Internet Grammar

**enf** · 03-19-08, 10:21 PM

First off, if you have taken time to memorize leet speak, then by all means, go right on ahead and type your gibberish. This is really more about common misspelled words that are used day in and day out all over the internet. From web forums to business emails to even "articles" posted on the web.

your <> you're (this has to be the worst of them all)
were <> where
to <> two <> too
our <> are

I just think its sad that even with all the dummy-proof technology out there checking our spelling and even our grammar, we still find ways to be lazy and not take 5 seconds to reread what we just typed. I'm no scholar. I'm just an average college grad with an MIS degree. I'm not saying people have to be flawless, but when its just a habit to misspell so many things, you think it would be easy to make it a habit to at least check to see if what you typed actually makes sense. Nobody's life is that filled where they can't double check what they type to possibly show others that you can conduct yourself in a manner that is higher than a chimp that drinks his own urine.

Thanks for reading.

<Steps off soapbox>

**Adretheon** · 03-19-08, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by tr_enf

your <> you're (this has to be the worst of them all)

IDK about that. I hate than <> then. That just bugs the crap outta me.

BTW:

Then = a point in time (ex. "I shot you, then I tea bagged you")

Than = a comparison (ex. "I die more than most")

**IronStomach** · 03-19-08, 10:49 PM

Ohh, and let's not forget the apostrophe s's. I'm pretty sure that's the one thing that people second-guess themselves on the most.

**Benandorf** · 03-20-08, 09:46 AM

You forgot the biggest one: They're/Their/There.

I agree with you, tr. Especially with how most browsers now have built-in spell-checker, a lot of misspellings are just lazy.

**sjt17** · 03-20-08, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Benandorf

I agree with you, tr. Especially with how most browsers now have built-in spell-checker, a lot of misspellings are just lazy.

What & how you type is who you are in the internet world.

**Phaedro** · 03-20-08, 10:20 AM

My personal pet peeves are the following

Affect versus effect.

Affect is a verb and effect is a noun, vis-a-vis, you affect and effect.

And anyways. It is anyway...singular.

Data is plural. The singular is datum, which is never used.

Kudos is a greek phrase for congratulations and is singular.

**WileECyte** · 03-20-08, 10:24 AM

Another common one is loose/lose.

**enf** · 03-20-08, 10:25 AM

"Since last week you thought the plural to sheep was moose."

haha, oh Family Guy...

**Phaedro** · 03-20-08, 10:50 AM

tr_enf. Thanks for starting this thread. I'm also going to step on the soapbox a little.

There is no such thing as informal writing. It is a common assumption that writing informally (emails, posts, etc.) 'doesn't count' and that when the time comes, one will be able to write well. However, writing well is a learned behavior that requires practice. Such an assumption is equivalent to Tiger Woods not focusing on his game when he's not playing in a tournament.

Sooner or later, we all will have to write a document that counts.

Couple more pet peeves
e.g. = exempli gratia (for example)
i.e. = id est (that is, or in other words)

They are NOT synonymous. :4

OK...done now. I feel better.

**enf** · 03-20-08, 12:43 PM

I don't know about the rest of you, but I type as if I'm speaking to someone. Would you really say where in place of were? I just don't get it. It's scary to see younger people constantly doing it. You have to wonder what our public school are teaching these kids....