I think this thread is divisive and snobby. Some people here have benefitted by a great education and are acting as if everyone had access to the same. If you need to rant, rant at the school system. Be productive.

I wonder how many lurkers are feeling intimidated and judged. A misplaced apostrophe is compared to a stab in the eye. REALLY?

Get a life. Practice humanism. Love your neighbor. Walk a mile in their shoes. What ever. This is a dumb thread that is bringing out the worst in people.

Golddust, your points are valid. I tend to think of myself as a stickler for proper grammar and punctuation, but no sooner do I start putting myself up on a pedestal of propriety, than I start making mistakes myself. We're human. It happens. I will say that a couple of the most brilliant minds I've known have not had a penchant for spelling and aren't always grammatically correct. That doesn't make them any less brilliant. We all bring a variety of gifts/strong points to the table, and instead of focusing on mistakes, perhaps we'd all be wise to focus on what makes us each valuable contributors.

I don't really care about how people spell or punctuate on a forum such as this...I agree with golddust, although I try to proofread my own posts.

However, I do feel strongly about professional writing, book and newspaper editing, public signs, etc. I recently winced each time I drove past a sign on a local furniture store where they were advertising dinning room sets. By the time I would arrive home, I'd forget to call them. Apparently someone else did, as it was corrected after 2 or 3 days.

Haven't read the entire thread...(saving that for later) but my current pet peeve is loose and lose. One looses the hounds. One LOSES one's mind.

LOVE the Oxford Comma poster. I'm going to have to yoink that...

I pretty much agree with all the above posters who have made comments on the reasons this is NOT a friendly or necessary post for a *friendly* forum. Merry Christmas.

And then there's confusing warranty, a noun, with guarantee, a verb.

"I warrantee it," or "It comes with a five year warrantee."

Should be, "I warrant it," or use guarantee instead of warrant. The second should be, "It comes with a five year warranty."

YOU KNOW, IF I ALWAYS TYPED MY POSTS LIKE THIS, IN ALL CAPS, I WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE POINTING OUT THAT IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE YELLING ON THE INTERNET.

I would not be offended by someone gently educating me, especially if I wasn't singled out.

It would be rude if someone were to say "Hey dumba$$! Did you just fall off the turnip truck? Didn't you know that it's extremely rude to post in all caps?"

However, if someone started a thread such as "How to avoid common internet etiquette errors" I would consider it a service. And that is the spirit in which I started this thread.

Oh Terri - you have me laughing!!

Honestly, I interpreted this to be a lighthearted post - a reminder - of something that bothers some. It's become way to serious. I see your points Goldie, but I really did not perceive anyone to be snobbish. Of course, that's how I interpreted it!!

tina

And that is the spirit in which I started this thread.

Why was it necessary to revive it two months later? Why not email the offender instead?

I, for one, was not trying to be snobbish. I make plenty of grammatical errors. And, I would not single out a single person here or anywhere else as some suggest. And, this really has nothing to do with education level. This is not something learned in high school, college or grad school. So, it also has nothing to do with that.

I took this post the way tina intended it -- lighthearted. It seemed to me it was on the 1st go 'round. On the 2nd, it wasn't taken that way.

Sorry if I've offended. It wasn't my intention.

I think the one who needs to see this just doesn't realize. I am trying to be more tolerant!! HA!

Hmmm, seems to fit the label if you ask me.

Why was it necessary to revive it two months later? Why not email the offender instead?

Sorry, I was just grumpy the other day.

And I did say that I sorry that I brought it back.

Please - Christmas is just a couple of days away. In the spirit of this season of peace, let's not continue to antagonize! Just let this thread fade away, as have so many others before it.

Yes, Let us work towards Whirled Peas!

And

I'm all for that!

Terri - I'm gonna wet my pants if you don't quit making me laugh!

Well, I'm the one who likened incorrect apostrophe placement to a "stab in the eye." That's my private little hell due to my profession. I have been an editor for 30 years, and the error simply grates upon me. I revealed my personal response to the issue to say "isn't that interesting," but certainly not "look what you inflict upon me." Some have stated the issue is important to them; others have stated that it is not. I weighed in.

I'm sorry (and surprised) that anyone took my response to be an indictment along the lines of class and education. Who knew what a fever a discussion about language could induce?

I thought about this thread when I sent this email to my sil.

What is Nick's girlfriend's daughter's name?

I originally had What's Nick's girlfriend's daughter's name? and it felt so wrong.

Someone help me! Was either one correct?

(btw, her name is Adrina and she is an adorable 6 year old:))

Terri, I almost "pead" in my pants....

:-)

Sorry, but I can't stop myself:

give peas a chance

Oh, how adorable. I love these little Peas! That's the spirit!

Peas on earth, good will to all human beans!

Read this somewhere...

"Grammar is important. Capitalization is the difference of helpiing Uncle Jack off a horse and helping uncle jack off a horse."

Oops! Did I just say that??? In that case I could care less about an apostrophe!

Oh . . .this is a great thread. I can't help but wonder how people have gotten through life missing some basic grammar/punctuation/capitalization skills. This age of texting is not helping!

LOL, olliesmom!

I' m glad you care enough to have started this thread in the first place, terriks, and to have bumped it back up. I have no idea why some people got so crabby about it, and I wish they hadn't. It's a great topic. Thank you.

"Who knew what a fever a discussion about language could induce?"

I did, but I didn't think it would do so here. Remember the history of English? Introducing texts in the vernacular? The King's English? I could go on and on and on.

Now I'm paranoid to even write anything. lol. My first thought is that one person is the offending party and this is T's way of trying to get their attention. Unless many are doing it to the point it's driving T nuts!

So I'm paranoid enough to wonder if I'm the offending party? lol.

I'm on the PC right now but since I'm addicted to my new iPad, there WILL be many errors because I haven't figured much out. Just a fair warning.

Another thought which I mentioned earlier. What about people who know more than one language? It's easy to get confused when writing, IMO.

Oakley, relax! Who knows who the "offending party" is! Each of us is the "offending party" from time to time, because no one is perfect.

At the end of the day, Communication is what this board is about, flawed though it may be. Be yourself and express yourself honestly, and all will be well.

Some of you should be ...

Oakley - I'm sure there is more than one who overuses the apostrophe, just take a look at what Terri posted and maybe it will help you. I know I make spelling and grammatical errors and those errors probably drive others batty. We each have our own pet peeves. Just take it as constructive criticism and realize we all make mistakes.

tina

Well put, stinky-g. Oakley, we'd miss you if stopped posting. You're the cornerstone of the conversations side.

I'm sure there were plenty who were paranoid! Oakley just said it first!

But, at the end of the day, I'm not going to worry about if someone picks apart my writing. I admit, I'm not that great at it. I haven't worked or have had to use it in YEARS, and I feel I have lost some of the writing skills I had been taught in school. That's my excuse anyway! HA!

I have a 10th grade education. My parents had about the same. I have worked hard to make sure my children had opportunities I did not. I'm proud of that. Very proud. My youngest son speaks Arabic and is my crowning glory! He has gone places I never even dreamed of.

I grew up with the dialect my parents spoke. They were raised by uneducated farmers. My grandmother was an American Indian. Uneducated but intelligent. That is my story.

I was raised to feel equal and I do. I am happy for others opportunities. I am thrilled at my own ability to thrive. I don't worry much about what I can't do as well as the next. I step up with who I am, thinking I can't be the only one.

I speak/write different from my parents (better) but still different/worse than most. I'm not easily intimidated. I have close friends from all walks of life. My knowledge is different, not less. I think I have managed my life well.

"I am who I am." [Bugs Bunny]

(This post was writen on my iPhone and I have giant hands. I hope my typos didn't kill anyone.)

I was going to stay out of this since I clearly offended some, but olliesmom reminded me of a point I wanted to make.

I do not equate the correct use of an apostrophe with writing skill. I have terrible writing skills. I am not a good writer. To me a good writer is someone that can tell a wonderful story that captivates the reader, or take a complicated matter and explain it so it's understandable to the rest of us. In my opinion, this is a very special skill that very few have. And it's not a skill one needs to post on forums.

To me the correct use of an apostrophe is the equivalent of knowing to use a period at the end of a sentence. And a capital letter to start a sentence. That kind of thing. Leaving out periods in posts/emails/texts has also become common and IMO makes it hard to read.

If I've offended anyone, I'm sorry :-)

We all write conversationally here, which is just fine for this informal gathering place. I agree with jillinnj, though, that leaving out basic punctuation makes posts hard to read. Those little visual cues have a big impact.

I just find grammar & the use of language interesting. So does my husband, and so does my son who worked as a copy editor for his community college paper. We also love puns, word play, and great writing in general (we give each other books a lot). This love of language was fostered by public schools & working class/immigrant parents, so please don't make assumptions about status. Grammar's merely an interest, not a badge of anything.

And I don't go over people's posts with a fine tooth comb looking for mistakes, even if plural's do make me wince.

"This post was writen on my iPhone and I have giant hands. I hope my typos didn't kill anyone.)"

Snort!! hahaha

Golddust, I love what you wrote! It is so true! Common sense and drive is so important in life. You come across as one smart lady and I would have never guessed you just had a 10th grade education. You are a perfect example of a well-rounded person, and I would love to have half of what you have. You are one poster I learn a lot from in many areas.

I have a neighbor who is an English Professor at Oklahoma University, who I am sure can put my writing skills to shame, but he has to be the most *dumbest* (yes, I said it!) guy I have ever met! He has no common sense! No daily common sense whatsoever! So, I certainly don't equate intelligence with how educated you are. Although, it helps to have both.

Well, I went to farm schools and became a teacher. Along the way, I was sometimes embarrassed to have my grammar occasionally corrected. However, when it happened I learned from the experience. Those doing the correcting, weren't doing it to be mean, they were just showing me the correct way. I'm happy they did. I don't pretend to type error free - sometimes I make errors on purpose for effect. Sometimes I just don't know any better. Doesn't mean we should throw out the rules.

If world peas means never correcting our mistakes, I think we're in trouble.

Well said, O'smom.

Awm03, I hear and appreciate what you are saying. I recognize that grammar for many is an interesting topic and one that is worthy of lengthy conversation and examination. Therefore, it makes sense that a thread started about apostrophe use would be exciting for many, and would invite participation that included further exploration of the subject of proper grammar usage.

So for you and many, the conversation was not about being critical, nit-picky or snobbish, but instead was about looking at a subject you find compelling with other like-minded individuals.

I do also see the need (as you seem to agree) for the views expressed by Natal, Marlene, O'smom, Lukki, and Golddust to be voiced. Since we communicate here through writing, it easy to "accidentally" send a message that may intimidate some when the topic at hand is "proper grammar usage!"

Having said that, I certainly don't think intimidation or snobbery was Terrik's intention at all, or anyone else's for that matter. But right beside the banter and analysis of grammar, the conversation needed to be balanced with notes to be mindful of the tone and intentions used in the discussion, imo.

IRL, someone remarked how "some people" use their hands to talk too much. I sat on my hands during the rest of the visit, as I felt really self-conscious after that. Maybe I wasn't the person this lady had in mind,but I couldn't help myself. All of a sudden my hands, and where they were, were all I could think about!

Although I disagree with Oprah on many things, I whole heartedly agree with her saying, "When you know better, you have to do better." I think we are all striving toward that goal in some area of our lives.

I have learned so much from people here, great recipes, decorating ideas, excercise videos, etc. I have also learned how to post pictures, how to use HTML to make my words in italics and bold, which in turn help me communicate better. I'm sorry that my lighthearted lesson in spostrophe use felt like an attack or made anyone feel uncomfortable.

No problem, Terriks. I love you all. I love how we each speak our minds. The group of people who post here is (are?) awesome.

Tina I'm sorry but that last post of yours to Oakley is just soooo condescending.

Terriks, I don't think ANYone thinks you started this thread to be nasty. Did you see what I wrote? I can't speak for everyone, but I think this ended up being a thread that opened the door for a lot of views to be discussed. That may not have been your intention either, but you actually provided a "forum" for varied ideas on the subject to get expressed out in the open. Don't you think?

I think you handled all put forth here with grace and humor...loved the peas!

Btw, should I say "Terriks' intentions," since your name ends in "s"? I think so...LOL!

Terri, what Stinky said.....

..and...you are a very nice person even if you are responsible for my hooping addiction.....

Happy Holidays!

I have a 10th grade education too. My husband is trilangual, has 2 advanced degrees, one in English (though it's his second language) and one in Physics and currently, he's in school for programming. He's the smartest person I know and yet he comes to me for advise. Go figure! He says that he may be smart but I'm the wise one. I say we balance each other out.

My point is, education comes in all different forms and the opportunities available to each of us may differ but that doesn't make one any less intelligent than the other. I am always so impressed with the wide and diverse thinking that is shared here. EVERYONE brings something unique and worth reading to this forum and that's what makes it special. Just because someones' punctuation isn't on par is really no indication of what they have to bring to the table.

This thread has been a reminder to me that even with the little things, tolerance is key.

you are a very nice person even if you are responsible for my hooping addiction.....

I can't think of anything better to be hooked on! I'm glad that you are still hooping it up! I am, and I have my eye on a "pocket hoop" from Troo Hoops. It's a hoop that comes apart in 8 sections to be carried easily anywhere.

When others try to feel superior to others by pointing out their grammatical errors on a public forum, of course it will make some people feel self conscious. Just another reason why people should not overate their importance on this forum and realize it is for the public and is not their personal forum. Merry Christmas!!

Wow H. Sorry you feel that way. It's not the way I took this thread at all. Wishing you some peas and understanding.