to think it is bloody nasty and childish to pull someone up on grammer

[2shoes]

on here(mn) I mean ffs
can I just say arse holes to anyone who does that?

Only if their own post was snobbish or arrogant about other people's education or abilities- then I do think it is justified.

I do worry a little about grammar,spelling etc. especially from parents.I would try not to correct it on here, but it bothers me that some of you don't think it matters.Why then do you care if teachers don't correct your dc's work or indeed if teachers themselves make errors.After all if it doesn't matter then it doesn't matter.
YAB a little U

I have just remembered a horrible incident during the week, where a first time MN poster was basically sniggered at for being thick because she used text speak, no paragraphs etc. Which is pretty standard most other places on the web.
The worst thing was she was posting about the loss of her daughter, on a not unrelated topic. It was not unintelligable but certain people were too judgemental and arrogant to spend an extra 2 seconds in reading, but they could certainly spend the extra time in writing mocking posts.

I can't post at work so I couldn't respond, but that woman did not need such scorn.
So YANBU at all, 2shoes.

And out of principle I am going to let that spelling mistake in my post stand.

Well, English isn't my first language. I am sure my posts are far from perfect grammar-wise (is that even a word?), but so far no one has pulled me up on it.

Therefore, I have started to post a bit more.

You are also absolutely right in that instance wukter.I wouldn't correct an adult unless they were posting about grammar/spelling but the concept of it not mattering does bother me.I abhor text speak.It is beginning to creep into GCSE English exams[which I mark]and it is not accepyable-except in a text of course.

oops!acceptable

"no one hangs on every bleedin word"

Sometimes they do. Here is an example where that extra word was needed, and in another post I missed out the word not which made a hell of a difference!

I would also stick to two spaces after a full stop, but that doesn't work in most web sites, without special effort!

If it matters to anyone, I don't even do 'text speak' on texts I send.

Find it quite shocking when people older than me use "4" and "2" in their texts.

One used to be a head teacher, and she's 10 years my senior!

I can spell and punctuate. However, I all to frequently look back at what I've just posted and spot some glaring homophone error (There for their, or your for you're) too late to correct it.

I would be bloody annoyed if anyone pulled me up on it.

I think these posts should be restricted to pedants' corner.

YANBU it's arsey

The reason I don't like bad spelling and punctuation is that it seems selfish and arrogant. There are plenty of examples of how to spell words correctly and write grammatical English- the majority of words in the public domain are spelt right- so failing to do the same thing does tend to indicate a disregard for the reader.

We have rules for spelling and grammar to make things clear, so people don't have to get sidetracked in trying to work out what words you're actually using, and instead can concentrate on what you mean. Most of the time bad spelling doesn't make it unclear, but sometimes it really does, and for anyone who has bothered to learn how to spell and punctuate, it's irritating to find people who don't care- it's just an example of thinking that the rules don't apply to you; do sloppy spellers park in disabled spaces with no right to, or use mobile phones in quiet carriages on trains? I don't know, but the feeling exists that it's the same kind of thing- I can be bothered to obey the rules- why can't you?

Now, I do appreciate that some people find it more difficult than others to get their spelling and grammar right, and I've never picked anyone up on it here or anywhere else (except occasionally at work when it was essential). There's a world of difference between finding it difficult and simply not bothering.

But it does matter. I realise this opinion will not win me any friends (certainly on this thread), but that's the way I feel about it.

I don't correct spelling or grammar on MN. But I always notice spelling and grammatical errors; it's the way I'm wired. I can't prevent myself from noticing them, they scream at me.

Of course I'm not immune to them myself, they will always occur on a forum, especially one without an edit function.

I think the English language is a very important tool. Like any tool, incorrect usage can be awkward or on occasion dangerous. I prefer to see it used correctly and enjoy reading posts more when that is the case. Therefore, I develop more interest in that subject and more affection for that poster.

Errors are not the end of the world, but consistent errors undermine anyone.

'Oh, yes I hate it when people make a spelling mistake but then post again to correct that mistake.'

OK, when I joined mumsnet, that's what everyone seemed to be doing so I thought it was what one did.
If it ain't, then I won't.

I must admit I find it painful to quote someone without an overwhelming desire to spellcheck, grammar check and punctuate their text.
I don't, it would be rude, but the desire is there.

prism.. Its an internet forum ..It really doesn't matter .

My English has got worse I think over the years. Homophones are real buggers.

I do think that correcting others is bad form. Unless, as cory mentions, the poster is an arrogant smart arse. Then it's fun

Only done by people who are poor debaters with low self esteem

I really dont agree. I didnt realise my spelling was bad until a lecturer at uni took me to one side and told me he was going to have to start marking me down if I didn`t improve it. I was very embarrassed and annoyed but it did make me take more care in the end.
The other day on MN, someone used a word I had never heard of before so I asked what they meant. The person told me the meaning, no probs.
We are life long learners so if someone was to correct something I had written I would thank them and try not to do it again because I like to learn new things.
If their intent was to be snidey or nasty that would be their problem not mine.

"I must admit I find it painful to quote someone without an overwhelming desire to spellcheck, grammar check and punctuate their text.

I don't, it would be rude, but the desire is there."

Rude or not, if things are glaring, commas are missing, and a sentence is poor English, I will happily correct it before quoting it. After all, it was what was meant to have been written, and I'm just giving a 'helping hand'.

I don't remember anyone having a hissy fit about my altering it, then again, I would give short shrift if they did.

Rude? Consider it constructive, not rude.

The brain 'fixes' lots of typos for us, so we often miss our own mistakes (which then appear glaringly obvious on re-reading, or to a fresh pair of eyes, if one has a proofreader - found a university document about it, including errors for students to spot!)

"Its an internet forum .. It really doesn't matter "

Cannot agree. Say you had been an English Professor and for some reason became unable to leave your bed, brain working, body less so. Would you say that discussions online (assuming speech was impossible, and only via the internet were you able to converse) should have any less care ? How would the ex-Professor think if her students were incapable of stringing sentences together without correct punctuation, descending into text speak, and so forth ?

Just because it's the internet, a different method of contact, doesn't mean standards and quality should be allowed to drop to zero.

Ever written a letter to the editor, or made contact with any organisation, via e-mail ? Would you go about it in a haphazard way "just because it is via the internet" and that you have no need for punctuation, capital letters, new paragraphs ?

I sincerely hope not, and doubt you'd take any less care than if you had used a typewriter in days gone by - you'd be succinct, to the point about your request / complaint / suggestion and take care not to have simple errors, lest the correspondence be binned on receipt as "worthless rubbish" (I really pity anyone having to read covering letters submitted with applications for jobs these days, if they are sloppy because "it was via the net").

Err if I was submitting a job application online or writing an official e mail ,of course I would take more care.. An internet forum is for recreational purposes only IMO ..how can you compare the two?

YANBU It's a bit rude.

Well I think there are two different concerns here- A) Whether spelling and grammar matter, and B) Whether it's appropriate on Mumsnet to point out other people's mistakes in English usage.

Mumsnet isn't a spelling test so I don't think for a moment that people ought to be corrected on here. But I do think it matters, and actually I think it matters particularly in the parental context, as bringing up your children to think that things don't matter- eating healthily, washing, being polite, being on time, spelling, manners... is doing them a disservice. All of these things pay off in later life and call me old-fashioned, (go on) but I think that you're doing your children a good turn if you at least make them aware of what to do- they will thank you for it one day (possibly in the very distant future!).

My ds is 17 and always uses correct grammar and punctuation,even on fb ..in fact hes bloody annoying because he corrects my grammar ..so go figure that one prism

oh hes also dyslexic ..so uses the firefox spell checker as well