Your and you're, its and it's

[julianh72 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by csb

I have often wondered what is the use of certain grammatical marks and conventions.

Using a capital at the start of a sentence is superfluous. There is a full stop AND a space at the end of the previous sentence. Do we really need three alerts to show a new sentence has started.

i have often wondered what is the use of certain grammatical marks and conventions. using a capital at the start of a sentence is superfluous. there is a full stop and a space at the end of the previous sentence. do we really need three alerts to show a new sentence has started.

Which version is quicker and easier to process when you read it?

Grammar, punctuation and spelling conventions are there to aid readability and comprehension (even if the rules do seem a bit arbitrary and even contradictory at times).

i shddr evry tym sum1 snds me an email in unpnctuatd txt-speek and xpcts me to undrstnd wot they r syng!

[Huey (Michael)]

...... and then there is their and there.
But what I think is happening is the widespread use of texting. Students and some teachers often use "texting language" in their work and consequently many students think it is acceptable. Furthermore, in some faculties you can correct the mistakes but are not allowed to deduct marks for poor spelling and grammar. This achieves nothing more than perpetuating the problems this thread is about.
In addition, you can also see misspellings more frequently in television and don't get me started on Americanisms that slowly creep into the language. That can be another thread

Just my thoughts. Clear skies
Huey

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Atmos

Grammar Nazi on the loose!

Hope you have your (note that) tongue in your (aha, another one) cheek.

If not that makes you an illiteracy Nazi.

Only half-joking too

Geoff

[bugeater (Marty)]

While I personally hate it when people mix up homophones, it's worth remembering that languages evolve over time. Too many seem to think language should remain static.

[csb (Craig)]

Oh, readability! Thanks Julian, that is quite true. And flair was mentioned which also helps us to enjoy what we read.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by bugeater

While I personally hate it when people mix up homophones,...

Yeah I hate it too, that's why I like to label each of our phones, 'kitchen', 'lounge', 'bedroom' and 'hallway'.
Each goes back onto its own basestation.

[gary]

Originally Posted by Geoff45

Grammar 101
1. Your book (ownership)
2. You're taking images (you're=you are)

Clearly it's a problem that starts with our educators and sets back the brightest of students.

The teacher walks into the room and says, "Open you're books" instead of "Open your books".

The bright kids with a complete grasp of grammar sit there dumbfounded as to what was just said.

The grammatically ignorant open their books.

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

But they sound the same when spoken!

[MortonH]

I'm battling with my 7-year-old daughter to stop her using an apostrophe in plurals. She claims her school teachers don't write it but where else would she be picking it up from?

Misuse of apostrophes was almost non-existent a few years ago. Now hardly anyone seems to get it right. How did this happen?

eyepieces not eyepiece's
skies not sky's
etc

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by gary

The teacher walks into the room and says, "Open you're books" instead of "Open your books".

C'mon Gary, nowadays it's "open yooze bookz". Gotta say it the kool way.

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by MortonH

I'm battling with my 7-year-old daughter to stop her using an apostrophe in plurals. She claims her school teachers don't write it but where else would she be picking it up from?

Misuse of apostrophes was almost non-existent a few years ago. Now hardly anyone seems to get it right. How did this happen?

eyepieces not eyepiece's
skies not sky's
etc

The sky's revenge for not keeping your eyepiece's caps on are clouds. Clear skies and enjoy your eyepieces.
An apostrophe's purpose is often misunderstood.

[AndrewJ]

and then there is their and there.

And they'ren't the same

Andrew

[julianh72 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

And they'ren't the same

Andrew

I shouldn't've doubted whether "they'ren't" is a valid word.

Y'all'll be pleased to know that I just checked, and it's real. I sha'n't doubt your veracity again!

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by julianh72

I shouldn't've doubted whether "they'ren't" is a valid word.

Y'all'll be pleased to know that I just checked, and it's real. I sha'n't doubt your veracity again!

What happened to the rule that you can't have two apostrophes in a word? I'm sure I learned that at school.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Let's eat grandma.

Let's eat, grandma.

The man saw the boy with the telescope.

H

[Sconesbie (Scott)]

One that gets me is "could/would/should of" instead of "have". Even adults who should know better. I have even observed this in print media (large newspaper).

[Eden (Brett)]

Originally Posted by Octane

Let's eat grandma.

Let's eat, grandma.

The man saw the boy with the telescope.

H

Not to mention helping Grandpa Jack off his horse without the appropriate use of capital letters...

[AndrewJ]

What happened to the rule that you can't have two apostrophes in a word?

Lots of words now use double apostrophes
Shouldn't've is the one that most comes to mind ( Julian agrees :-) ).
I guess the rule of grammar club is that if a rule doesn't work,
make a special mnemonic up, then memorise the overrides.
ie I before E except after C
and then if that doesn't work, make a list of exceptions.
like "when the sound is E or A"

Andrew

[blink138 (Pat)]

[QUOTE=bugeater;1234546]While I personally hate it when people mix up homophones,

enough of that, please read IIS TOS! haha!
pat

[PCH (Paul)]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

What happened to the rule that you can't have two apostrophes in a word? I'm sure I learned that at school.

There's two in foc's'le meaning nautical forecastle at the front of a ship, and that's definitely valid