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Post by Gareth (Gotham Panther) on Oct 5, 2004 12:14:55 GMT
Further to a recent post regarding correct grammar, is it just me, or has the education system failed in teaching when to use 'of'?
The phonetic use of 'could of', 'would of' and 'should of', instead of the correct use of '...have' is apparently endemic.
Whether or not JC and/or PM should have been banned for a game/games/life for their activities last Saturday evening is the hot topic this week. Just note that there is no 'of' in that sentence.
End of lesson. Break time.
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Helen
Ross Lambert
Posts: 1,322
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Post by Helen on Oct 5, 2004 12:16:18 GMT
And I thought I'd be able to pass my free period without being educated  |
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Post by bobness on Oct 5, 2004 12:32:48 GMT
Thankyou Gareth, wise words.
I'm fairly sure this idea that "if you don't know how to spell it, guess the spelling like it sounds" that they seem to teach these days is to blame. I was taught, and not that long ago, (honestly) "if you don't know how to spell it, look it up and learn it".
Also note
there - "in, at, or to that place or position". (amongst others)
their - "of or belonging to them or themselves"
Illustration:-
Over there, there are their suitcases.
If you want some truly hilarious/depressing written English, you only need go to the icewars.co.uk forum. Appalling.
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Doughnut
Forum Admin 
mmmmmm ... Doughnuts
Posts: 5,072
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Post by Doughnut on Oct 5, 2004 13:07:05 GMT
Further to a recent post regarding correct grammar, is it just me, or has the education system failed in teaching when to use 'of'? The phonetic use of 'could of', 'would of' and 'should of', instead of the correct use of '...have' is apparently endemic. Whether or not JC and/or PM should have been banned for a game/games/life for their activities last Saturday evening is the hot topic this week. Just note that there is no 'of' in that sentence. End of lesson. Break time. Possibly not quite a 'Talk Hockey' topic, but a good point none the less. Will future lessons include 'to, two and too', 'where, were, we're and wear' and 'hear and here'? Anyone wanting to do some background research before the above lessons could have a look here (there's a nice little work sheet to do). |
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Ian
Matt Myers
Posts: 1,702
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Post by Ian on Oct 5, 2004 14:03:55 GMT
A topic close to my heart!
Aside from poor and careless spelling and grammar, it would help if posters would spend a few seconds reading their own posts before hitting the "Post" button. That way they could correct any glaring errors, rather than those who subsequently read it having to decipher it for themselves.
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Post by girdeaux on Oct 5, 2004 14:06:26 GMT
A topic close to my heart! Aside from poor and careless spelling and grammar, it would help if posters would spend a few seconds reading their own posts before hitting the "Post" button. That way they could correct any glaring errors, rather than those who subsequently read it having to decipher it for themselves. Or simply re-read their post when they've actually posted it, and use the modify button if applicable Tim, please take note  |
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Post by martin on Oct 5, 2004 14:06:34 GMT
your vs. you're...
*sigh*
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MP
Paul Adey
Hail hurts and rain is cold. Summer in the mountains
Posts: 6,811
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Post by MP on Oct 5, 2004 14:23:25 GMT
Could someone please give guidance on the use of the apostrophe. I have trouble remembering the correct usage.  |
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Doughnut
Forum Admin
mmmmmm ... Doughnuts
Posts: 5,072
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Post by Doughnut on Oct 5, 2004 14:27:47 GMT
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Lynne
Pat Casey
Posts: 378
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Post by Lynne on Oct 5, 2004 17:22:17 GMT
All these topics, and many many more are covered in the excellent, humourous but thorough, approach to punctuation in "Eats, Shoots and Leaves". BJ - how about we make it recommended reading before anyone is allowed to post?  MP, I would explain the apostrophe, but it has so many exceptions its difficult. As rule of thumb, it shows missing letters eg has not -> hasn't or possession eg the Panthers' Coach left Bracknell. If the owner is plural eg in the is case Panthers then the apostrophe goes after the last s. There are arguments about whether another s is required. However, if you apply those two rules you won't be far out. Everyone please note the difference between its and it's. It's is a shortened version of "it is", whereas its denotes ownership and so doesn't have an apostrophe eg The dog licked its foot. I'm not on commision for Eats, Shoot and Leaves, but I really do recommend it. I tried several grammar books to repair the damage done to me by my schooling, but they were all really dry. ESL is the only one I have managed to read a significant proportion of. |
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Post by bobness on Oct 5, 2004 20:33:02 GMT
While we're educating everyone.....
The other thoroughly wonderful and well written (i.e. not techy) English language book I swear by is "Troublesome Words" by Bill Bryson. Not just a travel writer.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2004 21:07:37 GMT
I was given a good example of use of the apostrophe many years ago. Consider the difference between the following sentences.
"There was no food left in the house so he ate the dog's"
"There was no food left in the house so he ate the dogs"
First sentence - apostrophe indicates the possessive, i.e. he ate the dog's dinner (or dogs' if there is more than one jack russell). Second sentence - no apostrophe, i.e. he actually ate the dogs.
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Warren
Greg Hadden
Posts: 1,467 
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Post by Warren on Oct 6, 2004 6:58:32 GMT
I will hold my hands up. I couldn't spel to save my life. without Spell checker I would get linched everyday by my fellow work mates. My point is that I know I can't spell, (The reason being that I was forced to use my right hand until I was 7 and I am left handed, I hate anything where handwriting is involved.) I do tend to mis-spell when I am in a rush (Desperate to get a post in before my lunch ends or Feel I have to get my point accross as soon as possible)
I know my faults and as bad as they may be Don't shoot me for misuse of commas, apostraphes or not being able to spell absoloutlycalafragalisticaistbealidoustious. I am a mere human and get hurt by people pokeing fun at my lack of attention at school.
If there are spelling errors or gramma errors I apologise. I am in a rush, I should have started work and Internet useage during work time is frowned upon!
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Post by martin on Oct 6, 2004 8:45:31 GMT
mmmm... dog! Only joking peeps!  ;D |
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Rink Rush
Pat Casey
Temporary Photo
Posts: 255
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Post by Rink Rush on Oct 6, 2004 9:08:30 GMT
I'm not on commision for Eats, Shoot and Leaves, but I really do recommend it. You can get if from Fopp on Queens Street (Could be Kings Street. I can never remember - just down from the main Post Office) for £7 at the moment. Sadly I'm not on commission either. |
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Lynne
Pat Casey
Posts: 378
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Post by Lynne on Oct 6, 2004 16:46:43 GMT
I will hold my hands up. I couldn't spel to save my life. without Spell checker I would get linched everyday by my fellow work mates. My point is that I know I can't spell, (The reason being that I was forced to use my right hand until I was 7 and I am left handed, I hate anything where handwriting is involved.) I do tend to mis-spell when I am in a rush (Desperate to get a post in before my lunch ends or Feel I have to get my point accross as soon as possible) I know my faults and as bad as they may be Don't shoot me for misuse of commas, apostraphes or not being able to spell absoloutlycalafragalisticaistbealidoustious. I am a mere human and get hurt by people pokeing fun at my lack of attention at school. If there are spelling errors or gramma errors I apologise. I am in a rush, I should have started work and Internet useage during work time is frowned upon! Warren, no one here is having a go at any individual. I would say that we are sharing our pet hates in language misuse, and maybe learning a little from each other at the same time. Your posts are "average" in terms of misspells and grammar (and I'm certainly not claiming mine are any better!), so don't feel at all picked upon. If you hadn't said anything I would have assumed you mistyped a couple of words and were in a rush! Oh, and I take my hat off to you for being realistic enough to accept your spelling "problem" and use the tools available ie spellchecker. So many people who could seriously benefit from it don't! |
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Post by Bretters on Oct 6, 2004 23:38:23 GMT
I really dont see any problem at all if someone gets a word or bit of grammar wrong on here. I admit that im not the brightest person, and do make mistakes, but as long as people can read your posts and understand what it says then i dont see a problem at all.
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Doughnut
Forum Admin
mmmmmm ... Doughnuts
Posts: 5,072
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Post by Doughnut on Oct 7, 2004 8:42:16 GMT
without Spell checker I would get linched everyday by my fellow work mates. My point is that I know I can't spell You're not alone there! My spelling isn't great either (I'm dyslexic) that's why I use a spell checker. I'd be lost without MS Word. I know my earlier post was probably a bit harsh, but certain grammar mistakes are a pet hate of mine (and many other people too). Most of these mistakes are easy to avoid. I don't mean to cause offence though. As you and others have pointed out these pet hates are in the main quite irrational, most pet hates of any kind are. Of course it doesn’t really matter if people make the odd mistake as long as you know what they’re trying to say. That doesn't stop it from bugging me though.  |
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;D
