Constantly angry over grammatical errors by others

Post Reply New Topic

Yes!! ! Oh goody! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

My teachers scowl at me when I correct their grammar. Bad grammar annoys me so much, I chose to do an investigation into it for my A-level coursework.

The split infinitive is the bane of my life...

I find it annoying, but I do my best to ignore it, unless it's very blatant. That's what gets me into that snarky mood.

I think it depends on two factors: frequency and context. If someone is on Facebook and they make a spelling error, I will notice, maybe make a little noise and then move on. If, however, they write lYk DiZ with complete and gleeful disregard for the conventions of the English language I become more judgemental than I need to be.

I also am much less tolerant the more formal the context is. I once did a college subject (horrible, horrible subject, incidentally - all about getting in touch with your feelings), in which the textbook was full of spelling errors. You would think someone was paid to screen those things out, right? I was actually borrowing the textbook from a friend who'd already done the subject. When I saw that he had corrected some of the spelling errors with pen, I was so proud of him!

I never mention to anyone that their spelling sucks, but I tend to avoid people that write short stuff like "how r u, thx" et cetera.

But typos don't annoy me - sometimes I don't even notice it.

Same deal here. I find it's easier on me just to ignore it than to try to be the world's editor/eraser. Of course, the occasional snarky, passive-aggressive meme making light of your/you're usage is not out of the question.

I don't think it is possible to become "too judgemental" when people write that badly except when they have serious mental problems that has robbed their capacity to do better.

When I was younger it bothered me a lot and I found myself correcting people often; but as you noted, no one appreciates it. It is not seen as a helpful gesture, but as an obtrusive, condescending, patronizing action by most; which alienates those of us who do it from those we intend to help.

For me, I began a process of changing the "outer-me" to do my best to mirror who ever I was with at the time (learned about it from a sales book, no less!) This meant no longer doing that, no longer speaking in textbook sterile language, and forcing myself to learn to look people in the eye (and note when they blink, to remind myself to do the same.)

I know it is just a mask, but it is a mask that allows me to fit in a little bit better, and when I fit in a little bit better, then I feel better about myself after having been around people.

(and now I am terrible about allowing typos to slip through without any hint of conscience getting in the way )

ditto. I do hate that too.

Grammatical errors are merely the thin end of the wedge. They are a symptom of the much bigger malaise that is "not doing things well in order to not stand out".
I have a reverse example of being corrected on grammar (it was actually on pronunciation, but that's in the same ballpark). During a trivial conversation with a co-worker, I made reference to the disinfectant called Dettol. The co-worker was horrified because I actually pronounced the t's! He insisted it should be "De'ol"! He didn't articulate himself very well, but he intimated that I was too "posh". The fact that I might do or say anything "properly" was unfathomable to him. Sadly I have come across this attitude many times.