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by .avallach on May 22nd, 2007

.avallach

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On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being most, how annoyed do you get by people who can't be bothered to use decent grammar and spelling in their questions in order to make themselves understood? Does it make a difference if they're not native English speakers?

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Answers. 13 helpful answers below.

  • by Client10 on July 2nd, 2008

    Client10

    On a scale of 1-10? 7.5

    I am annoyed, but I know it isn't the end of the world.

    It makes no difference whether they are native speakers or not (well, in grammar it does).

    Non-native speakers could purchase a dictionary for spelling...Or use spell check.

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  • by unknown on May 22nd, 2007

    unknown

    6 if I can't understand the question, 8 if they get offended if someone suggests that they rephrase it to make it easier to understand and 4 otherwise.

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  • by Mr. Meaulnes on May 22nd, 2007

    Mr. Meaulnes

    7.
    On the one hand, it is rather annoying when someone clearly makes very little effort to use proper spelling and grammar when they're communicating with others, but as long as it's apparent that they're at least trying, and as long as you can understand the question, I don't think it matters too much.

    And yes, I'd say it matters a little if English isn't they're native tongue, because that would imply to me that they probably aren't quite as coversant in English spelling and grammar as a native speaker would be, and that's not their fault, so I'd say they deserve a little slack in that department.

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  • by mekare on May 22nd, 2007

    mekare

    9 most of the time. if i had to read the question several times to try to figure out what they mean then its beyond a 10. if english is not their native language i can forgive it.

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  • by theredbaron on May 22nd, 2007

    theredbaron

    9 -- we all make typos, but I have a hard time especially when people use text messaging abbreviations. It's not that hard to use vocabulary that explains what you're truly trying to ask/say.

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  • by Constel on May 22nd, 2007

    Constel

    10, could they use a better english? i'm not english native, and i have a good english... (for a 13 years old...)

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  • by staffie on May 22nd, 2007

    staffie

    0 because i dont think it matters aslong as you can read the answer or question

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  • by Galeanda on July 10th, 2008

    Galeanda

    If I know they are having trouble with English, it's only about a 1-2. If it's someone who misspells some words because they don't know better maybe a 4-5. But if it's someone who I feel might just be lazy and in a hurry, not paying attention or even trying to spell, or doming that text language, it shoots up to an 8-9. But me being annoyed isn't like other people's annoyed I bet. I'm a very tolerant person, no angry fits or DRing from me.

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  • by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on July 5th, 2008

    This Daley has a new bundle of joy

    7 to 8.

    Yes, if it is obvious that English is not his/her first language, I think it is understandable.

    Also, sometimes it is obvioous the asker is using translation software.

    Mistakes don't bother me. Blatant laziness, ignorance and the notion that "this is the way people talk" really annoys me.

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  • by Lemonyellow Di Vintage on May 22nd, 2007

    Lemonyellow Di Vintage

    2

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  • by Dean Harris on July 5th, 2008

    Dean Harris

    10 - People who don't know the difference between borrow, borrowed, lend & lent. IE Borrow me your pencil? It's excruciating!

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  • by BigDaddyBS on July 10th, 2008

    BigDaddyBS

    Probably around 4.5. It bothered me to start with, but the more I ABed, the more I realized we have kids, people who never really LEARNED how to type or decent English, and people who do NOT speak or write English as their first language. (On some, I can almost hear the accent! ;-) )

    While I don't like when the majority of the question is in text-speak, if I can understand it, I don't really have THAT much of a problem with it. (With the proliferation of hand-held devices, it becomes more and more likely that more text-speak questions will appear. Again, as long as I understand it, it doesn't bother me TOO much.)

    HOWEVER, the vast majority of users are on a laptop, home, or office computer, where they would NORMALLY write ANYTHING in full-fledged English (or whatever their native language is). So, except for a few SMALL abbreviations for phrases (ie: WTF, LMAO, LOL, IMO, etc.) I see NO reason for text-speaking. (Look at it as practice to type our your resume!... Your business letters!... Your homework... Whatever.)

    THAT said, since a fair percentage of people on AB ARE from foreign countries, AND that there are many who make typos a LOT (I don't claim not to - There are NUMEROUS examples of mine out there! LOL), I try to give everyone a break on spelling, grammar, etc. I DO try to "gently" correct them - pointing out the errors - but have lately been seeing more and more "Not another one of the grammar Nazis" as replies to this. (These I don't WANT to uprate, but I feel if I read the question well enough to answer it, I should...)

    The other thing EVERYONE needs to remember is AB is not only world-wide, but EVERY question and answer is available for others to read through Google, and other search engines. If you text-speak or use "broken English", it will be MUCH harder for those Q/As to be found by others with the same problem. ;-)

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  • by Snooch on July 2nd, 2008

    Snooch

    0 for how annoyed I get with those not good at grammar and spelling but I am a 10 when it comes to those who have such a problem with those who are not good at spelling and such.

    If their meaning gets lost in their lack of spelling or grammar skills.. how about a little more patience in understanding?
    Better yet.. how about moving on to a question you can understand without stopping to pee on their day?

    What is the point of picking on ANYONE? If they have a weakness, you think they are not aware of it?? Most are and most want to improve but there is a more positive way of doing it rather than pointing out their flaws.
    Lead by example. Show them the correct spelling and use of grammar in your own posts without going out of your way to address their weaknesses.

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More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being most, how annoyed do you get by people who can't be bothered to use decent grammar and spelling in their questions in order to make themselves understood? Does it make a difference if they're not native English speakers? - which can also be phrased in the following ways:

  • How do you feel about people who can't spell or use proper grammar? Not the small things like an incorrectly placed apostrophe, but large, noticeable mistakes.

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