What Bad Use Of Grammar Annoys You?

[ericaboo]

I used to get horrible marks on grammar, but when I was teaching English as a second language, I got training from the British Council.

They were appalled that I was teaching English in "American," but I think they were low on possible teachers out in the "wilds" of E. Europe.

To this day I have the strangest dialect of Texas/California/British English that makes people laugh. It comes through much more in my verbal language than written...

 

[CraftyCath]

Learning the 3 r's through fear and intimidation and kids being given up on and made fun of and made to feel stupid for just not getting it.

It is sad how many of us have suffered at the hands of teachers. I'm so glad my boys never had to suffer like I did.

I went to a Catholic school and we had penguins (nuns) watching our every move!! My teacher used to hit me across the knuckles with the thin edge of a wooden rule, every day, I was 7 years old. Those teachers made me feel stupid and unworthy but I have worked hard to prove to myself that I'm not. I'm intelligent and creative and very worthy.:D

I was always last to be picked for sport and I was terrified of math. The funny thing is that my T was a math teacher and started teaching at my high school in the September after I left in the June! I don't think he thought much of it as he left to become a therapist! He did confirm that Math was taught as a fear based subject in our school and he could remember all the scary teachers and the terrifying head master. He has been the perfect person to take me through the trauma of my schooling.

And yet I love reading and writing (I'm still rubbish at math). My English teacher told my parents that I'd never pass the English GCE and refused to put me in for it. (Great for your already flagging confidence). My Mum told her that any girl should be able to pass the exam and paid for me to do it. I passed and it must have really p*&^%d off my teacher! I got an achievement award for my contribution to Creative Writing at my local college so I have proved her wrong on all counts!

I still have problems but so what! I give it a go and I try my best and that is all anyone can ask.:tup:

I love writing!

 

[angel2write]

I think...like...my least favorite thing...would be when people attach everything with ellipses....And sometimes they even start new sentences....with a capital letter....but don't put a period in front of it... I think that's really weird...It's hard to read, too... because everything they're saying....sticks together in one big block... like stream-of-conciousness... without any pauses...for other people to talk... or commas...People don't use enough commas...It's sad...What's wrong with commas? ... ... ...

I 'also' don't like it when *people* use punctuation <marks!> for emphasis where they **really** don't belong!!!

 

[HëllaBubz]

ok, reading that hurt my head :confused:

 

[Barberian]

I use "" too much and I know it, but can't stop. I also use a few too many elipses. I see an elipse as a longer pause than a comma and use it for dramatic effect. I have run-on sentences that I have to split up, sometimes up to three sentences when I catch them. I used to be an excelent speller, but I make many more errors than I used to and don't catch them. Flip-flopping between past and present tense. That's pretty much it that bugs me, my own writing. I try to write by the established rules of the English (American English) language, but it has never been a strong point for me. I have to "wing" it (see, there I did it again).

As for other peoples writing I'm very tolerant and understanding. My wife is dyslexic. I have worked with people from every walk of life over the years. I understand people have different abilities, education, and desires when they write. Not everyone cares to write in formaly structured, disciplined style. Not eveyone CAN write in a formaly structured, disciplined style.

I try to focus on what they are trying to say, not the rules they broke as they wrote out their message.

Peace, love and understanding... (it's what the world needs more of)

 

[heidi]

I don't like my own grammar. Does that count?

I feel the same way. While I admire good grammer, I don't have it. And I feel uncomfortable around self proclaimed grammar snobs. Sorry I skipped school half my life and maybe am just not that smart to begin with.

If any grammar snob wants to come over and instruct me and change the world one imbecile at a time.. that would be great.

 

[KP the nut]

Sorry I skipped school half my life and maybe am just not that smart to begin with.

Same here, I was in and out of hospital during infant and junior school ( ages 4 - 12). Although I was in remedial reading, I developed a love of books. I don't know where that came from as I never saw my Mum read anything more than the TV guide. I'm sure those books taught me grammar and spelling, even though I am no where near perfect.

And I feel uncomfortable around self proclaimed grammar snobs.

This thread is not about making you uncomfortable, nor is anyone here proclaiming to be grammar snobs. It is a light hearted look at what annoys us. I started the thread and I'm actually quite surprised at the number of responses.

 

[amethist]

No one has to be perfect heidi, and we dont ask you to be. Just the basics is all we ask for. :tup:

 

[ProudWife99]

I think...like...my least favorite thing...would be when people attach everything with ellipses....

I am so guilty of this! Working on it NOW! :oops:

 

[heidi]

I do this....all the time. I guess it would annoy me too. And I refuse to put a comma before too. What is that even all about?

Perhaps somebody on this board can teach a basic grammar course.

 

[CraftyCath]

I am guilty of the overuse of exclamation marks!!!! I use them all the time! Sometimes I use exclamation marks and question marks together, what do you think of that!?!:rolleyes:

I still use the old semi-colon that has fallen out of fashion recently, when I need to take a longer pause in the sentence; sometimes a comma just isn't enough!:D

Oh, and I'm fed up of my Caps Lock key not working when I want to use just one capital letter. I'm using a wireless keyboard and sometimes, even when I'm close up, the dratted thing just refuses to work!:tdown:

 

[emmacub]

Hey, I'm a freelance editor & I overuse them all the time!!!!