Spell check Rant

[hipoptical]

Am I the only one bothered by the increasing lack of spelling skills in this country? How about the poor grammar? Just wondering if I'm alone in this. What makes it so incredibly frustrating is that we do so many things on computers, yet people still cannot spell. Most programs have "spell check", and if they don't auto-correct, they at least point out your errors.
Please, please, at least try to use something close to correct spelling and grammar. I'm making this plea here, because we are supposed to be a profession, yet the problem is just as widespread here as anywhere. Newspapers and blogs have let me down to the point that I have a hard time reading any of them anymore. So, here's just a few pointers for you:
1. Stop using the apostrophe when referring to a plurality of something. (It's "Free puppies", NOT "Free puppy's or "Free puppie's)
2. To, too, and two are three different words, not three ways to spell the same word.
3. When your computer underlines a word in red, you most likely spelled it wrong. Correct it before hitting save or send.
4. Don't use a word unless you know the meaning of it, and it fits what you are trying to say.
5. Your, you're are different words also. (Your puppies are free? is correct. You're going to give me a free puppy? is also correct.) Switching the two is not an option, so stop it.

If we win this fight, I'll give you a free puppy.

[Spexvet]

You're mined iz da bessed!

[optical24/7]

If you me win this fight, I'll give you a free puppy.

Huh?

[hipoptical]

Huh?

Yeah-someone else pointed that out, too. I'm gonna fix it...
I read that twice before and once after I posted it, and still missed it.
(Note to self: slow down and type slower.)

[k12311997]

What breed of puppy are you offering?

[Spexvet]

...
(Note to self: slow down and type slower.)

*cough* more slowly. :p

[hipoptical]

*cough* more slowly. :p

lol!!

[rbaker]

I hope that this doesn't offend anyone but the majority of public high school graduates under forty are dumber than a box of rocks. The tragedy is that they don't realize it. Reading and writing and arithmetic have been replaced by cultural studies and putting condoms on cucumbers.

[hipoptical]

What breed of puppy are you offering?

I have three to choose from, but I should clarify some things.

1. They're not exactly "puppies" anymore. Two are 2 years old, one is 1 year old.
2. They are all Catahoulas.
3. The younger one is deaf in one ear, and can only see out of the opposite eye. (But she gets around just fine, though she runs a bit sideways.)
4. I really will give you one if you really like dogs.
5. I should have calmed down a bit before going off on this rant in so much detail. (There's nothing quiet like seeing yuor own fawlts while triing to point out someone else's mistake's...);)

[Jacqui]

I am probably one of the worst offenders, however I do try hard to do things right.

[For-Life]

I got really annoyed at my students over this. You do not know how many emails I received where I had probably and schedule spelled "prolly" and "schedual."

In their essays, I also had a lot of people referring to companies in the plural. The general public may not know or care that you should not refer to Essilor as a "they" but instead an "it," but second year students and future business professionals should.

To, Too, and Two is of course a problem, but do not forget "it's" and "its." "It's" means "it is." "Its" refers to something. Then there is "their," "there," and "they're."


But can we blame them? They do not teach anything in the schools anymore. It took me until Uni to get a grammar class, and we had to take five English classes during high school.

[bob_f_aboc]

I have three to choose from, but I should clarify some things.

1. They're not exactly "puppies" anymore. Two are 2 years old, one is 1 year old.
2. They are all Catahoulas.
3. The younger one is deaf in one ear, and can only see out of the opposite eye. (But she gets around just fine, though she runs a bit sideways.)
4. I really will give you one if you really like dogs.
5. I should have calmed down a bit before going off on this rant in so much detail. (There's nothing quiet like seeing yuor own fawlts while triing to point out someone else's mistake's...);)

*cough*

No results found for fawlt:
Did you mean fault (in dictionary)

[obxeyeguy]

(There's nothing quiet like seeing yuor own fawlts while triing to point out someone else's mistake's...)

Look carefully Bob, the whole sentence was a ;)!

[Leo Hadley Jr]

I am a former, Sixth Grade School Spelling Bee Champion!!!!!
I went to the city finals and came in sixth place. I still remember the word that stumped me. It was Oceanic. Pronounced "Oseeanik" I cant believe I butchered the spelling on that easy word.

Anyway, spelling errors stand out to me like they are highlighted. Just last night there was a huge error on the news ticker at the bottom of the screen. I should have been a proof reader. :D

[NAH]

I used to love editing my friends' essays back in the day. Might I recommend reading "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" by Lynn Truss? It's an amazingly humorous book that focuses just on this issue.

[bob_f_aboc]

Look carefully Bob, the whole sentence was a ;)!

Please direct your attention to my thread in the Pro Forum.

It tells you exactly what kind of day I've been having.

[Wes]

Sounds like the description of a hungry, gun-toting, homicidal Panda that refuses to stick around for the cops.

Leo, spelling errors drive me nuts. The only time my grammar is poor, is when I'm on my mobile trying to respond. That thing doesn't put down what I tell it to, misses double letter words (bookkeeper looks like bokeper) and is a nuisance in general. I feel your pain.
Wes

[Fezz]

I hate showoffs!

Speilinng aerrours RUOLE!

[obxeyeguy]

Sounds like the description of a hungry, gun-toting, homicidal Panda

Sounds kinda like you and me Fezz!



Except for the homicidal part!

[Wes]

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Sounds kinda like you and me Fezz!



Except for the homicidal part!

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

[Uncle Fester]

How does one get dispensation from the apostrophe rule?:o

I think your required proper grammar intimidates those who would otherwise participate on Optiboard.

Liten up and let fonetic spelling rule imo!

Should we be indenting the paragraphs?

[Spexvet]

I hope that this doesn't offend anyone but the majority of public high school graduates under forty are dumber than a box of rocks. The tragedy is that they don't realize it. ...

Of course they don't - they're dumber than a box of rocks! :p

[bob_f_aboc]

I happen to consider myself at least as smart as the average box of rocks.


My next goal is to be as smart as a bag of hammers.:hammer:

[GAgal]

I happen to consider myself at least as smart as the average box of rocks.


My next goal is to be as smart as a bag of hammers.:hammer:

R u sure u kin? Thys un hear es a purty smart un. it must b kolage edjumikated

[k12311997]

R u sure u kin? Thys un hear es a purty smart un. it must b kolage edjumikated

just what every alcoholic carpenter needs.

as an aside I blame my general inability to spell on phonics. I also think we're not typing a paper on physics we're typing into the webosphere many times while at work speed counts over accuracy.