To think that it is very unfair, to pick someone up on spelling or grammar, just because you disagree with what they are saying.

[smokepole]

I posted recently on a ongoing topic in this section, I was picked up for my "appalling" grammar, my use of punctuation and for my sentence construction. I noticed that when my opinion changed , strangely enough my grammar or incorrect use of exclamation marks was not picked up upon. I have noticed that this happened on other threads as well. I think this is wrong for two reasons, the first being that it is a kind of bullying, intimating that because someone struggles with spelling, punctuation or correct sentence construction, that there are thick, therefore their argument or view point does not stand up. The other point it is very unfair to pick people up who have not benefited from higher education, or in my case not even education post GCSE'S, people need to realise this and accept that they have been fortunate to have been able to access higher education, but they need to give people like me some slack over my poor grammar or sentence construction.

[smokepole]

I notice that this has happened on other threads as well

[BeeBlanket]

It is a bit mean but it depends on the context. I don't like it when people do it out of the blue and it's not relevant. But we do have a pedants' corner on MN for those who care about these things. And one of the things I love about MN is the high literacy standard and lack of text speak.

Usually, if someone does it in a mean way, other people on the thread pull them up on it.

[ApocalypseNowt]

I do think it's rude and unfair.

Bad grammar and spelling do bug me tbh but i think the only time i'd pick anyone up on it would be if i was unable to understand the point that person was trying to make.

[CraicWhore]

I spent several years at university, I'm constantly on some training course or other and my spelling and grammar is still crap. I agree, intelligence is not limited to how you post on MN.
I think when people start picking up on these things it's because they really have no better argument.

[Writerwannabe83]

But everyone has their irrational bugbears and admittedly spelling and punctuation is one of mine. I wouldn't pass comment or correct it if I saw errors in someone's post but I would inwardly be rolling my eyes

The only person I am constantly correcting is my sister - but that's a personal joke between us, she finds it funny. Personally I think she makes 'mistakes' on purpose just to rile me up!

I get this obsession from my dad, he's exactly the same.
Its all his fault

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I hate it. Gives me the proper RAGE!

It's when someone can't think of anything better to back their point of view/opinion so they pick on spelling and grammar!

[Viviennemary]

I think it's quite rude to comment on people's spelling and grammar.

[ikeaismylocal]

I think it makes the person who corrects the poster lookllike a cock.

I'm dyslexic so most all of my posts have mistakes in them, I don't think someone's opinion is less valid because they don't have perfect spelling and grammar.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

But it's so much easier than making a reasoned argument

[Writerwannabe83]

It's the posts that don't have a single full stop in them that really drive me mad!!!

Or long posts that have no paragraphs - I very rarely read those ones. They give me a headache just looking at them.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I don't read posts with no paragraphs but I would never comment, I just don't read it.

[ikeaismylocal]

writerwannabe maybe posters feel that you have monopolized the punctuation (!!!) are you aware that there are some mumsneters who refuse to read posts from people who overuse punctuation?

I guess we are all anoyed and annoying in our own ways.

[Writerwannabe83]

It doesn't bother me if people do think I over use punctuation!!!

If people don't like posts with over-punctuation then it's not exactly a problem is it? It's too light hearted a thing to really care about!!!

[Billygoats]

I agree it's rude too.

Also many people have smart phones which use predictive/corrective text so you can often tell their phone has changed the word to something totally
different.

I wouldn't pick anybody up for it at all.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Refuse to use read over punctuated posts? Good grief, I've heard it all now. Like they are doing you a huge favour if they read your posts? !!!!!!!!!!

[DuckworthLewis]

Hmm, I'm on the fence with this one.

On the one hand, I agree with you, not everyone had the same start in life and access to the same education. It is unkind and unreasonable to sneer at someone with poor standards of literacy for these reasons.

However...

There are many many opportunities to better your own literacy standards in adulthood. My local HE college runs free (well, government funded) courses in basic literacy, numeracy and computer skills. People for whom their literacy is causing problems, for example, where their point is not being taken seriously due to their SPAG (as you describe OP) have the opportunity to access one of these courses and I do judge a teeny tiny bit when they fail to do so.

I try really hard not to judge the 'Should of' instead of 'Should've', 'loose' instead of lose etc, and certainly wouldn't pull the poster up on it (see point 1 above). That said, I subconsciously form opinions about that person which I am sure that person would prefer I didn't. I certainly wouldn't employ them.

If it is causing you problems OP, have you thought about one of these courses? It would make a massive difference to your opportunities in life.

[ikeaismylocal]

If people don't like posts with over-punctuation then it's not exactly a problem is it? It's too light hearted a thing to really care about!!!

It's not a problem at all, but then I don't think it's worth inwardly rolling your eyes about other people's posts, as mumsnet is supposed to be enjoyable, not an opportunity for people to inwardly or outwardly judge your language skills.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

I find it very useful when posters call someone out on their SPaG.

Saves me having to engage with them in future once I've added them to my shitlist.

And the last time there was a crowd of baying pedants hee hawing and slagging off other people's grammar on a thread here, I spent a happy hour counting their mistakes. One of the most vociferous smug patronising twats made 12 mistakes in one post.

yes I do still have the bit of paper with them all listed

I bet if you read their shite OP, each and every one of them will have made at least one mistake. It's the law of Sod.

[DuckworthLewis]

Jut to clarify, I wouldn't employ someone with poor SPAG, as I would worry that they would make basic mistakes while corresponding with my clients. Whatever we would like to believe to the contrary, people do judge on this and it would reflect badly on me. I've worked very hard to establish my business and good name and I can't allow that to happen.

I would end up having to check all that person's correspondence before sending, which rather defeats the object of them being there.

[DuckworthLewis]

Although, Muphrey's Law makes me chuckle, I bet I've fallen foul of it on occasion

[JonesRipley]

It's a low blow.

You think someone's talking rubbish plus they use too many exclamation marks, grocers' apostrophes, and they don't use paragraphs, so it's a bonus.

I only think it though. To say it makes you look like a twat yourself.

Also, plenty of people with good spelling and punctuation are twats too.

[wigglesrock]

I can't stand it on MN, especially when the correction is either prefixed with a "I'm not being mean/ rude but the correct spelling/grammar is ........" or the correction is followed by a passive aggressive smile. It doesn't make you any less rude/ over bearing or annoying.

Some common incorrect spelling annoy the pants off me but I don't feel the need to correct adults, it's not school.

[DuckworthLewis]

Fuckitt, I actually spelled Muphry incorrectly!