Fun with Spelling and Grammar

[jenny_ravenclaw <meboriqua@aol.com>]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "joywitch_m_curmudgeon 
<joym999 at a...>" <joym999 at a...> wrote:
 
> I think that the poor writing skills of many, if not most, Americans 
> is a very serious problem.  I have had several jobs in which I was 
> responsible for hiring, and as a result I have read hundreds of 
> poorly-written resumes and cover letters.  In fact, I would say that 
> most of the cover letters I've read, even from college graduates 
> responding to ads for writers or researchers, were so poorly written 
> that I wouldn't even consider calling them.  It's depressing.
> 
> --Joywitch, who compulsively proofreads even her shopping lists>

I am with you on this one!  High school teacher that I am, there are 
times when I truly want to tear my hair out while reading what my 
students think passes as English.  I adore my students but am truly 
boggled by the fact that they don't care that they are nearly 
illiterate and make the same mistakes over and over and over and over 
again.

I have seen grammatical errors on the news ('recieve'), on numerous 
signs and menus, in books and even in a letter of recommendation 
written for me by a professor of mine from graduate school.  You can 
bet I made him correct it!  

My number one pet peeve grammatical error (and I see it ad nauseum at 
the main list) is this: the Dursley's, Weasley's, Hogwart's.  Who the 
hell taught people all over this country how *not* to use apostrophes 
correctly?

--jenny from ravenclaw, afraid I've made a mistake here and who also 
proof reads grocery lists ****************************