Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Pyro Pilots Lounge. For all topics *not* covered in other DBB forums.

Moderators: fliptw, roid

User avatar
Mobius
DBB_Master
DBB_Master
Posts: 7940
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2001 2:01 am
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Contact:

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Post by Mobius »

Or: Speling, Punch-you-asian, and gran'ma.

Yep, the DBB English-Nazi is here, and I'm not going away any time soon. So you should expect me to continue hauling you up whenever you're stupid enough to write the following:

Definatly instead of definitely
Your instead of you're
There instead of their

As well as many more besides.

Do you actually realise that poor spelling, punctuation and grammar basically consigns you to a $10/hour job for the rest of your life?

It says: I am lazy, stupid, and uneducated. It doesn't matter how smart you are, or what you have to say, because if you can't express yourself clearly in correct English then no one will take you seriously - EVER.

If you are genuinely dislexic (Like Warlock et al) then you have a very good excuse for not getting it right, and should prefix all your posts with the phrase:

Please excuse my poor English: I suffer from dyslexia

You can copy and paste it, so you don't try to spell "dyslexia" as "dailysex". ;)

You can sit in front of your PC all day long, and tell yourself a hundred times a day spelling, grammar and punctuation isn't important.

Let me reassure you this is not the case.

I am currently employing new 3 programmers for our company, and this is what I do:

Read the application letter. If I find a single spelling, usage, punctuation or grammatical error it goes straight in the bin, along with their 22 page Resume. These idiots don't even get a rejection letter.

The ones who pass this first test get put in the "possible" pile. I then take the first two pages of their CV, rip the rest off and throw them in the trash. If what I need to see is on the first two pages of the CV, they stay in the "possibles" pile.

If that first two pages is nothing but rubbish, or lists stuff they did 10 years ago... yep - you guessed it: in the bin.

Whoever remains in the possibles pile gets an interview.

To me, it doesn't matter WHAT they wrote in the application - I'm not even slightly interested in the content. Nor do I care how much is in their CV. Simply by supplying a single page CV (Printed on both sides), and an error free application they will guarantee themselves an interview.

When they arrive, I pretty much have decided within 2 minutes of meeting them whether they have a job with us or not. I don't care what people wear to an interview: as long as their clothes are clean, and they smell OK, and if they're male, have shaved.

I am not unusual in my hiring methods.

These jobs begin at $30 an hour, for 40 hours a week, with 4 weeks annual leave. Overtime is time-and-a-half.

So just keep on thinking your bad spelling doesn't matter, or that not putting an apostrophe in "don't" doesn't matter.

Your application will be filed under "R" for "rubbish". Thank You.
User avatar
dissent
DBB Fleet Admiral
DBB Fleet Admiral
Posts: 2162
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:17 pm
Location: Illinois

Post by dissent »

I wil sav you the truble. I dont think I wanna werk with u.
User avatar
roid
DBB Master
DBB Master
Posts: 9996
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2001 3:01 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Contact:

Post by roid »

Mobius. In your field of work I can understand why spelling is important. It's because when you are programming you are talking to a computer and computers don't know howto handle mistakes particularly well. Also because you must maintain a professional image of a robust company that strives to output nothing other than perfection itself into it's clients hands.

However if you are in a job where you need to deal with other people in a friendly manner, this is how I (your employer) would handle you as an employee:

Your inability to step outside of your elitist spelling bee mindset reflects poorly on your ability to think rationally on your feet while outside of your comfort zone. It also reflects badly on your ability to interact socially with other people, few people will have patience for your elitist attitude and as you are unwilling to bend and accept that other people have different values to you - you will not get along well with many people.
Mobius wrote:It doesn't matter how smart you are, or what you have to say, because if you can't express yourself clearly in correct English then no one will take you seriously - EVER.
Mobius, you have this completely backwards. Because you see, no-one here takes YOU seriously. You are the one in the minority here. Stop and let that sink in. You are the minority and you have a talent for getting on almost everyone's nerves. When you try to have us believe that a supposed MAJORITY of people out in the world are like you - we just laugh because we know otherwise.

As your employer i would keep in mind that other employees will have to treat you with kid gloves lest you be offended. With your rather autistic-like lack of tact and empathy you would go no-where near my human resources department. I would be very hesitant to let you come in contact with my clients - unless some of my clients were like you, in which case your otherwise offensive temperament would inspire the confidence of such a person.

You could be an asset. But you'd be on a very long probationary period to see if anyone pushed you out a window in your first month there, which given the way you get on everyone's nerves HERE, is an event more likely to happen with you than with the average employee.

Good day.
User avatar
fliptw
DBB DemiGod
DBB DemiGod
Posts: 6459
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 1998 2:01 am
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada

Post by fliptw »

I suggest we here by implement these filters:

definitely replaces Definatly
Yur replaces you're
Theer replaces There
Anal Nazi Hole replaces Mobius.

I give a damn about how I write, but I don't need to impose that on others.

And guess what, nobody imposes it on you, so don't need to do that to others.

If you can't hack that, Mobius - leave.
User avatar
roid
DBB Master
DBB Master
Posts: 9996
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2001 3:01 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Contact:

Post by roid »

btw Mobius, whenever someone else ironicly calls you out on some of YOUR incorrect spelling. you never reply.

what's with that hmm?
User avatar
Jeff250
DBB Master
DBB Master
Posts: 6539
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 1999 2:01 am
Location: ❄️❄️❄️

Post by Jeff250 »

Guess Who wrote:If you are genuinely dislexic...
"dyslexic"
User avatar
Jon the Great
DBB Captain
DBB Captain
Posts: 538
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 3:01 am
Location: California

Post by Jon the Great »

Hate it to break it to you mobius, but Roid's right.

That was a very lengthy post. Don't you have more important things to do than to complain about grammar? Find a hobby, one that's outdoors and away from the computer.
User avatar
Vindicator
DBB Benefactor
DBB Benefactor
Posts: 3166
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 3:01 am
Location: southern IL, USA
Contact:

Re: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Post by Vindicator »

Eat a dick Mobi. Youre an idiot if you think you're doing us a favor by trolling threads pointing out mistakes.

If I was an admin here, this thread = instant ban.
User avatar
Vertigo 99
DBB Fleet Admiral
DBB Fleet Admiral
Posts: 2684
Joined: Tue May 25, 1999 2:01 am
Location: Massachusetts
Contact:

Post by Vertigo 99 »

i wouldnt ban him for this thread, i WOULD lock the thread tho.

and he's an idiot if he thinks comparing spelling on an internet BB where only ONE person cares is analygous to the importance of spelling and presentation on something as professional as a resume.

oh, and sorry for any mistakes, mobi, i don't proof read my posts.
Flabby Chick
DBB Fleet Admiral
DBB Fleet Admiral
Posts: 2367
Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2001 2:01 am
Location: Israel

Re: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Post by Flabby Chick »

Mobius wrote:Yep... dislexic.... and "I am currently employing new 3 programmers for our company"
I'm sick of saying english is an evolving language so i won't say it again. Stick to your rules Mob', you've become a grumpy old man at 40. :wink:
User avatar
roid
DBB Master
DBB Master
Posts: 9996
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2001 3:01 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Contact:

Post by roid »

i'd rather this thread wasn't locked. I'd like some closure here, i'd like Mobius to respond.
User avatar
TheCope
DBB Captain
DBB Captain
Posts: 511
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 6:23 am
Location: mpls
Contact:

Post by TheCope »

You have a heightened sense of self-importance. I mean, I gotta brand new pair of roller skates you have a brand new key.

Go masturbate to sci-fi female laser warriors and shove blood burgers up your fat faces.

No, I'm sorry it's the <3 it's the <3.

:roll:
User avatar
Krom
DBB Database Master
DBB Database Master
Posts: 16138
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 1998 3:01 am
Location: Camping the energy center. BTW, did you know you can have up to 100 characters in this location box?
Contact:

Post by Krom »

Woot, go roid! :D
Kiran
DBB Captain
DBB Captain
Posts: 725
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:15 pm
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post by Kiran »

Do you correct people's grammar irl? :wink:
User avatar
Tricord
DBB Alumni
DBB Alumni
Posts: 3394
Joined: Thu Nov 05, 1998 12:01 pm

Post by Tricord »

I agree the importance of spelling and grammar is widely underestimated. I also think that people are stupid, and there isn't much we can do about that. So, while I observe the way people write for personal judgement (don't we all?), I don't care for bad spelling.
Dedman
DBB Material Defender
DBB Material Defender
Posts: 4513
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 2:01 am
Location: Atlanta

Re: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Post by Dedman »

Mobius wrote:Do you actually realise that poor spelling, punctuation and grammar basically consigns you to a $10/hour job for the rest of your life?
Do you actually realize what an astronomically incorrect statement that is?

While it may be that in NZ, knowledge, initiative, attitude, and hard work take a back seat to the ability to avoid a dangling participle or split infinitive; but I can assure you that in a lot of other countries it is the knowledge, initiative, attitude, and hard work that a person brings to the job that really matters.

Get over your self.
Mobius wrote: I am currently employing new 3 programmers for our company, and this is what I do:

Read the application letter. If I find a single spelling, usage, punctuation or grammatical error it goes straight in the bin, along with their 22 page Resume. These idiots don't even get a rejection letter.
If you actually do that, I would say that it is you who is the idiot. While spelling, punctuation, and gran'ma are important, they are not the end all be all. They are merely a means of sharing information in an agreed upon manner. It is the content of the information not the form that is most critical. In your pursuit of grammatical excellence, you may inadvertently overlook a more valuable candidate simple because he wrote there instead of their.

What a waste! The person who put you in charge of hiring people should be fired.

I know you are only trolling for crap. Well, you found some.
User avatar
WarAdvocat
DBB Defender
DBB Defender
Posts: 3035
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2002 2:01 am
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL USA

Post by WarAdvocat »

heh... Apparently, he wouldn't hire himself!

Flagged by MS Word Spellcheck:
"realise"
"dislexic"
"possibles" per dictionary.com: "No entry found for possibles." Per m-w.com: "The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary. Click on a spelling suggestion below or try again using the search box to the right."

See, the problem with perfectionism is, if you don't practice what you preach, people will climb about 30 yards up your arse to point it out. Take care that your standards aren't too high for you to live up to yourself.

As others have pointed out, many high-paying jobs do not have a grammar prerequisite. After all, every organization usually keeps a few semi-autistic grammar nazis around to fix the errors. :)
User avatar
whuppinboy
DBB Benefactor
DBB Benefactor
Posts: 725
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2001 2:01 am
Contact:

Post by whuppinboy »

considering your topic is grammatically incorrect, i can't believe a word of what you just said.

it should be: Spelling, punctuation and grammar. there's no comma before the end dumbass :P
User avatar
Hattrick
DBB Admiral
DBB Admiral
Posts: 1114
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2001 2:01 am
Location: Southern Oregon
Contact:

Re: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Post by Hattrick »

Dedman wrote:
What a waste! The person who put you in charge of hiring people should be fired.
Those responsible for the sacking, Have been sacked! :P


X2 to all the above.
Youre poast waz a waist of thyme.yoo wood halve bin beter off lerning to uze the spel czeck funksion.

geez, I knew he was anal but this post gets a place on my office wall. I'm sure it will amuse people for the next couple of days.
Plebeian
DBB Alumni
DBB Alumni
Posts: 1055
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 1999 3:01 am
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Contact:

Post by Plebeian »

WarAdvocat wrote:Flagged by MS Word Spellcheck:
"realise"
Valid spelling, it's just not the American spelling. Most of the rest of the world would be spelling it this way. :)
whuppingboy wrote:it should be: Spelling, punctuation and grammar. there's no comma before the end dumbass
As I recall, a comma between the last to items in a list of single words is acceptable but not required (while it's required in a list of phrases). But since there's an insane number of different sets of rules from all the different organizations over the years, it's hard to say what's "official" anymore. :?
User avatar
Couver_
DBB Ace
DBB Ace
Posts: 445
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: New Orleans

Post by Couver_ »

Ahh the Dickhead Manifesto
User avatar
Hahnenkam
DBB Ace
DBB Ace
Posts: 231
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:47 am
Location: New Hampshire

Post by Hahnenkam »

whuppinboy wrote:considering your topic is grammatically incorrect, i can't believe a word of what you just said.

it should be: Spelling, punctuation and grammar. there's no comma before the end dumbass :P
Whup is right, unless grammar is different in the southern hemisphere.

Maybe you should volunteer as a proofreader at a publishing company or local newspaper. It might help you loosen up that sphincter. :wink:
User avatar
Lobber
Emotastic!!
Emotastic!!
Posts: 1325
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 1998 3:01 am

Re: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Post by Lobber »

Mobius wrote:As well as many more besides.
Pardon me, DBB English-Nazi, master of all that is grammar and spelling, but didn't you just end this sentence in a preposition?
User avatar
Iceman
DBB Habitual Type Killer
DBB Habitual Type Killer
Posts: 4929
Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2000 2:01 am
Location: Huntsville, AL. USA
Contact:

Re: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Post by Iceman »

Mobius wrote:Whoever remains in the possibles pile gets an interview.

To me, it doesn't matter WHAT they wrote in the application - I'm not even slightly interested in the content. Nor do I care how much is in their CV. Simply by supplying a single page CV (Printed on both sides), and an error free application they will guarantee themselves an interview.

When they arive, I prety much have decided within 2 minuts of meeting them wether they have a job with us or not. I don't care what people where to an enterview: as long as their cloths are cleen, and they smell OK, and if they're male, have shaved.

I am not unusual en my hiring methods.

These jobs begin at $30 an hour, for 40 hours a weak, with 4 weeks annual leave. Overtime is time-and-a-half.

So just keep on thinking your bad speling doesn't mater, or that not putin an apostrophe in "don't" doesn't mater.
I count sixteen spelling errors in that passage Mobius.

$10 Says he goes back and edits his post to correct them.
Dedman
DBB Material Defender
DBB Material Defender
Posts: 4513
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 2:01 am
Location: Atlanta

Post by Dedman »

THE MOST FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH WORD

Well, it's s-h-i-t ... that's right, s-h-i-t!
S-h-i-t may just be the most functional word in the English language.

Consider:
You can get s-h-i-t-faced, Be s-h-i-t-out-of-luck, Or have s-h-i-t for brains.

With a little effort, you can get your s-h-i-t together, find a place for your s-h-i-t, or be asked to s-h-i-t or get off the pot.

You can smoke s-h-i-t, buy s-h-i-t, sell s-h-i-t, lose s-h-i-t, find s-h-i-t, forget s-h-i-t,
and tell others to eat s-h-i-t.

Some people know their s-h-i-t, while others can't tell the difference
between s-h-i-t and shineola.

There are lucky s-h-i-ts, dumb s-h-i-ts, and crazy s-h-i-ts. There is bull s-h-i-t,
horse s-h-i-t, and chicken s-h-i-t.

You can throw s-h-i-t, sling s-h-i-t, catch s-h-i-t, shoot the s-h-i-t,
or duck when the s-h-i-t hits the fan.

You can give a s-h-i-t or serve s-h-i-t on a shingle.

You can find yourself in deep s-h-i-t or be happier than a pig in s-h-i-t.

Some days are colder than s-h-i-t, some days are hotter than s-h-i-t,
and some days are just plain s-h-i-tty.

Some music sounds like s-h-i-t, things can look like s-h-i-t, and there ar! e times when you feel like s-h-i-t.

You can have too much s-h-i-t, not enough s-h-i-t, the right s-h-i-t, the wrong s-h-i-t or a lot of weird s-h-i-t.

You can carry s-h-i-t, have a mountain of s-h-i-t, or find yourself up s-h-i-t creek without a paddle.

Sometimes everything you touch turns to s-h-i-t and other times you fall in a bucket of s-h-i-t and come out smelling like a rose.


When you stop to consider all the facts, it's the basic building block of the English language.

And remember, once you know your s-h-i-t, you don't need to know anything else!!

You could pass this along, if you give a s-h-i-t; or not do so if you don't give a s-h-i-t!

Well, S-h-i-t, it's time for me to go. Just wanted you to know that I do give a s-h-i-t and hope you had a nice day, without a bunch of s-h-i-t. But, if you happened to catch a load of s-h-i-t from some s-h-i-t-head..........Well, S-h-i-t Happens!!!
Flabby Chick
DBB Fleet Admiral
DBB Fleet Admiral
Posts: 2367
Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2001 2:01 am
Location: Israel

Post by Flabby Chick »

What a load a crap!!!!
Admiral Thrawn
DBB Admiral
DBB Admiral
Posts: 1369
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2000 3:01 am
Location: Shawnee, Kansas

Post by Admiral Thrawn »

Mobious, don't me me talk about my relations with your girlfriend again.
User avatar
JMEaT
DBB Meat ByProduct
DBB Meat ByProduct
Posts: 10047
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 1999 3:01 am
Location: USA

Post by JMEaT »

10 dollars an hour sheep money is like 30 dollars an hour here...
User avatar
Krom
DBB Database Master
DBB Database Master
Posts: 16138
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 1998 3:01 am
Location: Camping the energy center. BTW, did you know you can have up to 100 characters in this location box?
Contact:

Post by Krom »

User avatar
JMEaT
DBB Meat ByProduct
DBB Meat ByProduct
Posts: 10047
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 1999 3:01 am
Location: USA

Post by JMEaT »

If I could accurately decipher that chart I would offer a response. Seeing as how I cannot, instead you get:

Image
User avatar
El Ka Bong
DBB Ace
DBB Ace
Posts: 497
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2001 2:01 am
Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Post by El Ka Bong »

But, as Mobius tried to say, "if you can't even speak your own Fukking Language" (a Frank Zappa Quote), then yes, you'll end up with limited choices. Knowing how to write in your own language is the same thing.
Unix
DBB Admiral
DBB Admiral
Posts: 1367
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 1999 2:01 am
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Contact:

Re: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Post by Unix »

Mobius wrote: I am currently employing new 3 programmers for our company, and this is what I do...
Wow, Mobi. You've got some new 3 programmers huh? Is 3 the new binary?
User avatar
Top Wop
DBB Master
DBB Master
Posts: 5104
Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2000 3:01 am
Location: Far from you.
Contact:

Post by Top Wop »

Male menopause hitting you early Mobius?

Image

Ya I know its old already, it will be its last appearance before I come up with something new.
User avatar
Jeff250
DBB Master
DBB Master
Posts: 6539
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 1999 2:01 am
Location: ❄️❄️❄️

Post by Jeff250 »

Hahnenkam wrote:
whuppinboy wrote:considering your topic is grammatically incorrect, i can't believe a word of what you just said.

it should be: Spelling, punctuation and grammar. there's no comma before the end dumbass :P
Whup is right, unless grammar is different in the southern hemisphere.
This is called a "serial comma." It is optional, i.e. it is not required to be used but not incorrect to be used. At worst, it is an extra character. At best, it removes ambiguity. Some people think that one way or the other is chic too.
Lobber wrote:
Mobius wrote:As well as many more besides.
Pardon me, DBB English-Nazi, master of all that is grammar and spelling, but didn't you just end this sentence in a preposition?
I think that in this instance "besides" is being used as an adverb.
Herculosis
DBB Ace
DBB Ace
Posts: 188
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2001 2:01 am
Location: USA

Post by Herculosis »

Hahnenkam wrote:
whuppinboy wrote:considering your topic is grammatically incorrect, i can't believe a word of what you just said.

it should be: Spelling, punctuation and grammar. there's no comma before the end dumbass :P
Whup is right, unless grammar is different in the southern hemisphere.

Maybe you should volunteer as a proofreader at a publishing company or local newspaper. It might help you loosen up that sphincter. :wink:
Actually, according to Corbett's "The Little Rhetoric & Handbook" (my bible on such matters), the comma before the "and" in a series of words is the PREFERRED method. They list the sans-last-comma version as an "acceptible" alternate form.
Dedman
DBB Material Defender
DBB Material Defender
Posts: 4513
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 2:01 am
Location: Atlanta

Post by Dedman »

El Ka Bong wrote:Knowing how to write in your own language is the same thing.
No it's not.

At its most basic level, writing is nothing more than a way to transfer data from one person to another. There is a set of rules such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation that make it easier to understand what another has written.

Sometimes the form is very important. When using a programming language for instance, the computer only knows what you wrote, not what you intended. In that case, form is as important as content.

Sometimes the content is very important. When you are stranded on an island the content of the rescue note you stuff into the bottle is far more important than if you misplaced a comma.

The trick is to know when content or form is more important. If you believe Mobius, form is always paramount. I would disagree with that argument. It depends on the situation and desired outcome.

Iâ??ll tell you this though; if Mobi is ever stuck on a deserted island and his rescue note has even one error in it, I am going to throw it directly in the trash.
User avatar
Stryker
DBB Admiral
DBB Admiral
Posts: 1103
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2004 7:58 am
Contact:

Post by Stryker »

I suggest that we build a time machine and send Mobius and everyone else here too back to the days of Geoffrey Chaucer. That would be an interesting field trip... with Mobius screaming every time he saw a piece of paper. ;)
User avatar
El Ka Bong
DBB Ace
DBB Ace
Posts: 497
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2001 2:01 am
Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Post by El Ka Bong »

Most often you talk just like you write: How many of you go to the "libary", drink "melk" or have to take the "ambliance' to the hospital, or admire the foilage on the trees...? People I know who say those words like that actually spell that way too.

Or, what did Mobius say about ebonics, in past DBB threads..?

http://www.funnyjunk.com/pages/ebonics.htm

http://www.atlantaga.com/ebonics.htm
User avatar
Top Gun
DBB Master
DBB Master
Posts: 8099
Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2002 3:01 am

Post by Top Gun »

So...did anyone else count how many times Mobius completely ignored any sense of subject-verb agreement? I'm counting one "consigns" instead of "consign" after a series of items connected by "and." Oh, and there's an "isn't" instead of an "aren't" in the same situation. But wait, there's more...we have the use of "is" with the subject "pages;" he also used "that" instead of "those" as the demonstrative adjective. Congratulations, Mobius; you've just earned the title of "DBB Hypocritical Jackass." I hope that you're proud of yourself. :P
User avatar
Top Gun
DBB Master
DBB Master
Posts: 8099
Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2002 3:01 am

Post by Top Gun »

Once more, with feeling! :P
Locked