Is proper spelling even taught in schools anymore? Everywhere I look, I see apostrophe-s ('s) being used to pluralize words - in magazines, on TV, on company correspondence! Doesn't anyone else remember that apostrophe-s means a contraction or a possessive? And where are the copy editors who should be correcting these before this ignorance is printed and distributed?

Sent by Chuck Wilson | 7:38 PM ET | 07-26-2007

Lighte'n up. as long as an idea gets acros's, mos't people dont care about spelling or punctuation anymore

Period
____

Although I'll admit it makes me nuts as an editor as well, I figure if it communicates the idea properly (at a minimum) I'll let it slide on public signs and things like that. However, I view anything published under my reign as a reflection of both me and the intelligence of my publications, so I'm pretty much a "grammar Nazi" as well. I wish more people felt that way, but frankly, I've come to accept that they dont, and I'm old enough to know I won't be changing the world any time soon.

Sent by Bruce | 5:40 AM ET | 07-27-2007

I have mixed emotions about this. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, it was drilled into us in school that spelling and grammar is so important that an "F" could result just from one or two errors in your term paper. And I can understand the discipline involved. Yet, I'm also a big believer in the thought itself, not the spelling and grammar. In addition, I recall reading old ("classic!") liturature with inconsistent spelling (if not in the document itself, at least with other literature of the time). So, what difference does it (always) make?

Sent by Kerry Kleiber | 6:33 AM ET | 07-27-2007

I'm an English teacher and constantly correct public grammar as well as try to guide my young students in using proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. to improve communication. If it's not important to us, why are there so many blogs and articles on the net about it?

Sent by Ann | 8:12 AM ET | 07-27-2007

Correct spelling is a wonderful goal to have, but please remember that there are people of very high intelligence who are creative thinkers and writers, but may have dyslexia and other differences that make spelling difficult. Spell checkers catch errors, but not all of them. So don't assume there is a lack of intelligence behind an error -- think carefully about your judgement of other writers. It is wonderful to have the ability to spell perfectly, but remember that just as not everyone can run, not everyone can spell.

Sent by Ann | 9:21 AM ET | 07-27-2007

My brother was an amazingly gifted electrical engineer, and he couldn't spell 'cat.'

Sent by Polly H. | 10:11 AM ET | 07-27-2007

If you want to feel good about grammar and editors, read Salon's "Now Let Us Praise Editors." http://www.salon.com/opinion/kamiya/2007/07/24/editing/index.html

If you want to feel bad about grammar and editors, read some of the awful comments after the article.

Sent by Mark | 10:48 AM ET | 07-27-2007

Mistakes on public signs perpetuate the public's use and acceptance of those mistakes. Carry on, Kate!

Also, I must point out to Ann that "judgement" has only one "e". Don't fret--it's a common mistake.

Sent by Kathryn | 2:23 PM ET | 07-27-2007

Hurrah! Grammar is the skeleton of good writing and good writing reflects cogent thinking. I'm tired of slackers who won't take the time to proof their work. Is it acceptable to be that erroneous in one's checkbook? No! By the way, I'm a teacher, a veteran of thirty-eight years.

Sent by Barb | 12:49 PM ET | 07-29-2007

Bruce's post on proofreading (7/27/07) is a perfect example of why we grouse about but still need editors. As a self-admitted "grammar Nazi," even he had a typo (dont instead of don't) in his comment. Like it or not, Spell Check and another set of eyes is always a good idea.

Sent by Nancy Hall | 5:39 PM ET | 07-29-2007

I reckon the "grammar vandal" is a misnomer as she seems to be more concerned about punctuation and spelling than grammar.

A grammar mistake that I hear being made all the time, including by NPR announcers, is the use of the word "I" when it should be "me" - e.g. "It was a big, popular one for my sister and I." There's a good explanation of why that's wrong here: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/myself.html
and
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/him.html

Another common grammar mistake that bothers me is "I feel badly" - Americans say that all the time. Shouldn't it be "I feel bad"? What are they actually saying? That their ability to feel is not very good? Or that they feel sympathy for someone?

And another: "You should eat healthy" - when the speaker is not describing the food but the way you should eat. In that context the word used should be "healthily", not "healthy".

It's annoying hearing people make these kinds of grammar mistakes so often, but also a bit pointless worrying about it. Language is dynamic, grammar rules change over time. We'll just have to like it or lump it and get on with doing something more constructive. There's a really nice book about that:
Weeds in the Garden of Words by Kate Burridge. I think the Grammar Vandal should read it!

Sent by Catherine | 9:55 PM ET | 08-04-2007

I also get a little cranky when I hear and red these common mistakes. To Ann, most of the time one knows that dyslexia is something that affects one's writing. When this is the case it behooves one to ask someone else to proof one's writing. It certainly can't hurt.

Sent by Kathryn B-B | 8:03 AM ET | 02-13-2008