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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to think that anyone under 40 doesn't care about grammars and, as a result, society is doomed.

104 replies

Spattergroit · 27/10/2023 20:14

Decent spelling and grammar are the cornerstones of civilised society and yet so many people defend their wright [sic] to do it wrong.

AIBU to think that we should be worried. Really worried. About the future of our society.

AIBU also to think that it is largely an affliction of the under 40's and that they are lazy about language which translates to other areas of life.

NB IABU to not make it a poll but until @mumsnethq offers this as an option on the app it just ain't possible ...

OP posts:
Fahbeep · 27/10/2023 20:30

Is grammars a portmanteau of grammar and manners? If so, I approve!

bluebeck · 27/10/2023 20:30

Glad to see you was giving it 110% OP

PedantScorner · 27/10/2023 20:30

Is it half-term?

Original poster
Spattergroit · 27/10/2023 20:31

bluebeck · 27/10/2023 20:30

Glad to see you was giving it 110% OP

I always gives. Even when I am in the que waiting for the grammar click to notice how well I am doing.

OP posts:
Fahbeep · 27/10/2023 20:32

OP, you would not be popular in Pedants' Corner. They have policy of non-engagement with piss takers 😂.

ilovesooty · 27/10/2023 20:35

Is this supposed to be funny? If I were dyslexic I don't think I'd be amused.

Original poster
Spattergroit · 27/10/2023 20:37

Fahbeep · 27/10/2023 20:32

OP, you would not be popular in Pedants' Corner. They have policy of non-engagement with piss takers 😂.

I'm more of a sporner comer kind of a chap but that's a whole 'nother thread.

So: To return to the issue at hand - is bad grammar (and spelling) a bellweather for the downfall of civilisation? So far the evidence appears entirely in my favour.

Discuss.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spattergroit · 27/10/2023 20:37

ilovesooty · 27/10/2023 20:35

Is this supposed to be funny? If I were dyslexic I don't think I'd be amused.

Are you dyslexic? If you aren't are you amused?

Discuss

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 27/10/2023 20:44

Spattergroit · 27/10/2023 20:37

Are you dyslexic? If you aren't are you amused?

Discuss

Show quote history

If you were capable of reading my post properly you'd know I'm not dyslexic.

No, I'm not amused. I also don't care for being told to discuss.

Greygardenz · 27/10/2023 20:46

Fings ain't wot they used to b

Original poster
Spattergroit · 27/10/2023 20:47

Greygardenz · 27/10/2023 20:46

Fings ain't wot they used to b

So trU

OP posts:
Dillane · 27/10/2023 20:48

doesn’t care about grammar

Physician heal thyself 🙄

Fairospop22 · 27/10/2023 20:49

I’m worried about the future of our society. Not because of grammar but just because

TheMoth · 27/10/2023 20:50

I'll bite.

I'm 44 and the generation who weren't taught grammar, specifically. We were taught full stops and (shudder) commas 'when you take a breath". But other than that, we just kind of worked it out. I maintain it's because we read more, so picked it up from seeing it in action.

Doing language modules as part of my degree blew my mind.

I will have taught many of those who are under 40 now. They will have been taught all the grammar from primary school and up, so can probably name parts of speech better than I could at 18. But can they apply it?

I also think capital letters are in a slow fade to obsolescence. Even for names. At least, going by the teenagers I teach. But then, once upon a time, we capitalised most nouns and people will have got upset over their demise. The English teacher in me is in constant battle with the descriptivist me.

Meowandthen · 27/10/2023 20:54

Oh the irony of this title.

The worst writing I see is in Facebook groups for older people. Ones about nostalgia, remembering the 50s/60s/70s, and similar.

Most members seem to be utter strangers to punctuation or good grammar. Half the posts are about how life was great, is now dreadful, and the awfulness of young people, with a smattering of sexism and racism. (I looked at quite a few for a work project.)

Your pearl-clutching is unreasonable. I’m a pedant but am aware that other issues are killing society.

ThinWomansBrain · 27/10/2023 20:54

given the "grammars" in the title I thought i was a post about education systems.
Given the grammar and spelling in th OP, maybe comprehensives do have a lot to answer for.

Original poster
Spattergroit · 27/10/2023 20:59

Meowandthen · 27/10/2023 20:54

Oh the irony of this title.

The worst writing I see is in Facebook groups for older people. Ones about nostalgia, remembering the 50s/60s/70s, and similar.

Most members seem to be utter strangers to punctuation or good grammar. Half the posts are about how life was great, is now dreadful, and the awfulness of young people, with a smattering of sexism and racism. (I looked at quite a few for a work project.)

Your pearl-clutching is unreasonable. I’m a pedant but am aware that other issues are killing society.

I guess that my point is if we let the so called 'little' things go then where does that leave the big things?

One day we hold open the doors, the next we let them slam in the face of the elderly and infirm. Where does it stop? To my mind caring about language isn't an affectation, it is a vindication of our humanity. To attack those who support good grammars [sic] is very common but reveals a side of humanity that is unkind and often ignorant.

And for the hard of humour the title is intended to be ironic.

OP posts:
RustyBear · 27/10/2023 21:01

It’s only those aged c20-40; since 2016 KS2 SATS have included a spelling and grammar test - younger people know the difference between a subordinate clause and a prepositional phrase. 😁

Beezknees · 27/10/2023 21:04

I'm 33. I can spell and I think my grammar is OK. I can't bear pretentiousness though.

VWdieselnightmare · 27/10/2023 21:04

ACGTHelix · 27/10/2023 20:28

Language, as a dynamic and livin' entity, undergo continual adaptation and evolution through the passage of time. The adherence to establish norms in spelling and grammar remain imperative for the facilitation of lucid communication. The attainin' of a delicate equilibrium in this regard not only ensures the efficacy of communication but also underscore an appreciation for the multifaceted diversity and dynamic nature characterizin' language.

Oh. Z spellings. Are you American?

EarringsandLipstick · 27/10/2023 21:08

OldBilge · 27/10/2023 20:15

@Spattergroit, I’d take this plea a lot more seriously if the grammar weren’t quite poor.

😆

EarringsandLipstick · 27/10/2023 21:10

And for the hard of humour the title is intended to be ironic.

Sure it is.

Nice attempt at a rescue, OP

Bigbonesmeatandgravy · 27/10/2023 21:11

This is the dickhead bloke who posts long winded, ridiculously thought out bollocks in a 'humorous' way and then awaits the adoration on their witty style.
Bugger off.

theduchessofspork · 27/10/2023 21:12

I thought you meant the schools..

Brbreeze · 27/10/2023 21:14

I'm early 30s. I don't agree at all that it's age related. I've worked with people my parents age who have shocking grammar, and plenty of younger people who do seem to grasp it.

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