Tuesday, Sep 27, 2005
If reading that title doesn't hurt your eyes, you need to work on your grammar.
Lately, I've taken it upon myself to fix grammatical errors whenever I see them in episode descriptions, allusions, trivia, notes, etc. Usually my edits are accepted, because hey, I'm right. But lately, a lot of them from a particular show have been rejected. Personally, I thought the grammatical errors in question were so obviously wrong that they didn't really need explanation, but that was my mistake. When I have time, I will resubmit them with a full and complete explanation, complete with sources from Dr. Grammaticians and whatnot. Here are some examples of what I tried to change, except using entirely made up stuff instead of the stuff I actually tried to change. I think I'm right (as always), but I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me if I'm actually wrong (but say it nicely!):
1: The words "mom" and "dad" should be capitalized when used as names, but left in lower case in other instances:
2: Words like "wanna" and "gonna" should be changed to "want to" and "going to". Yes, I know that when we speak it often sounds more like "wanna" than "want to", but spelling should never be based on pronunciation unless there is a very compelling reason. Writing "wanna" instead of "want to" is no different than writing "should of" instead of "should have" (and God help you if you don't know why "should of" is wrong!). I say "Warshington" when I speak, but I don't write it that way. In my mind, "wanna" and "gonna" are in the same category.
3: The first letter of a word after a comma should not be capitalized.
Very annoying, no?
4:
You were supposed to have learned this stuff in sixth grade English class! This is just not rocket science, people! Learn how to use the freakin' English language!
Ok, I'm getting bored with this blog entry, so I'm going to wrap it up and maybe do more later. Or maybe not. Meh.
Lately, I've taken it upon myself to fix grammatical errors whenever I see them in episode descriptions, allusions, trivia, notes, etc. Usually my edits are accepted, because hey, I'm right. But lately, a lot of them from a particular show have been rejected. Personally, I thought the grammatical errors in question were so obviously wrong that they didn't really need explanation, but that was my mistake. When I have time, I will resubmit them with a full and complete explanation, complete with sources from Dr. Grammaticians and whatnot. Here are some examples of what I tried to change, except using entirely made up stuff instead of the stuff I actually tried to change. I think I'm right (as always), but I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me if I'm actually wrong (but say it nicely!):
1: The words "mom" and "dad" should be capitalized when used as names, but left in lower case in other instances:
Julie: Ben, Mom said not to eat the cookies!
Julie: My boyfriend's dad tried to kill me with a shovel.
2: Words like "wanna" and "gonna" should be changed to "want to" and "going to". Yes, I know that when we speak it often sounds more like "wanna" than "want to", but spelling should never be based on pronunciation unless there is a very compelling reason. Writing "wanna" instead of "want to" is no different than writing "should of" instead of "should have" (and God help you if you don't know why "should of" is wrong!). I say "Warshington" when I speak, but I don't write it that way. In my mind, "wanna" and "gonna" are in the same category.
3: The first letter of a word after a comma should not be capitalized.
WRONG: Julie: Oh Ben, Are you eating those cookies?
RIGHT: Julie: Oh Ben, are you eating those cookies?
Very annoying, no?
4:
Your vs. You're
There vs. Their vs. They're
Hear vs. Here
Than vs. Then
To vs. Too vs. Two
By vs. Bye vs. Buy
You were supposed to have learned this stuff in sixth grade English class! This is just not rocket science, people! Learn how to use the freakin' English language!
Ok, I'm getting bored with this blog entry, so I'm going to wrap it up and maybe do more later. Or maybe not. Meh.
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Posted Sep 27, 2005 8:37 am PT
Your so right eatcacti their r so many errors hear then in other websites and i think its just two bad but anyway got to go buy buy
Bye the way a lot of peopl dont know that poor spelling effects there submissions
Seriously, I keep the wanna in a character's quotes when they are appropriate to that character. Inuyasha is always saying "ain't" so I transcribe his quotes in the same way with "wanna" and "gonna".
Bye the way a lot of peopl dont know that poor spelling effects there submissions
Seriously, I keep the wanna in a character's quotes when they are appropriate to that character. Inuyasha is always saying "ain't" so I transcribe his quotes in the same way with "wanna" and "gonna".
Posted Sep 27, 2005 9:13 am PT
hahahaha sesho! Love that last comment!
eatcacti: you should visit Lady_Ta'aluma's Blog where we've been having an on-going grammar discussion.
1. definitely. Some titles can be used as a name, and when used that way, should be capitalized. I want to be a doctor. She asked Dr. Jones when she was due.
2. I agree, but it could be used to show the extreme slanginess/casualness of the speaker. For example, in submitting stuff for That 70s Show, I'd put most of the characters saying "want to" or "going to" but Leo, the drug-addled hippy, I would quote as saying "wanna" or "gonna".
3. Very annoying. I've noticed that people have a nasty habit of putting a comma after any use of a person's name. So you get sentences like "Ben, went to the store." Wrong, wrong, wrong!
4. Agreed. Too many people don't know/don't care about the differences.
Mostly, I think it's "don't care". Just sad, really.
eatcacti: you should visit Lady_Ta'aluma's Blog where we've been having an on-going grammar discussion.
1. definitely. Some titles can be used as a name, and when used that way, should be capitalized. I want to be a doctor. She asked Dr. Jones when she was due.
2. I agree, but it could be used to show the extreme slanginess/casualness of the speaker. For example, in submitting stuff for That 70s Show, I'd put most of the characters saying "want to" or "going to" but Leo, the drug-addled hippy, I would quote as saying "wanna" or "gonna".
3. Very annoying. I've noticed that people have a nasty habit of putting a comma after any use of a person's name. So you get sentences like "Ben, went to the store." Wrong, wrong, wrong!
4. Agreed. Too many people don't know/don't care about the differences.
Mostly, I think it's "don't care". Just sad, really.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 9:30 am PT
Another grammar blog! Take a look at mine to see 20 "tips for using grammar good." The replies to the blog discuss both grammar rules and the nonsensical phrases that have crept into the English language.
edit: LOL, Stig! Great minds think alike!
edit: LOL, Stig! Great minds think alike!
Posted Sep 27, 2005 9:32 am PT
People in a public forum should at least have enough consideration for their fellow members to use the Check Spelling Button.
It's appalling to know that for some people, it's ok if they spell a word wrong as long as it will sound the way they intend it to.
It's appalling to know that for some people, it's ok if they spell a word wrong as long as it will sound the way they intend it to.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 10:41 am PT
witchinsider: I'm not the editor for any show, so sometimes it's hard for me to know what it's like coming from the other end. Thanks. In the future, I think I'll make myself extra supreme clear, just in case.
sesho2022: OH GOD IT BURNS TAKE IT AWAY TAKE IT AWAY
Stiggy: You're right, I agree that sometimes "wanna" and things like that are ok when they're intricate to the way the character talks, a la Willy in the Simpsons or something. I don't know, I guess it just really annoys me anyway.
Lady_Taaluma: I shall rush over to your blog right away!
Leinara: I agree. The "Check Spelling" button is right next to "Submit". It's just not that hard to find.
sesho2022: OH GOD IT BURNS TAKE IT AWAY TAKE IT AWAY
Stiggy: You're right, I agree that sometimes "wanna" and things like that are ok when they're intricate to the way the character talks, a la Willy in the Simpsons or something. I don't know, I guess it just really annoys me anyway.
Lady_Taaluma: I shall rush over to your blog right away!
Leinara: I agree. The "Check Spelling" button is right next to "Submit". It's just not that hard to find.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 11:08 am PT
I can't believe that I actually read your entire blog entry 
I usually don't read stuff that has more than 10 lines Ok, ok so I'm lazy. I admit it 
Seriously now I make some of the mistakes you just pointed out sometimes but English is not my native language. And English isn't the native language for many of thi website users. So I mean sometimes the mistakes are justified (in forums and blogs) However in the shows guides everything should be written in perfect English. I see it as a way of respecting the show and the other users of the website. People that come here to get information about their favorite show deserve the best treatment possible.
That's just the way I see it. Oh and I'm sorry if I gave any grammar mistake.
I usually don't read stuff that has more than 10 lines Ok, ok so I'm lazy. I admit it Seriously now I make some of the mistakes you just pointed out sometimes but English is not my native language. And English isn't the native language for many of thi website users. So I mean sometimes the mistakes are justified (in forums and blogs) However in the shows guides everything should be written in perfect English. I see it as a way of respecting the show and the other users of the website. People that come here to get information about their favorite show deserve the best treatment possible.
That's just the way I see it. Oh and I'm sorry if I gave any grammar mistake.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 11:15 am PT
Sasg, I don't really blame you for having bad English grammar, even though I've already told you that yours is better than most Americans on these forums (seriously!). I don't speak Portuguese at all (except "sapato", and you can't get very far with just that), so I really have no right to judge.
I know I shouldn't blame people who don't speak English as their first language, and I do try not to. But I still think that if you don't speak English too well and you are the editor for a show in English, you may have to rely on native English speakers to check the grammar. I don't mean any of that in a bad way, because I love that there are people from different cultures, languages, and countries on this site.
I know I shouldn't blame people who don't speak English as their first language, and I do try not to. But I still think that if you don't speak English too well and you are the editor for a show in English, you may have to rely on native English speakers to check the grammar. I don't mean any of that in a bad way, because I love that there are people from different cultures, languages, and countries on this site.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 11:25 am PT
I know that you don't mean to blame people who don't speak English. I'm just saying that people should try to avoid writing the shows guides with tons of mistakes. The editors of shows that don't speak perfect English should try to get help. I think that editing a show is a job with much responsibility. The cultural diversity is one of the things I love about this website I really wasn't trying to say that you were blaming anyone in specific or anything.
I really wasn't trying to say that you were blaming anyone in specific or anything.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 11:33 am PT
You're very welcome, eatcacti. Before I ever accessed my editor queue, I also thought that changes made by users would somehow be automatically underlined when they appeared in the submissions. But no, that would have been too convenient for all of us. 
By the way, I apologize for any previous, current or future grammar errors I may make because English isn't my native language either.
By the way, I apologize for any previous, current or future grammar errors I may make because English isn't my native language either.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 12:07 pm PT
Dear Eat,
RE I know I shouldn't blame people who don't speak English as their first language, and I do try not to. But I still think that if you don't speak English too well and you are the editor for a show in English, you may have to rely on native English speakers to check the grammar. I don't mean any of that in a bad way, because I love that there are people from different cultures, languages, and countries on this site.
I think you're being far too kind with the modern U.S. "education" system. Most of the guilty parties are not relatively new to the English language.
BTW, I must tell you one of my favorites. In Christian chat rooms, it is inevitable that one will see this exchange:
SNERT: Satin rules!! 666!
CHRISTIAN CHATTER: You need to except Jesus!
(Everyone knows that cotton rules!)
RE I know I shouldn't blame people who don't speak English as their first language, and I do try not to. But I still think that if you don't speak English too well and you are the editor for a show in English, you may have to rely on native English speakers to check the grammar. I don't mean any of that in a bad way, because I love that there are people from different cultures, languages, and countries on this site.
I think you're being far too kind with the modern U.S. "education" system. Most of the guilty parties are not relatively new to the English language.
BTW, I must tell you one of my favorites. In Christian chat rooms, it is inevitable that one will see this exchange:
SNERT: Satin rules!! 666!
CHRISTIAN CHATTER: You need to except Jesus!
(Everyone knows that cotton rules!)
Posted Sep 27, 2005 12:30 pm PT
Ok.. I may have come off a little too harsh. I don't really take grammar that seriously, I'm just annoyed by people who should know better but constantly make simple mistakes. That is all.. I promise I'm not trying to forcibly cleanse the world of bad grammar with my sharp grammar sword of death, or something like that.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 12:30 pm PT
KarenHilly: I agree. I think most of the people who write with the spelling skills of a third grader are actually native English speakers. I point you upwards to the examples of witchinsider and sasg, who are not native English speakers yet write very well. Sometimes people who have to put an effort into learning a language end up doing it better than people who have known it all their lives!
[I remember in high school someone wrote "I worship Satin" on someone's locker. I also prefer cotton.]
[I remember in high school someone wrote "I worship Satin" on someone's locker. I also prefer cotton.]
Posted Sep 27, 2005 12:34 pm PT
Lol, eatcacti--I can't stop laughing at your comment (OH GOD IT BURNS TAKE IT AWAY TAKE IT AWAY).
Karen, your examples are hilarious.
Karen, your examples are hilarious.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 1:06 pm PT
eatcacti,
I've got to ask the following question.
What if the use is deliberate?
I tend to use "wanna" and "gotta" in my blog in order to develop a certain tempo or rhythm. Since a large portion of comedy relies on pacing of the dialogue, it's almost essential to my style of blogging.
Or is the use of it so obtrusive that it disrupts the very flow I'm trying to achieve.
BTW
I do NOT use slang unless I'm trying to achieve a particular effect. (Aren't you glad I didn't say affect?)
I've got to ask the following question.
What if the use is deliberate?
I tend to use "wanna" and "gotta" in my blog in order to develop a certain tempo or rhythm. Since a large portion of comedy relies on pacing of the dialogue, it's almost essential to my style of blogging.
Or is the use of it so obtrusive that it disrupts the very flow I'm trying to achieve.
BTW
I do NOT use slang unless I'm trying to achieve a particular effect. (Aren't you glad I didn't say affect?)
Posted Sep 27, 2005 4:52 pm PT
hey cacti your mean bee nice 2 evry1 they is bad gramer your bad i think u need 2 chill.
Also, here's another rule that everyone slept through in 6th grade: The word "I" is ALWAYS capitalized. No exeptions.
Also, here's another rule that everyone slept through in 6th grade: The word "I" is ALWAYS capitalized. No exeptions.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 5:05 pm PT
Jrob: Ok! Use "wanna", I give up! In any case, blogs are one thing, and episode recaps are another.
jmarsh: i dont no what ur talking abut
jmarsh: i dont no what ur talking abut
Posted Sep 27, 2005 5:54 pm PT
0 what JM is sleighing is perficly cleer 2 mee
I agree that the native English speakers seem to have the worst grammar and spelling, not those living in other countries.
I agree that the native English speakers seem to have the worst grammar and spelling, not those living in other countries.
Posted Sep 27, 2005 7:09 pm PT
We write how we speak. People sound out words then write them, it is the way of things. One of my friends does not like to use capitals, anywhere! It is horrible, because I've had to help him with essays, and lets just say it was not pretty.
I'm not saying my grammar is at all perfect, but I have learned a lot from taking different languages. It has made me more aware about the way I write.
I'm not saying my grammar is at all perfect, but I have learned a lot from taking different languages. It has made me more aware about the way I write.
Posted Sep 28, 2005 5:09 pm PT
I guess I have a kind of photographic memory. I memorize how words look, so that I know how to spell well, and, also, I can pick up languages quickly. I don't think the present reading method in school is teaching kids to spell correctly, though. I wonder if it is more visual or less visual. Perhaps Stig knows.
Posted Sep 28, 2005 7:17 pm PT
Okay eatcacti, what happens if a quote must have the word "wanna" in it? Grammar wise, it should be "want to". In this case, "wanna" shouldn't be replaced with "want to", as long as the character says that.
Nice blog by the way. Thanks for informing people, who don't know proper English.
Also note, you misspelled grammar in your title. You have it as "grammer", as it should be "grammar". You should always use spell check.
Nice blog by the way. Thanks for informing people, who don't know proper English.
Also note, you misspelled grammar in your title. You have it as "grammer", as it should be "grammar". You should always use spell check.
Posted Sep 28, 2005 9:39 pm PT
Dark Eagle, LOL, the whole title is deliberately misspelled with incorrect grammar, or are you making your own joke? Pardon, Eatcacti, I've taken over your blog!
Posted Sep 28, 2005 11:29 pm PT
i wanna tel u 2 stpo makign these stupid posts their vrey offnsive u r b meen. u should of thot abut taht
Posted Sep 29, 2005 5:59 am PT
im gonna tehl on u
Posted Sep 29, 2005 7:22 am PT
I guess I can allow some wannas, since everyone seems to like them so much. *sigh*
Also, I realize I misspelled "grammar" in the title. That was the whole point.
Also, I realize I misspelled "grammar" in the title. That was the whole point.
Posted Sep 29, 2005 7:27 am PT
Cud evrybudy pleaze coment on my new bog?
Posted Sep 29, 2005 9:27 am PT
This is hilarious people. I do agree about grammar. It's frustrating for me to see the lack of it on the Internet in general.I also understand when English isn't a person's native language, but, as has been said, most of those people have much better grammar than native speakers.
I see your point about using wanna' and gonna' (they both have an apostrophe), but I use them in a direct quote if that's what was said.
The one that really bothers me is y'all. It's not ya'll! It's a contraction that people in the south use to indicate the two words, you and all. Please tell me why most people seem to think that the apostrophe used to indicate missing letters should separate the word that still contains ALL of it's letters?
Posted Sep 29, 2005 1:05 pm PT
You're confusing pronunciation of certain words with slang. As examples, "Wanna" and "Gonna" are widely accepted, as is "ain't" come to think of it. "Warshington" would be spelt correctly as it refers to your dialect. However, if you're name is J. B. Priestly then you account for every twang, nasal inclination, mutter and lock-jaw utterance imaginable.
Incidentally, your blog reads, "...that they didn't need explanation, but was my mistake". It should really read one of two variables; "...that they didn't need an explanation, but was my mistake", or "...that they didn't need explaining, but was my mistake". I don't recognise example #3, as for #4 - I agree.
Incidentally, your blog reads, "...that they didn't need explanation, but was my mistake". It should really read one of two variables; "...that they didn't need an explanation, but was my mistake", or "...that they didn't need explaining, but was my mistake". I don't recognise example #3, as for #4 - I agree.
Posted Sep 29, 2005 6:40 pm PT
eatcacti, I think almost everyone knows how to spell the words right and use the proper grammar, but since a tv message board is not important most people don't really care about being right all the time.
Posted Sep 29, 2005 7:46 pm PT
dbzexpert: This is true. And I'm not bothered too much (only a little) by improper grammar and spelling on the forums. But I think in episode recaps, summaries, quotes, allusions, and things like that, grammar and spelling are important.
Posted Sep 29, 2005 7:50 pm PT
wut botherz me is post that look lik this it's extremly anoying not to mension hard to reed theirs reely no excoose for posts lik this
What do you define as "a little" improper grammar and spelling? Usually, most people who make "a few" mistakes fill their entire post with it. I'm not talking about casual language words, starting a sentence with "and," or ending a sentence with "with." All of the "mistakes" you mentioned in your blog should not be as rampant as they are.
People don't care. This is true. However, it doesn't make it right.
What do you define as "a little" improper grammar and spelling? Usually, most people who make "a few" mistakes fill their entire post with it. I'm not talking about casual language words, starting a sentence with "and," or ending a sentence with "with." All of the "mistakes" you mentioned in your blog should not be as rampant as they are.
People don't care. This is true. However, it doesn't make it right.
Posted Sep 29, 2005 8:03 pm PT
I am loving this blog! I thought this old English major was the only one who couldn't read the forums without wincing!
Wanna and gonna are fine in dialogue and, perhaps, in informal writing, but there's a difference between the informal writing of a forum, email or IM and the formal writing necessary in a review or synopsis.
Currently humming... I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Wanna and gonna are fine in dialogue and, perhaps, in informal writing, but there's a difference between the informal writing of a forum, email or IM and the formal writing necessary in a review or synopsis.
Currently humming... I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Posted Sep 29, 2005 8:30 pm PT
And I don't mean to pick on dyslexic people either. They really can't help it. I know there's at least one person here that is dyslexic, but the others have no excuse. Besides, I suffer from "dyslexia of the typewriter" myself, since getting carpal tunnel.
Posted Sep 29, 2005 9:29 pm PT
The only thing that really pisses me off is the your/you're and their/there/they're. Damn, my spelling isnt perfect but DAMN THATS JUST HORRIBLE.
If you cant tell the difference between the words i said above you should go back to school. (sorry about the "'" but sometimes i cant be arsed)
Also, some of you are born and raised on the US, yet your spelling is worse than a mexican immigrant
If you cant tell the difference between the words i said above you should go back to school. (sorry about the "'" but sometimes i cant be arsed)
Also, some of you are born and raised on the US, yet your spelling is worse than a mexican immigrant
Posted Sep 29, 2005 9:59 pm PT
I doubt people will argue that little effort should be made when subimitting to shows. Unfortunately, forums are another matter. Folks will probably realise the importance of writing properly when their critics beginning sniping or decide, simply, to ignore them. It pays to be accurate. It helps the thought process manifest itself correctly onto paper/screen.
Re: Contributing. Apart from running the risk of rejection/multiple submissions, it's likely that any poor effort will be corrected by another member. Depending on how you look at it. That's either more work for the rest of us or more opportunity to receive points.
Mr. Mexico, I don't think there's any need to generalise like that. You'll find people of a certain description right across the world regardless of national borders.
Re: Contributing. Apart from running the risk of rejection/multiple submissions, it's likely that any poor effort will be corrected by another member. Depending on how you look at it. That's either more work for the rest of us or more opportunity to receive points.
Mr. Mexico, I don't think there's any need to generalise like that. You'll find people of a certain description right across the world regardless of national borders.
Posted Sep 30, 2005 3:16 am PT
The internet has ruined the English language (and many others), the reason being people writting in weird abbreviation and leet speak language.
This is coming out of guy who uses this in a daily bases, what do I know?
This is coming out of guy who uses this in a daily bases, what do I know?
Posted Sep 30, 2005 7:14 pm PT
Great post. It's even sadder in my opinion, because Google's toolbar now comes with a spell check button, so it's always there.
When I see it in the boards I just have to roll my eyes, otherwise I'll start correcting.
When I see it in the boards I just have to roll my eyes, otherwise I'll start correcting.
Posted Oct 1, 2005 6:51 pm PT
You're gonna hate me for this ec, but whenever a person talks in a certain dialect, like if he/she says "gonna," that's what I type when I submit a quote.
Posted Oct 1, 2005 11:34 pm PT
Atu, EC has already caved on the "gonna/wanna" issue. I guess we convinced her. Sorry for answering this, but Eastcacti loves to take vacations away from her blog.
Posted Oct 2, 2005 5:06 am PT
That's an awesome idea..
and I also just wanted to say that I love your banner.
and I also just wanted to say that I love your banner.
Posted Oct 7, 2005 7:07 pm PT
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