Pointing out grammatical errors as an insult

[Rorschach II]

I've never done it, but when I see someone else do it in an argument, I usually think to myself "That guy lossed, so now he's trying to make the other one look like an idiot because of his spelling". That's unless the guy's grammar is absolutely horrific. In that case I usually think "Thank God someone said it!"

 

[Jerry!]

No....it can't be...

 

[Sam Fisher]

Eh, I only do it if there entire post is filled with them, and if somebody hasn't beaten me to it yet.

Normally I think it's weak to use in an argument and is a sign that you're too lame to come back with anything substantial.

Grammar mistake! Grammar mistake!

{j/k}

 

[Dew k. Mosi]

I usually only do it if the person has made a point of mocking someone else's and made a stupid mistake himself. Then, I larf and larf

 

[redmarvel]

I do, whether or not I agree with the person (though I'm trying hard not to on the net). Y'see my parents were both from Germany and emigrated to Canada when they were in their thirties. So, whenever my mom had to send a note to my school she would have me proof read it. Once I started working, my employers would often have me proof read their documents before sending them out. Even now, one of the folks I work with emigrated to Canada as an adult and wants me to proof her e-mails... So it's a habit, I proof other peoples writing (and often get one of my co-workers to proof mine, not for language but for content/politeness - removing the sarcasm).

 

[Catman]

When having a debate online, do you go the route of pointing out when someone has typos or grammar issues when they're on the opposite end of the table?

It just shows how desperate someone is to win a debate.

I've always said that the worse the grammar, the more stupid their opinion probably is

That's unfair of you, Terry. Some people weren't born in an English speaking country. Their grammar hasn't been mastered as a result. Secondly, why is poor grammar a sign of ignorance? Everyone has a weak area. I'm sure there's a subject you're bad on, but is that enough reason for me to call you a moron?

 

[Fried Gold]

When having a debate online, do you go the route of pointing out when someone has typos or grammar issues when they're on the opposite end of the table? Granted, we all do it, but I notice if someone misspells something or their grammar isn't the best it's immediately attacked. I've always said that the worse the grammar, the more stupid their opinion probably is, but is it just an easy weak spot?

It depends. I wouldn't usually do it if the poster is obviously using English as a second language, but for elementary mistakes such as 'Rouge' (as Rogue), 'rediculous', 'definately/definatly/definantly', 'alot' etc, I don't think there's anything wrong in pointing out the errors. They only know one language, so the least they can do is learn how to use it properly.

 

[Sloth7d]

As long as I can understand what they're saying, I don't care.

 

[Outsiderzedge]

Nah, cause whether or not they are using proper grammar usually has nothing to do with most debates.

As for using it as a insult, that's just childish and pathetic...

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Grammar mistake! Grammar mistake!

{j/k}

Ha...ha...ha...very funny.




Now I've got to go take some shots of Knob Creek to cope. I hope you're happy.

 

[jaguarr]

I usually only do it to people who are inconsolably smug and high on themselves. Particularly if they're mocking someone for being "stupid" while raping literacy themselves. Some times arrogance just needs a good hosing down.

jag

 

[spideyboy_1111]

all i can say is, resorting to pointing out someones errors in speech in an argument, usually means your loosing the argument.

 

[jaguarr]

all i can say is, resorting to pointing out someones errors in speech in an argument, usually means your loosing the argument.

Or that the person you are arguing with is so unintelligible that you have no damn idea what they're trying to say.

jag

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

There's nothing desperate or prickish about it.

When people correct me, I thank them, because I'll remember the correction and won't sound so ignorant in the future, and I don't like sounding ignorant.

The really lame thing is when people are so prideful and defensive that they get upset or roll their eyes when you correct them.
What's wrong with learning...learning to do things the right way?



If Jal is arguing that the Earth is flat, and says "Everywon nose the Urth is FLAT!"

And I say, "First of all...God damn it!

That's 'EveryONE KNOWS the EArth is flat."
Jesus. "

It doesn't mean that I'm losing the argument in maintaining that the Earth is in fact Spheroid.

 

[jaguarr]

Your spelingz teh wrongz! LOLZ!

jag

 

[Darthphere]

There's nothing desperate or prickish about it.

When people correct me, I thank them, because I'll remember the correction and won't sound so ignorant in the future, and I don't like sounding ignorant.

The really lame thing is when people are so prideful and defensive that they get upset or roll their eyes when you correct them.
What's wrong with learning...learning to do things the right way?



If Jal is arguing that the Earth is flat, and says "Everywon nose the Urth is FLAT!"

And I say, "First of all...God damn it!

That's 'EveryONE KNOWS the EArth is flat."
Jesus. "

It doesn't mean that I'm losing the argument in maintaining that the Earth is in fact Spheroid.

True, but when is a grammatical error a grammatical error or a typo?

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

nice cleavage ^^

 

[November Rain]

there are more important things to usually delve on...

if a discussion has been going on about something for more than two pages, then perhaps it could be thrown in to add some fun to it.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

Or that the person you are arguing with is so unintelligible that you have no damn idea what they're trying to say.

jag

it does depend on the situation... but in most cases it usually is because the person has run out of things to say, and resorts to that.

your right about the prick part though, nothing is better than a grammar picker being called out upon himself.

to me this board is a simple message board... like talking on the phone to a friend. were not publishing work, and it's in our leisure time, and for fun. Who cares if we misspell a word, or use the wrong punctuation, in my book if you can read and understand it, yet are just being nit picky... your being a prick

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Your spelingz teh wrongz! LOLZ!

jag

...For some reason that pic made me think of Star Wars and that Jabba really needs a tan.

 

[jaguarr]

...For some reason that pic made me think of Star Wars and that Jabba really needs a tan.

It's Jabba's albino brother, Slabba.

jag

 

[Darthphere]

It's Jabba's albino brother, Slabba.

jag

Slabba Jabba the Hutt.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

True, but when is a grammatical error a grammatical error or a typo?

Spelling is where typos may arise, not usually in grammar.

Grammar is about the classes of words, their function in a sentence, syntax, inflection....not how they are spelled.

In the sentence, "Yoo are an idiot.", the grammar is perfect, it's the spelling that's a possible typo, or the intentional spelling of an idiot who thinks the word "You" is really spelled "YoO".

But if you say "I is going to Scarborough Fair!"
"I" is correctly spelled, as is "is", but the grammar is all wrong, and it wasn't because of a typo because I highly doubt they accidentally hit the 'i' and the 's' keys but really meant to hit the 'a' and the 'm'.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Slabba Jabba the Hutt.

Slabba Jabba? Sounds like that foo's tryin' ta worm his way in ta Mr. T's racket!

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Slabba Jabba the Hutt.

"That's enough slabba jabba!"



EDIT: whoa, me an' Johnny Blaze're on the same wavelength there.