Please use English!

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commercialtransfer1

  • #1
    I am not particularly good at spelling or grammar, but I do use spell check and try to put in some punctuation now and again!

    On occassions its not just spelling but the whole meaning of the message is left to the reader to guess or fill in themselves to make any sense of it.

    This trend seems to be on the increase and is now present on main websites,newspapers, government reports and many documents.

    Also the 'politically correct' adaptations makes a nonsense of the language.
    For example I have just read an advertisement for 'a new Chair' Well I sincerely hope its a comfortable seat!

    RANT OVER:)
     
    debbidoo

    debbidoo

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  • #10
    leemason said:
    Yes, there are some very annoying trends around in English usage. I have some pet hates myself such as people who use "like" where it shouldn't be or people who start every sentence with the word "so".
    Click to expand...


    Eek. I'm guilty of both of those 'sins' :eek:

    I try to avoid using them in a business context though, obviously :D

    My pet hates include their/they're/there confusion, your/you're confusion, and then/than confusion. Using 'alot' or 'allot' instead of 'a lot'. Using 'everyday' instead of 'every day'. Misuse of apostrophes makes my blood boil. Oh, too many to mention really. I could do this all day :)
     
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    Rookery

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  • #13
    It's difficult for many people to use proper english when they have been a product of our 'comprehensive education' system. That and their propensity to watch american telly programmes and text constantly. Apart from using 'like' in every sentence, the greatest source of my anger currently is the phrase "can I get........."? instead of may I have......."? in shops. It makes me want to explode with rage. I'm tempted to say "no you cant get it, you aren't allowed behind the counter". When I hear David Beckham being interviewed, I count how many times he says "ya know". It's lots. Amusing but also depressing.
     
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    Jeff FV

    Jeff FV

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  • #16
    And this magazine cover has a whole different meaning, by omitting (I think!) "for" or some commas and a colon:

    EatRayLoveFAIL.jpg
     
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    D

    Dawg

  • #17
    Well I love them. Like the cracked they can let in the truth. A selection:

    direst response marketing triumphs

    I suppose it's an admiral but misplaced action.

    And the anacronym is really good too!!

    Your assumption is holy in-accurate.

    Extreme thoughts does not show that the person is quite cleaver!

    if you have any spasific questions please let me know

    I love our country sides on a summers day

    In this instance I think price takes president over quality

    I will certainly take on bored your advice

    to knock the wind out of someone's sales!

    the self asses for everything else

    its a mindfield of information on here

    there were lots of little indiscrepancies.”

    A sauce of delight if you live in the middle of knowhere, as I do.
     
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    dedwardp

    dedwardp

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  • #23
    leemason said:
    Yes, there are some very annoying trends around in English usage. I have some pet hates myself such as people who use "like" where it shouldn't be or people who start every sentence with the word "so".
    Click to expand...

    The one that annoys me is when people say that they've "brought" something when they ought to have said "bought". Drives me mad.
     
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    Rainbow Chasers'

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  • #25
    I agree, there are terms used that can be quite annoying. But I do tend to exercise tolerance.

    For one, I don't keep my head anywhere near my rear end. I accept people for who they are and as long as I can understand what they are saying, that is good enough for me. I am of the opinion, that pedantry is a sign of insecurity. The more you push a pedant, the more this becomes apparent. Try it, it's a great sport! You would be quite astounded how their language standards drop.

    I also do not hold anything against foreign businessmen. The fact they have taken the time and effort to learn a difficult language shows a degree of commitment. It may not be perfect, they are learning. As long as I can understand what they are trying to convey, then the job has been completed - regardless of accuracy.

    I also welcome anyone in business. I do not care if they have a poor education, suffer from dyslexia or any other form of 'barrier' that is placed on their path to earning a living. In my mind, they have more respect than those that take a course, and think they know everything when in truth they know very little. Someone who has climbed up from the bottom, deserves credit - I don't care if he puts a commer in the wrong place, or suffers bad spelling. I would rather he concentrate on doing business successfully, than be able to spell 'Bankrupt'

    Journalists do have a 'duty' to ensure grammer is correct when printing word. Other than that, I do not care!
     
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    the_agx

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  • #26
    so I hav no Idea, Why U R All So Up-tight About Other's Spell. Its THERE decision. Very much so, it is. It is better then not corry sponding With u attall, right? Everyday, allot of poeple are disgrimenated agenst coz of how they spelle. I try not to make mistakes.

    I even tried to buy a dicshenery, but when I aksed the staff: "can I get one of those", they said I cant take the display modle, and, that none were left in stoque, round the, back.

    So my point is, stop being a bunch of jerkoffs, and co-sign what I'm saying!
     
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    L

    leemason

  • #34
    sphynx said:
    My pet hate I've been told is really snobby, H being pronouced as 'haych'. Is this snobby people?!!
    Click to expand...

    That that's annoying to me too. But there are so many things that annoy me so that's just another one to add to the list.

    It's amazing how many supposedly educated people don't understand how 'aitch' is used in English (for example "a hotel" as compared to "an hotel").
     
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    spencergate

    spencergate

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  • #35
    I get VERY het up about folk who can't spell the word that is used to describe paper and writing products - that is the word "stationery" - it's stationEry (with an E for envelope).

    Just take a look on ebay, or google for suppliers, and see how many people who sell the stuff can't actually spell it correctly.

    And for anyone who says "does it matter that much?" - yes it does. A stationery delivery van is very different from a stationary delivery van.
     
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    Jeff FV

    Jeff FV

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  • #36
    spencergate said:
    I get VERY het up about folk who can't spell the word that is used to describe paper and writing products - that is the word "stationery" - it's stationEry (with an E for envelope).

    Just take a look on ebay, or google for suppliers, and see how many people who sell the stuff can't actually spell it correctly.

    And for anyone who says "does it matter that much?" - yes it does. A stationery delivery van is very different from a stationary delivery van.
    Click to expand...

    He's a great little video to help people remember that one:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CkBdpJ1PLg

    Jeff
     
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