Continued, with much more text and some truly horrifying pictures here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22403731Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
By Tom de Castella
BBC News Magazine
Children are again to be subject to a rigorous examination in grammar. But why does it make adults so cross when other adults break the rules?
A new grammar and spelling test arrives in primary schools in England this week. It is the first time in a while that such emphasis has been put on grammar.
Some of the questions will seem straightforward for adults, such as where to place a comma or a colon in a sentence. But other aspects - identifying different types of adverbs or distinguishing between subordinating and co-ordinating connectives - might raise eyebrows.
Grammar is not just an educational issue. For some adults, it can sabotage friendships and even romantic relationships.
The research arm of dating site OKCupid looked at 500,000 first contacts and concluded that "netspeak, bad grammar and bad spelling are huge turn-offs". The biggest passion killers were "ur", "r", "u", "ya" and "cant". Also damaging to online suitors were "luv" and "wat".
On the other hand, correct use of apostrophes was appealing. Using "don't" and "won't" caused better than average response rates - 36% and 37% respectively, according to the research.
Twist Phelan, an American writer who went on 100 online dates in 100 days and later married someone she met online, says grammar is a vital "filter system". It shows care has been taken when sentences are grammatically correct. "If you're trying to date a woman, I don't expect flowery Jane Austen prose. But aren't you trying to put your best foot forward?"
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Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
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klr
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Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
God has no place within these walls, just like facts have no place within organized religion. - Superintendent Chalmers
It's not up to us to choose which laws we want to obey. If it were, I'd kill everyone who looked at me cock-eyed! - Rex Banner
The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression. - Gary Larson
It's not up to us to choose which laws we want to obey. If it were, I'd kill everyone who looked at me cock-eyed! - Rex Banner
The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression. - Gary Larson
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Bella Fortuna
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
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klr
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
Bella Fortuna wrote:
God has no place within these walls, just like facts have no place within organized religion. - Superintendent Chalmers
It's not up to us to choose which laws we want to obey. If it were, I'd kill everyone who looked at me cock-eyed! - Rex Banner
The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression. - Gary Larson
It's not up to us to choose which laws we want to obey. If it were, I'd kill everyone who looked at me cock-eyed! - Rex Banner
The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression. - Gary Larson
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Bella Fortuna
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Upon the hours and times of your desire?
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Nor services to do, till you require. - Location: Scotlifornia
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
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FBM
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
I would date a non-native speaker who made grammar and mechanics errors, but not a native English speaker. Ain't nobody got time for that.
"A philosopher is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there. A theologian is the man who finds it." ~ H. L. Mencken
"We ain't a sharp species. We kill each other over arguments about what happens when you die, then fail to see the fucking irony in that."
"It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism while the wolf remains of a different opinion."
"We ain't a sharp species. We kill each other over arguments about what happens when you die, then fail to see the fucking irony in that."
"It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism while the wolf remains of a different opinion."
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JimC
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
Lip's that touch whine will never touch mine...
Nurse, where the fuck's my cardigan?
And my gin!
And my gin!
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SteveB
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
Apostrophe's also used as a contraction of a subject and is. 
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Xamonas Chegwé
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
Thi's thread just brought out the 
in me. 
in me. A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.
Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
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SteveB
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
Mine's a correct usage according to the apostrophe's complex rules.
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Xamonas Chegwé
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When backed into a corner, I fit perfectly - having a right-angled arse. - Location: Nottingham UK
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
I wasn't talking about your post - just the subject in general...
A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.
Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
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JimC
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
I wonder if they're really good at it in Grammar Schools?
Nurse, where the fuck's my cardigan?
And my gin!
And my gin!
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SteveB
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
If they're not then they're declared Apostrophates! Bah dum tish!
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JimC
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Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
It'll be apoplexy next, mark my words...
Nurse, where the fuck's my cardigan?
And my gin!
And my gin!
Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
Whats the problem here? Apostrophe's are utterly superfluous'. People are too possessive.
Re: Apostrophe now: Bad grammar and the people who hate it
Of course that is a contraction.
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