Spell Checker Only Works If You Use It

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That should be obvious, right?

So why isn't it?

I so often see Starter members in Live Chat asking for help with writing content, but their message is full of spelling mistakes.

And I'm not talking about people with English as a second language. They deserve our sympathy and admiration.

No, these are clearly native English speakers.

Sure, I understand that several generations of schooling that placed no value on spelling, grammar and punctuation has left huge numbers of people without basic spelling skills.

But that's why just about everywhere you can enter text, including Live Chat, has a spell checker that red underlines miss-spelled words.

So do they not notice or do they just not care?

I really feel like responding by telling them they are never going to make it if they apply the same quality control to their content as they did to their message.

Especially if their message also includes the often repeated theme of "I've been here two days and haven't made any money. This must be just another scam."

Of course, I don't respond like that. Mostly I don't respond at all and leave it to others who are nicer than I am.

There's every chance that if I did respond, I'd end up with a write ban, as it would be seen as discouraging starters, rather than setting them on the right track.

I'd be interested in what others think.

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Recent Comments

36

English is my second language and I pay particular attention to spelling my words right, as I was from the old school!
However, there should really be no excuse for posting erroneously spelled words as we have all the tools here in Wealthy Affiliate!

Keep your cool Phil! 😎

Cheers,
Maria 🌹

Thanks, Maria. If everyone had your attitude, there'd be no issues.

Absolutely Phil! We are all humans (apart from the few bots that run wild here of course) !!

And will always make mistakes...

But, glaringly obvious ones, that we are actually told about, there is no excuse in my book...

Take things easy buddy, the last thing I would wish to hear about is you getting a write ban!

Just enjoy yourself as always my friend!

Yes, I might have to keep some of my opinions to myself (not easy for me lol).

Thanks, Nick.

I recommend doing just that my friend, no matter how hard it may seem at times!

I agree, but I also think that social media platforms that demand fast response have taught folks not to spell correctly or use proper punctuation. Us older people raise our eyebrows when we see a spelling mistake in some form of communication. Many mediums today almost demand ignoring proper spelling and grammar. OMG! IRDC. LMAO.
Jim

All of that's true, but I still don't understand someone seeing a word they've just typed underlined in red and not fixing it. Do they not see the underline, do they not know what it means or do they know but don't care? It's a mystery to me.

You have said it all. I sometimes have to mark some exam papers and I am appalled at the spelling, grammar, and punctuation. I realized that it's down to the internet era where everybody is in a fast lane that doesn't require them anymore to check their work.

Plus multiple generations of teachers whose curriculum deemed it unimportant until the actual knowledge of how the language was structured disappeared.

I couldn't agree with you more!

I've privately encouraged many members to take advantage of the free Grammarly offering after reading their posts on WA. Consumers pivot away from poorly written content. That's another reason why I don't like using one of the dictation systems to create content - few people naturally speak in grammatically correct sentences!

You're right, Jeannine and I'm sure you've helped many with your suggestion.

All of the reasons you mentioned, Phil. Plus laziness and their being so used to texting, I think. I use Grammarly myself as I know my English skills are not what they should be. I am very satisfied with it. I suggest it to people who decide to follow me if it is obvious they need help there or if they mention having a problem with it.

Excellent thoughts, JD.

Thanks, Phil.

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