The Official Grammar Thread

[35th-ANV-SS]

They're/there/their

They're: This is a contraction of the words they and are. It can never be used as a modifier, only as a subject (who or what does the action) and verb (the action itself).

Examples:
1 - Hurry up! They're closing the mall at six tonight!
2 - I'm glad that they're so nice to new students here.
3 - They're breaking the rules!

There: Use there when referring to a place, whether concrete (over there by the building) or more abstract (it must be difficult to live there). Also use there with the verb "be" (is, am, are, was, were) to indicate the existence of something, or to mention something for the first time.

Examples:
1 - There is an antique store on Main Street.
2 - The science textbooks are over there on the floor.
3 - There are many documents that are used in investigations.
4 - There is a picnic area over here, and a campground across the river.
5 - I see there are new flowers coming up in your garden. Yes, they're the ones my grandmother gave me last year.

Their: Use their to indicate possession. It is a possessive adjective and indicates that a particular noun belongs to them.

Examples:
1 - My friends have lost their tickets.
2 - Their things were strewn about the office haphazardly
3 - I love their new car.
4 - I have a Pit Bull, but their Pit Bull is larger than mine.

Too/To/Two
To is a preposition; too is an adverb; two is a number.

Examples:
1 - Too many of your shots slice to the left, but the last two were right on the mark.
2 - During my camping trip this weekend I saw two deer.
3 - I went to a NFL game last year.
4 - I like the color of that car too.

Then/Than
Than is a conjunction used in comparisons; then is an adverb denoting time.

Examples:
1 - That pizza is more than I can eat.
2 - Tom laughed, and then we recognized him.

Accept/Except
Accept is a verb meaning to receive. Except is usually a preposition meaning excluding. Except is also a verb meaning to exclude.

Examples:
1 - I will accept all the packages except that one.
2 - Please except that item from the list.

Affect/Effect
Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. Effect is usually a noun meaning result. The drug did not affect the disease, and it had several adverse side effects. Effect can also be a verb meaning to bring about. Only the president can effect such a dramatic change.

Capitol/Capital
Capital refers to a city, capitol to a building where lawmakers meet. Capital also refers to wealth or resources.
The capitol has undergone extensive renovations. The residents of the state capital protested the development plans.

Your/You're:
Your is a possessive pronoun; you're is a contraction of you are. You're going to catch a cold if you don't wear your coat.

A lot is two words, not one. Spelling it as "alot" is incorrect and is not a word.

I do not consider myself a grammar expert, but I do consider myself fairly intelligent and a somewhat good writer. Over the years I have seen more and more people misusing common words more often than not. Why is it so difficult to understand the language you speak? Have people gotten that lazy, or are people in today's society less educated than in years past?

Is text messaging to blame?

Discuss.

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

Their we go finally someone posted about this. Nothing bugs me more then when people use bad grammar when there posting....glad to know you think so two. I think a lot of it has too do with basic grammar being taught in grade school..so you either picked up up or you didn't. I can't remember any english class in high school or college teaching this concept.

[35th-ANV-SS]

Their (Should be "there") we go finally someone posted about this. Nothing bugs me more then (should be "than") when people use bad grammar when there (should be "they're) posting....glad to know you think so two (should be "too"). I think a lot of it has too (should be "to") do with basic grammar being taught in grade school..so you either picked up up or you didn't. I can't remember any english (English should be capitalized) class in high school or college teaching this concept.

I'm not sure if you're testing me or not, but you misused several words in your post.

[az gt eater]

I'm not sure if you're testing me or not, but you misused several words in your post.

Easy Jon, of course he is testing you. I am with the other 99% of memebers on here that can't stand some of the posts. Most have a grammatical error or two, no big deal. But, the huge run on sentences with no punctuation reminds me of the youngest girl in my house. I call her "and then". Because where there should be periods and pauses, there is an "and then". UGGHH. Drives me insane.

[az gt eater]

And I use text messaging to check my spelling on some words before I post here. Sounds stupid I know, but it works. And, I text in complete sentences. Predictive swyping helps considerably. I actually sometimes wait for my computer to fill in the words as I type. In vain, of course.

[Smittro]

This is by far my favorite thread..

[35th-ANV-SS]

I certainly appreciate good grammar. I make mistakes too. Everyone misuses a word here and there. Everyone also misspells a word here and there. However, I see this sort of thing daily. It's not just on this site, but everywhere. This includes published books, articles, and even the newspaper. How can this be? These are supposed to be published documents that are reviewed by "experts". Facebook posts are the worst of any I've ever seen.

I have talked to friends about this in the past and their response was alarming. They stated that they didn't care. I was pretty stunned and saddened by their response.

In my field I write technical documents. With my new job I write weekly call reports which I send to everyone in the company. This includes the owner. Could you imagine if I had an obvious grammar error in my call report? It would be highly frowned upon. Everyone should take pride in how they present themselves. This should include how you write the language you speak.

I, like you, also proof-read almost anything I write. It's just habit and I like to portray myself as intelligent, even if I am not

[35th-ANV-SS]

This is by far my favorite thread..

I have dumped females who were extremely hot because I could not stand how stupid they came across through their words. Call me an asshole, but this really bothers me

[35th-ANV-SS]

the huge run on sentences with no punctuation

Yes, this is by far the worst of all of them. I refuse to read those posts unless it's someone I personally know and want to help.

[Smittro]

I'll be the first to admit I suck when it comes to grammar and spelling.

The thing that bothers me more than grammar is when people can't manage simple mathematics.

When people for example can't speak a number with more than 3 digits without adding, "and" to the figure.

Example: One hundred twenty, instead say, "one hundred AND twenty".

The "and" denotes a decimal in simple mathematics.

[Smittro]

My personal favorite is when they can't even pronounce a 6 digit number, nor read a tape measure.

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

I only pay attention to grammar when I'm not in a hurry for posting or if it is my own thread. But yeah, we have a local TV station with a iPhone app that always has bad grammar and spelling in their stories. The proper use of a/an is the biggest grammar peeve of mine.

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

I'm not sure if you're testing me or not, but you misused several words in your post.

In reality bad grammar on forums doesn't bother me but I admit that getting the basics wrong can be distracting. I wouldn't correct them in real life because I couldn't care less so I don't do it here. I don't tell fat people to lose weight either unless i'm dating one.

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

This make me think of the no spaces thread we had on here a long time ago

[35th-ANV-SS]

Yes, a/an is another one that is misused widely.

Some others I thought of:

Know/No

Assure/Insure/Ensure

Farther/Further

Loose/Lose

Weather/Whether

[TLS_Addict]

Dood, WTFs goin' on da hizzous!

[35th-ANV-SS]

Walking Dead is starting. I will return later.

[TLS_Addict]

Yeah but its last weeks show first.

[35th-ANV-SS]

I know, Dan. I am making dinner now.

[TLS_Addict]

You said you were watching The Walking Dead and your story changed to making dinner. Next you will say that you are doing laundry.

I dont even know you anymore.......