Pointing out grammatical errors as an insult

[JTIZZLEVILLE]

I remember a few years back, I was on a writing forum and I got into a huge argument with another poster. He was slamming a new writer, claiming that the way he wrote was the correct way to write. I took to the new writer's defense, stating that there are many different ways to write and not just one "right" way.

After sending several posts back in forth, throwing out our different points he finally threw out his winning statement.

"Oh yeah. Well, you put 'there' instead of 'their.'"

With a smile, I replied: "If spelling is your only argument against me, then I've already won."

He left the thread and never made another statement to me again.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"That's enough slabba jabba!"



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

*cues eerie music*

Spooky...

 

[Ben Urich]

How can I explain this?

Fewer refers to tangible things, and less refers to non-tangible ones.

Example: There's a radio station here that touts itself as "more music, less talk, and fewer commercials." That's correct because "talk" can't be explicitly defined, whereas "commercials" can. Another way to think of it is that you have less money, but fewer dollars.

So when the checkout says "10 items or less," it should say "10 items or fewer."

 

[Sandman138]

Every time I do that I end up making a spelling error.

 

[Sandman138]

How can I explain this?

Fewer refers to tangible things, and less refers to non-tangible ones.

Example: There's a radio station here that touts itself as "more music, less talk, and fewer commercials." That's correct because "talk" can't be explicitly defined, whereas "commercials" can. Another way to think of it is that you have less money, but fewer dollars.

So when the checkout says "10 items or less," it should say "10 items or fewer."

It's not tangible things, it's countable things. Water is tangible, but it's not countable unless you measure it in units. You can't have fewer water than the guy across the street.

 

[shigsy2003]

If an arguement is taking place then posters tend to point out grammar errors as a last resort if they are losing said arguement.

Unless the post is unreadable I will just ignore the errors and respond to the statement or question.

 

[Fried Gold]

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

Why are you assuming them to be male?

 

[Fried Gold]

If an arguement is taking place then posters tend to point out grammar errors as a last resort if they are losing said arguement.

AWOO-GA!

 

[Asteroid-Man]

I think trying to prove a point by literacy, spelling or grammar is the biggest load of bull**** I have EVER heard!

Honestly, you would have to be pretty desperate for an insult to use someones spelling as an insult. And the claim that "with bad grammar comes stupid people" is completely ridiculous!

Maybe English isn't their primary language; how ever, for all we know, they could have a Ph D. in whatever their arguing topic is. And you don't need to be literate to have a good opinion or to be smart.

A lot of people in the world that are illiterate are some of the smartest people on the planet! That's like the claim that autistic people are morons. Some of the greatest Mathematicians were autistic.

Like the saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover" you should never judge someone by their spelling.

A-Man

 

[04nbod]

I hardly ever notice my punctuation or capitalistion in forums. Doesn't mean I can't do it. Also I think its polite to give it a minute or two for the person to edit.

 

[kytrigger]

I generally only point it out when they say something like "your ******ed" where they question my intelligence but can't even use "you're" correctly.

 

[Whirlysplat]

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?

wat's dat den?

 

[Whirlysplat]

I generally only point it out when they say something like "your ******ed" where they question my intelligence but can't even use "you're" correctly.

your and you're damn you are a Nazi.

 

[kytrigger]

your and you're damn you are a Nazi.

your a nazi! t:

Honestly, that's just one of those pet peeves of mine. It just bugs me when people use them incorrectly but I usually never say anything; however, when they use them incorrectly AND tell someone they're an idiot then I actually laugh at them.

 

[Carcharodon]

 

[Ben Urich]

It's not tangible things, it's countable things. Water is tangible, but it's not countable unless you measure it in units. You can't have fewer water than the guy across the street.

Yeah. I really didn't know how to say that. Thanks.

 

[Ash J. Williams]

If somebody has a double in their post -- like "more better" -- I am usually the one to point it out. It's a pet peeve of mine to see people use double negatives on message boards.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Did anyone even take the time to read my post?

 

[Carcharodon]

Did anyone even take the time to read my post?

This one? Yes.

 

[Ben Urich]

Honestly, you would have to be pretty desperate for an insult to use someones spelling as an insult. And the claim that "with bad grammar comes stupid people" is completely ridiculous!

You really don't think there is a correlation between the ability to communicate effectively and overall intelligence? You go so far as to call that line of thinking ridiculous?

Should have paid more attention in school, guy.

Maybe English isn't their primary language; how ever, for all we know, they could have a P.H.D. in whatever their arguing topic is. And you don't need to be literate to have a good opinion or to be smart.

Because getting a Ph. D doesn't require reading or writing skills.

A lot of people in the world that are illiterate are some of the smartest people on the planet! That's like the claim that autistic people are morons. Some of the greatest Mathematicians were autistic.

And a lot of them can't even tie their shoes. You are talking about the exceptions, not the rules.

Like the saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover" you should never judge someone by their spelling.

A-Man

I'll take that into consideration.

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

et tis toadly en insalt special llly wen sumwon sayz et to me bcuze I no i cun SPELL ND I hve onedurfull grmcrackers.....I men gramma

 

[Ash J. Williams]

et tis toadly en insalt special llly wen sumwon sayz et to me bcuze I no i cun SPELL ND I hve onedurfull grmcrackers.....I men gramma

That didn't make much sense.

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

That didn't make much sense.

u takiiing two me. O na yu titnt.

 

[Ash J. Williams]

u takiiing two me. O na yu titnt.

Whatever...

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

Whatever...

yeee RUn(I cn spill dat)