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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it is embarrassing to use a lower case 'I' in the middle of a sentence?

80 replies

josil · 19/04/2022 20:48

I see this quite a lot in my workplace, AIBU to think it's embarrassing that an adult would use a lower case 'i' in the middle of a sentence?

AIBU?

OP posts:
chisanunian · 19/04/2022 22:31

If they are capable of such an elementary mistake and not notice it or bother to check for typos, it would make me think that they can't be trusted to do their job without making other fundamental errors.

ladydimitrescu · 19/04/2022 22:37

Not as embarrassing as starting a thread on it Confused

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 19/04/2022 22:37

agree @josil

Original poster
josil · 19/04/2022 22:39

@chisanunian

If they are capable of such an elementary mistake and not notice it or bother to check for typos, it would make me think that they can't be trusted to do their job without making other fundamental errors.
^^exactly this
OP posts:
Herejustforthisone · 19/04/2022 22:52

@josil

I should have out this into context - I see it in formal emails to clients and also on job applications. I received a job application earlier and it was done throughout the whole cover letter, it definitely was not a typo.

I mean in a formal context. Of course, an informal chat is very different.

I’d find this hugely discouraging in a formal letter and would probably disregard it in an application setting. It’s not and never has been correct. I don’t take informal trends into account in business.

I don’t like photos on CVs either. Or irrelevant links to someone’s own Instagram and TikTok accounts. 🤦🏼‍♀️

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 19/04/2022 22:53

My son is dyslexic and this is a mistake he frequently makes.. of course I encourage proofreading, and actively support with that when it’s something important. But it’s no more “embarrassing” than my wheelchair..
I do get that some grammar mistakes have a nails on a blackboard effect, and if you’re a person’s manager you can certainly feed back to them to be more aware of it in written communications, but I think that was a poor choice of word.

Original poster
josil · 19/04/2022 23:01

I've just typed a text to see if my predictive messaging corrects it and it did, so I have no idea how people can excuse it?

My grammar is far from perfect but I don't understand how you could have read books/news articles etc for the whole of your life and still not noticed lower case 'I' looks ridiculous in the middle of a sentence.

It baffles me 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Clarinet1 · 19/04/2022 23:11

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

BitOutOfPractice · 19/04/2022 23:17

Embarrassing? I thought I was easily embarrassed but this is a new level.

Fawncard · 19/04/2022 23:18

@josil

I've just typed a text to see if my predictive messaging corrects it and it did, so I have no idea how people can excuse it?

My grammar is far from perfect but I don't understand how you could have read books/news articles etc for the whole of your life and still not noticed lower case 'I' looks ridiculous in the middle of a sentence.

It baffles me 🤷‍♀️

Um they are prob not typing up their CV on their phone using predictive messaging! Most likely using Microsoft Word on a computer where it doesn't actively correct the word for you. Yeah it's sloppy but it's not baffling or embarrassing. YABU
AllLopsided · 19/04/2022 23:20

@josil

I've just typed a text to see if my predictive messaging corrects it and it did, so I have no idea how people can excuse it?

My grammar is far from perfect but I don't understand how you could have read books/news articles etc for the whole of your life and still not noticed lower case 'I' looks ridiculous in the middle of a sentence.

It baffles me 🤷‍♀️

My predictive text is set to two languages, so sometimes autocorrect misses the capitalisation of i on my iPad (like that). I have got out of the habit of capitalising myself on the iPad/phone because autocorrect always used to pick it up until I added the second language a few years ago.

However I agree it's not acceptable in a formal context (I used to work in publishing too). I do make mistakes in my second language though I would probably ask a friend to check a job application.

Kite22 · 19/04/2022 23:21

I'm not sure 'embarrassed' is the word I would use, but YANBU that it is unprofessional and a pretty low bar in terms of getting written English wrong. I mean, I've just tried in typing this post and it automatically underlines it, which should point out to the person typing that it needs correcting.

Calandor · 19/04/2022 23:42

Yes it's sloppy and annoying to read. Jarring. Also makes no sense as autocorrect adds the capitals on phones and on laptops

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 20/04/2022 06:44

YANBU. It looks sloppy and unprofessional.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/04/2022 06:55

No, I don't think it's embarrassing. If you think that's embarrassing you need to get a grip.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/04/2022 06:58

I work in a very manual work setting, some of the older blokes there haven't sent an email in their lives as it's never been necessary for them. We have a new site where they got a computer for the first time and I'm lucky if I get any words spelled correctly when they email me, let alone perfect grammar. I could be a judgy prick, but I choose not to.

Crazykatie · 20/04/2022 07:00

It’s understandable to make errors if you are dyslexic, if so you’re not likely to be writing to clients, your talents are elsewhere, it’s me that gets embarrassed if I make serious mistakes. We do need to be careful because it’s easy to convey the wrong impression or even reverse the meaning, predictive words and capitalization can do this as well, so do proof read.

Zoom101 · 20/04/2022 07:04

SmellyOldOwls · 19/04/2022 21:36

No, the content of the message is what's important.

I do cringe at inappropriate use of 'myself' though. 'Please respond to myself by close of play' raises the hairs on my arms.

Yes to this!

What is it with the constant use of myself, yourself, himself and/or herself. I think people believe it makes them sound more intelligent but it really, really doesn’t. It’s so jarring!

Jewel1968 · 20/04/2022 09:20

You have not explained what you mean by 'embarrassed'. Did you mean to use that word because it doesn't make sense. Who is embarrassed? Why are they likely to be embarrassed?

BitOutOfPractice · 20/04/2022 09:24

But look on the bright side OP, if everyone's grammar and spelling were perfect you'd have nobody to feel superior to.

interest12 · 20/04/2022 10:28

I wouldn’t employ someone who who did that in a job application.
But i have been known to do it informally at work and not bother correcting it. And for context, I’m an editor.

Original poster
josil · 21/04/2022 21:21

@BitOutOfPractice

But look on the bright side OP, if everyone's grammar and spelling were perfect you'd have nobody to feel superior to.
Hmm
OP posts:
oatmilkicedchai · 21/04/2022 22:43

I thought this was a Gen Z stylistic thing - is it not?

I thought it was intentional.

oatmilkicedchai · 21/04/2022 22:43

Together with using lowercase letters for peoples first names and proper nouns.

LadyMil · 22/04/2022 11:17

If it's just during regular messaging, then I don't see the issue.

However, if it is for more serious matters, such as sending emails to senior office members or for out of office matters, then it is sloppy.

I have seen people with no qualifications have excellent grammar and people who have A grades in English and top University grades in English have terrible grammar.