Spelling Errors: Stupid? Lazy? Or A-OK?

[Alex]

Originally Posted by JWBear

Every writing class I have ever taken taught that it is proper usage to include it. The practice of omitting it was started by newspapers in order to save space.

Here's a good presentation of the argument against, one that is accepted by many English speaking countries and the majority of American non-academic styleguides (which, as you suggest, are primarily newspapers and magazines).

Personally, I use the serial comma, but I agree with the con argument that 90%+ of the time it serves no functional purpose and so to the extent that a rule is needed it should be simply that the comma is mandatory only when its use eliminates ambiguity.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by JWBear

I simply don't agree. Every writing class I have ever taken taught that it is proper usage to include it.

Whereas my college courses taught that either was correct.

Ironically, I use (and prefer) the serial comma.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors drive me crazy. I have learned to accept a certain level of error in the online world, but I can't say I like it. I don't know if the poster is in a hurry, lazy, uneducated, or just doesn't care, or what, but I can't love the errors.

In public material, errors are worse. Published books, signs, etc, really need to be correct. Once or twice it's been so egregious I've written to the publisher offering my services as proofreader as they so obviously need it and don't have it. I can't accept errors in published material. There they come off as stupid or lazy and there's no excuse.

Kevy, I'm with you in looking at a page and the errors JUMP out at me.

[lashbear]

Anyway, everybody knows 'apostrophe' is pronounced "Appa-stroaf". So there. Nee'ner

[Cadaverous Pallor]

punctuation
exclamation
indication
declaration

sometimes I think
I'll stick to unguided poetry
this is how my brain works anyway

no worries of crossing lines
outside the jurisdiction
of the grammar mafia

still, appreciate
good usage
have my share of angst






especially elsewhere on the internet.

[Betty]

Okay - who here (besides me) feels the needs to circle the errors? I know that no one else is going to see the page but I really want to circle them all with a big red marker. (as if someone will then make them correct?)

[BarTopDancer]

Is that why there is white out and sharpie on your monitor?

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Somebody (possibly someone on this board, but I cannot recall) taught me this quick reference: any time you are going to use "its" or "it's", test the sentence by using "it is." If "it is" works, then use the contraction "it's." If it doesn't work, use "its."

If only I could remember this. I am constantly getting this wrong and I've tried to get a good pneumonic device to help me out, but to no avail.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

If only I could remember this. I am constantly getting this wrong and I've tried to get a good pneumonic device to help me out, but to no avail.

I'm sorry, but . . . bammo!

At least you didn't say "pneumatic device." That would have been quotable.

[Not Afraid]

Mnemonic. I even put my original bad spelling of it into google search to get the "correct" spelling. Apparently there is just no way to get around bad spelling.