Salute to The Grammar Nazis
Sometimes when reading within WA and WA members' sites I can see that a lot of Native English speakers' English is actually rather poor. Common mistakes I see are listed below.
to (when the word should be too)
there (when the word should be their)
Here's a couple of examples of the correct way to write those words and what they mean.
I like pizza and I like cheeseburgers too. NOT: I like pizza and I like cheeseburgers to
There are a lot of people in town today. NOT: Their are a lot of people in town today.
When you write your articles on your websites, and you write incorrectly like this it just makes your readers click away and go find something else that is correct.
Call me a grammar nazi if you like, but it's for your own good. These are two (not too) of the most common mistakes I see. When I do see them, I just think, "nah, ain't reading any more...I click away.
Is that what you want your website visitor to do?
There are a lot of non native English speakers that can write better than the native speakers...go figure!
Is it the English language teacher in me? Nope...I was like this before I ever became an English language teacher.
I call it CHAV speak. I don't listen to chavs.
Another one I see often is "it's" and "its" being mixed up.
It's is short form of IT IS or IT HAS.
example: The BBC has its own agenda. NOT: The BBC has it's own agenda.
example two: It's a lovely day to be a grammar nazi, isn't it?
NOT: Its a lovely day to be a grammar nazi, isn't it?
Oh, I almost forgot another REALLY common one that REALLY irks me.
Your and You're
Your Welcome? What? Don't you mean YOU ARE WELCOME (You're welcome)???
Thanks for reading my rant! It's for your own benefit. I'm trying to keep your readers on your site for longer.
Correct a wise man and he'll thank you for it. Correct a fool and he'll hate you!
Jimbo
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LOL. I have a bit of Grammar Nazi in me even though English is not my native language. But I have made mistakes, too.
Confident enough to correct others but do not have it when it comes to my own writings.
It is not always easy to see your own errors. If possible, have someone else look at your post before it is published. Everyone makes mistakes. My husband, who was a journalist makes many typos and asks me to proofread his blogs for him. I think, this way, if he makes a mistake, he can say it is my fault. LOL
Its grate that your willing too share you're grammatical expertise.
Eye four won hate too loose visitor's do too pour spelling and grammar.
Thank ewe vary much fore taking the thyme to Cher that helpful rant.
:)
Butt seriously, little reminders like this never hurt.
Best wishes.
That's so true Jimbo. Grammar seems to be a huge issue in the U.S.
I beleive texting is at the core. Just a wild guess.
Great post.
Yes you are right, texting brought about the advent of shortening text messages to fit into what is it, 160 or so characters? I often use u instead of you, doesn't hurt unless you're writing on your website.
You have to think of text speak as another language. It is fine to use when texting but not in professional writing.
Unfortunately, I think those of us who already are Grammar Nazis will be the ones who take the time to read this - because we're (we are, not were) the ones who care the most!
But everyone else should take more care with their writing, because you are correct: mistakes like the ones mentioned here do turn readers away, and it damages authority in the long run.
Great article. I also see people confuse were and where. Where are you going? Were you at the meeting?
Where were you?
I have a friend who always says "Where was you?" and you know what? He's an English teacher! Go figure. I've corrected him but he doesn't like me when I do. Says I am wrong!
If you add "I seen" to the list, welcome to the Grammar Nazi club. I wrote a blog AND training about this very same subject. I'm just glad that it bugs someone else. LOL.
Thing is they're (not there) losing visitors who just think "This person is a bit of an idiot so why listen to him/her?"
There's another one...Lose and Loose!
Sometimes I see "loosing my car keys" or...
My shoes are very lose.
lol
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Hi Jimbo,
I love this!! I can't stand incorrect grammar and spelling...ugh!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees the mistakes and shudders! I'm not an English teacher, just someone who likes to see words used correctly. Keep up the good work. Its been nice talking too you...lol!! I couldn't resist!! Have a good evening.
ooooh, u little leg puller!
Hi Jimbo,
Lol..I'm glad you liked it!!