Apostrophes or is it apostrophe's?

[OakLeaf]

the ellipsis

Am I still allowed to use it in forum posts?

I consider this sort of medium as pretty much the ultimate in informality ... emoticons and all ...

[KnottedYet]

I admire someone much more for what they have to say than how they say it.

(and some people I find disgust me for the exact same reason)

I like her idea's and I think shes a valuable member of this forum and her post's add a lot more than some folks's.
I'm tired of the perennial grammar lesson's whenever she return's to TE.

[jobob]

So I'm going to have a cow if this topic comes up for a FOURTH TIME when she begin's posting after a long absen'se. Three is my limit. I've reached my limit.

Seems like you had that cow already if the last four (or was it five?) previous versions of this post were any indication.

Correction, six.

[KnottedYet]

Oh, cool, I'm someone's hobby!

What a warm feeling that gives me! My very own stalker!

Yes, more than that. Maybe 10 or 12 versions by now. How do I say what I want with just that right touch of righteous indignation, the right level of gutter repulsion, the right firmness defending someone I really like who keeps getting slammed for the same damn (meaningless) thing over and over again?

I'm glad you enjoy the show. Maybe I'll change it a few more times.

Stay tuned!

[ClockworkOrange]

I have met many people over the years who are dyslexic, also people on other forums and although I totally agree with the OP, we still have to remember this is only a forum and it would be a shame to put anybody off from posting, for fear of being ridiculed.

PS Only just noticed this, love it.

Oh, cool, I'm someone's hobby!

[OakLeaf]

Well, y'know, right at this very moment we have the other thread going on about people who give well-meaning but unsolicited advice about diet.

The consensus in that thread is that although it's really tempting to give that sort of advice, it's also extremely inappropriate, and very hurtful to the person on the receiving end.

The difference would be ....... ?

[Crankin]

I would never give anyone direct grammar advice on this forum.
Most people don't care about grammar, in any situation, so this is *my* issue. In a lot of cases, poor grammar is some form of learning disability; in others, poor teaching.
Just saying it bothers me to see it, as it seems to be a growing problem, everywhere, even in professional contexts, as so many of you have mentioned.

I am glad Veronica is inspiring young writers to learn the correct usage of grammar, in a way that makes it useful. When I first started teaching English, I was very much against direct teaching of grammar rules, because as a Special Ed teacher, it just never worked. But, I developed some strategies that worked in the context of some pretty detailed and creative writing pieces. Not everyone learned everything they needed to, but it didn't feel painful, in the way it had in the past.

[indysteel]

Well, y'know, right at this very moment we have the other thread going on about people who give well-meaning but unsolicited advice about diet.

The consensus in that thread is that although it's really tempting to give that sort of advice, it's also extremely inappropriate, and very hurtful to the person on the receiving end.

The difference would be ....... ?

I see some difference. What is and is not an "appropriate" diet is both highly subjective and highly personal. Grammatically correct communication is arguably neither of these things, minus the areas that are the subject of debate or style. I do think you have to tread lightly when correcting someone's grammar, but it can be done constructively and with good intentions. Perhaps I just have thicker skin about it. My boss edits my writing every day. I'm the queen of unintended typos, so red ink is my friend. I know grammar far better than he does, so I will edit his writing if necessary, too. The point is that we strive for effective communication.

Now, I must have missed the part where Veronica directed this at a particular member. I was also unaware that this has come up before with this member. Perhaps it is time to let the subject go then if past attempts have failed. If this thread was intended for her or she takes it that way, then I hope that she views it as constructive criticism. No one wants to ridicule her; at least I don't.

[zoom-zoom]

A local politician just used who's instead of whose on his FB page - more than once in a post. It makes me cringe. I like the guy, but it's hard to take seriously an educated person with such a weak handle on basic grammar.