebody tells me, "I could care less" I always respond by asking, "How much less could you care?" Of course, they never get it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you Captain Obvious. Usage has sanctified this phrase. You've already lost this one.


[ QUOTE ]
- Further/Farther: The difference between these two words is that something which is "farther" can be physically measured, while something that is "further" cannot. "I can hit a golf ball twenty yards farther than Steve can." "My psychologist thought we needed to delve further into my problem."


- Fewer/Less: Fewer refers to a smaller amount which can be physically counted. "I have two fewer dollars than Chris." Less refers to a smaller amount which cannot be physically counted. "I have less money than Chris."

[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps you can come up with a situation in which for either of these using the 'correct' word has any value other than making the user feel superior. The fact is there is generally no additional (useful) information conveyed by farther rather than further, so why shouldn't the distinction die?


[ QUOTE ]
- Forte: The word is pronounced "fort" not "for-tay". For some reason, people get really defensive about this. They have always heard it pronounced "for-tay" and never "fort" so "for-tay" must be right. It is not. Forte' (pronounced "for-tay") is a word used in music to mean "play loudly". Forte (fort) is also commonly misused in definition. It means "strong point" or "that which somebody does best". It does not mean preference. "Bowling is not my forte" may be a true sentence, but if what you mean is you don't particularly care for bowling, then you used the word incorrectly. A better sentence would be, "Bowling is not my cup of tea".

[/ QUOTE ]

The pronunciation of "forte" has already been addressed. A significant number of people that read this post might not know the expression "my cup of tea". If clarity interests you perhaps you should just say "I don't like bowling".