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Rikkitic

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#191176 26-Jan-2016 19:02
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I have given up expecting anyone under the age of 60, or anyone raised in New Zealand, to use correct English grammar. 10 year-old Hong Kong schoolchildren learning English as a second language speak it better than native speakers here. It is a tragedy, but that is just the way it is.

 

However, I draw the line at the constant misuse and/or misspelling of the word “there/their/they’re”. It is not rocket science, people, but if you learn to get these right everyone will think your IQ has gone up 20 points.

 

Just take 2 minutes to learn the difference. Please. It is easy. 

 


They’re: This is the easy one. It just means “they are”. If you change “they’re” in your sentence to “they are”, and it doesn’t make any sense, you are using the wrong “they’re”.

 


Their: This is the second-easiest. It just means property. Their dog, their problem, their way of doing things. If you cannot attach something that belongs to someone to your use of the word, you are probably using the wrong word.

 


There: This is used the most. There you are, there is a car, there are no pubs here, there but for fortune, she is there, thereafter, etc. If the first two don’t fit, this one is probably right.

 


Please, just take the trouble.

 

 

 

 





Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 


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littleheaven
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  #1479294 26-Jan-2016 19:17
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My bug-bear is people who say 'asterix' instead of 'asterisk'. Asterix is a cartoon character.

I've recently graduated with a Dip Edit so I am a qualified proofreader, and I have to say that I spend most of my days cringing through everything from Facebook posts to newspaper articles. It astounds me how many people don't know how to use an apostrophe properly. I recommend 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves' by Lynne Truss to anyone who is confused about punctuation. Fantastic book.





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MikeB4
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  #1479298 26-Jan-2016 19:21
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Years ago I decided to just not care, I listen and read what is being written or spoken and not how it is being written or spoken. I am not an English teacher so it's not my job to teach anyone.

DarthKermit
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  #1479307 26-Jan-2016 19:41
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Hey! I'm under 60 years old, raised in New Zealand and my grandma is just fine thank you.




k1w1k1d
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  #1479316 26-Jan-2016 20:05
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 your and you're.


Rikkitic

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  #1479329 26-Jan-2016 20:25
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I know. There are so many. But I decided to keep it simple.

 

 





Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 


Rikkitic

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  #1479331 26-Jan-2016 20:26
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DarthKermit:

 

Hey! I'm under 60 years old, raised in New Zealand and my grandma is just fine thank you.

 

 

I'm sure your grandma would never make a mistake like that!

 

 





Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 


mdf

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  #1479337 26-Jan-2016 20:38
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The Oatmeal on the subject: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling

 

 

 

Edit: making the hyperlink work


 
 
 
 

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).
andrewNZ
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  #1479350 26-Jan-2016 20:55
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I'll play your game.

I particularly hate the people mixing up then and than.


People, please.

Then is a reference to time.
I got out of bed, then I went to work.

Than is a comparison.
I'd rather stay in bed than go to work.

hashbrown
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  #1479354 26-Jan-2016 21:00
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How old do you have to be to know the difference between grammar and spellingwink

 

The difference between their and there stands out like the dogs proverbial when I'm reading.  For some reason though, it's a mistake I constantly make subconsciously while typing.


TwoSeven
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  #1479399 26-Jan-2016 21:52
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From Norman English (or old French) circa 1066.

 


hi  - there (thither) 
hiluc - there 
idunk - then there 
enois - before
Engleteid  - England 
Engleiche - English (Englith)

 

 

 

 

 

 





Software Engineer
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Gender Neutral
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 ...they/their/them...


Behodar
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  #1479406 26-Jan-2016 22:07
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Seems relevant:

 


Geektastic
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  #1479446 26-Jan-2016 22:38
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Don't get me started.

 

One of the worst has to be (and I am not even sure quite how it should be spelt) "yous" and "you". Just hideous.

 

Criminal misuse of apostrophes to denote plurals is very common. For example "Our chef's have worked hard to bring you this great food".

 

I do sometimes wonder what they do actually teach children in schools these days.






DarthKermit
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  #1479449 26-Jan-2016 22:47
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Half the kids probably think that an apostrophe is someone in the bible. tongue-out


MadEngineer
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  #1479454 26-Jan-2016 22:59
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You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

chiefie
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  #1479455 26-Jan-2016 23:02
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I found this site and browser extension of great help. https://www.grammarly.com/ 





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