Ultimate Unofficial Guide

[lorien_eve <natmichaels@hotmail.com>]

Thank you for defending us Americans! I'm not a teacher, but English 
and Literature were my favorite subjects in school (years ago!). I 
am also and avid reader. Because of this, I too, notice grammatical 
errors and spelling mistakes and it drives me CRAZY! Especially the 
use of "they're, their, and there." I've joined several Yahoo! 
groups only to realize that the majority of the members completely 
slaughter the language and I abruptly leave the group. I cannot 
carry on a conversation with people who so obviously (to me, at 
least) make these errors. I've been known to make typos and the 
occasional mistake myself, by not paying full attention to what I'm 
doing. But for people to blatantly and continously make these 
mistakes.....well, like I said, it drives me CRAZY!! 

Lorien_Eve


--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Richelle Votaw" 
<rvotaw at i...> wrote:
> GulPlum wrote:
> 
> > Incidentally, and I don't mean to talk down to anyone but I'm 
> > curious: do American schools not teach proper use of apostrophes 
any 
> > more? (In particular when to use "it's" -v- "its", and correct 
usage 
> > of "there/their/they're" or "your/you're".) Even in HPFGU I 
> > frequently find people who seem to be native speakers who appear 
> > never to have been taught the difference. 
> 
> I haven't read the book in question (yet, though I suspect I will 
eventually, if nothing else to entertain myself until OotP is out), 
but I will jump in to defend my country.  :)  Yes, American schools 
most definitely teach all of the above.  As early as first grade, I 
can verify that, I teach it myself.  I can't promise that they learn 
it, but I do teach it.  I can sympathize with you, though, since as 
a teacher I notice that sort of thing more than most Americans 
probably do.  I find it very difficult to have a normal conversation 
with anyone (online or otherwise) without correcting their grammar.  
I frequently bite my tongue to prevent something coming out, I know 
most adults don't want to be corrected by a first grade teacher.  
> 
> Still, we all make mistakes at some time or another, I suppose.  
Myself, commas drive me insane.  "They" (whoever "they" are) keep 
changing the rule about commas and when to use them.  The latest 
inservice I went to basically says I'm doing it all wrong.  I didn't 
bother to change, though, since by the time I would get it 
straight "they" will change it back anyway.
> 
> If you see me making major grammatial and punctual errors, you can 
pass it off to overwork for the day. :)  
> 
> Richelle
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]