They're, Their, There

2014-09-26T14:58:28-04:00

you're and your ... it's and its

Do the differences matter to you? They matter to me, but I get that not everyone cares about these things. Maybe we should?

You're probably thinking there are more important things to worry about. That's certainly true, but I maintain that your possible misuse of these words and their variants could reflect negatively, to some people, at least. I say it's important! What is your opinion?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Sep 26 at 2014 2:59 PM

2014-09-26T14:59:27-04:00

Yer just bein anal sir!! Lol!

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Sep 27 at 2014 1:24 PM

2014-09-27T13:24:12-04:00

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member Sir, you're absolutely correct. Before I enlisted, I worked for a company where many of the regional managers did not use basic grammar rules when writing emails to employees. It gave the impression that they were uneducated and/or lazy. Neither characteristic is one that should be acceptable. In the same way, when I received emails from employees who used poor grammar and syntax, I got the same impression: lazy or stupid. Again, not something that most people would want their boss to think of them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2014 9:42 PM

2014-09-27T21:42:34-04:00

I think the majority of the population knows the differences however, they don't think twice before they send a memo or a text. I definitely think "lazy" when I see those words misused unless I see it written from a child.

Response by SGT Steven Montgomery made Sep 27 at 2014 9:45 PM

2014-09-27T21:45:11-04:00

I find that their is little reason's to worry two much about using there when you mean they're little pigs. I thinks as long as yore getting the messages across, thats what matters to most of these peoples thats matters. They're's my opinion. Don't be a hater.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Sep 27 at 2014 10:24 PM

2014-09-27T22:24:16-04:00

People need to go back to school, and while they're there, learn their grammar...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2014 1:16 AM

2014-09-28T01:16:39-04:00

Here you go, CW5 Private RallyPoint Member. :D

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2014 3:12 AM

2014-09-28T03:12:08-04:00

I was just discussing this with my sister who is a deputy sheriff. 3 kids from our collective family have failed to pass the exams for various civil law enforcement do to the grammar test requirement. All passed high school with diplomas in different cities all failed test on grammar. I think that with the increased use of word processing programs and auto correct, many kids today are not gaining good writing skills as they basically do not have to proof-read or have their original documents graded.

I think perhaps this may be what is being seen today. We are making ourselves more dumb by making things more easy.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2014 10:53 AM

2014-09-28T10:53:24-04:00

What about 'myself'? Another frequent irritator of mine. According to my old high school grammar classes, the only time you use '-self' is if you have appropriate pronoun accompanying it.

For instance, 'reserve the MREs for myself' is incorrect and should be written as 'reserve MREs for me'. You can say 'I will reserve MREs for myself' however.

Their. Your welcome. May SSG Scott Williams have a blast with this one

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 30 at 2014 5:26 PM

2014-09-30T17:26:17-04:00

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member It actually takes an effort for me to not offer a correction when someone does that.

Its simply a case of someone not giving there full attention, or at least less then they should.

(see what I did their?)

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 30 at 2014 5:26 PM

2014-09-30T17:26:23-04:00

I openly admit that I am a "Grammar Nazi". Misuse of words drives me crazy... :-)
There is no good excuse for grammatical errors in official correspondence. It is more than simply a lack of education, in many cases. It is inattention to detail and it matters.

Spellcheck can only go so far... You have to proof-read the content yourself. I saw a sign once that said "Spellcheck is my worst enema"... :-) :-)

Typos and errors in posts, such as these, kind-of go with the territory. However, official correspondence needs to be perfect. OK ... I'm through being anal. :-)

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 30 at 2014 5:27 PM

2014-09-30T17:27:42-04:00

They do matter to me. I have read through the comments and there are some very good points listed. The major one that I wholeheartedly concur with is the infamous 'auto-correct' (I often miss it when it changes what I typed).
Having said that, in most cases, if you take ones entire post as a whole, it becomes fairly obvious when if the individual just doesn't understand the rules of grammar or if there was an inadvertent mistake. I have seen some posts that were so poorly written I could not even find a clue as to what they really meant and that just drives me nuts!
Punctuation also matters to me. I know I'm not perfect with my punctuation either, but at least I try. The following example is proof that punctuation can actually save lives:
1. Let's eat Grandpa.
2. Let's eat, Grandpa.
Silly? Sure it is, but it proves a point.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 5:30 PM

2014-09-30T17:30:15-04:00

May as well add "you", "you're" and "your" to the discussion ...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 6:55 PM

2014-09-30T18:55:09-04:00

your the reason there all unedumacated Chief its all you're fault.

P.S.
That hurt to even type that!! LOL

Response by LTC Mark Gavula made Sep 30 at 2014 7:04 PM

2014-09-30T19:04:49-04:00

The manner in which you communicate in the civilian world matters!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 7:27 PM

2014-09-30T19:27:50-04:00

There, their, they're CW5 Private RallyPoint Member, it's all going to be ok. We can't all be like my mother - bless her heart - who has a Masters Degree in English.

With all that said - you're correct. Sometimes there are times when it appears that people cannot determine which word or words to use when in written conversation.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 30 at 2014 8:08 PM

2014-09-30T20:08:05-04:00

Well, as a PAO and as a writer, I would have to say yes, they matter to me. I believe good grammar is important and proper use of tenses and possessions are important as well. Of course, it doesn't hurt that my mother beat good grammar into our brains as we were growing up. ;-)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 8:33 PM

2014-09-30T20:33:15-04:00

Image is very important in a professional environment. The amount of people who read our typos on a day-to-day basis increase the possibility that the lack of grammer skills (oops) will be remembered when crossing paths down the post-service road.
Public communications simply flow best from those who regularly practice their best English language mechanics. To me, it's a matter of personal pride. I thoroughly enjoy fostering professionalism in everything I say and do. Speaking (and writing) as one who wields respect at all levels has yielded immediate and surprising results in my career.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 9:17 PM

2014-09-30T21:17:56-04:00

I will do my best from here on.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 9:41 PM

2014-09-30T21:41:06-04:00

It is absolutely necessary to be able to communicate without being distracting. That's what happens when you don't use grammar correctly. It distracts from the message. People focus on editing your work instead of understanding the message. Step 1: Read: "Eats, Shoots and Leaves." Step 2: Read AR 25-50. Step 3: Comply.

I disagree with some who have said people know but are lazy. I believe people come out of our school systems ignorant of proper grammar...and hell...some of them are proud of it.

I tell my officers that EVERYTHING they turn in is a graded homework assignment. They all have to do a FLIPL at some point, and you'd better bet that I am reading for their ability to communicate in written form, form a logical and sound argument (and yes...those are different things), and use proper freakin English. I you graduated from Podunk-U with a degree in Livestock Fornication, I DON'T CARE. You're in the Army now, and we have standards. Time to comply or find another profession.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 1 at 2014 8:59 PM

2014-10-01T20:59:26-04:00

My two 5th graders are in the process of decoding the many grammatical anomalies of the English "language". It's starting to give me a headache explaining it. I ate eight grapes. Their stuff is over there where they're standing. Ever really try to explain that to a 10 year old??

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2014 2:08 AM

2014-10-02T02:08:34-04:00

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member bless you, chief. I hate to say it, but one way to instantly lose my respect is when I'm sent a text, e-mail, etc. that misuses these words. I remember one nastygram in particular that I deserved to get and was taking very seriously, until I read "your an adult"...after which I just stopped reading.

As a professional, YOUR grammar and word usage reflects more than you would think. If YOU'RE expecting people to take you seriously, YOUR grammar must be seriously correct. THERE are few people who show THEIR level of education and attention to detail through THEIR grammar on a consistent basis, and you can bet that THEY'RE much more efficient communicators than THEIR peers.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Oct 2 at 2014 11:31 AM

2014-10-02T11:31:04-04:00

Proper use of language is the first step in effective communication.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2014 8:10 PM

2014-10-03T20:10:51-04:00

Here you go, CW5 Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2014 8:18 PM

2014-10-03T20:18:49-04:00

And if you want to get your "Grammar Nazi" on.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 3 at 2014 8:24 PM

2014-10-03T20:24:36-04:00

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member as being a stickler for details I couldn't agree more with you on the abundances of malapropisms that find their (there) way into personal and professional correspondence. I see it as a direct reflection of the bar we are setting and from the looks of it all I can say is "limbo".

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 4 at 2014 1:15 PM

2014-10-04T13:15:10-04:00

"If it's worth doing, It's worth doing well"
No pride in how you write is like going out to dinner in flip-flops and a bath robe.
It shows a lack of respect for yourself and others.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 4:24 PM

2015-02-08T16:24:08-05:00

Today I corrected five (5 !!!) misuses of the word "advise" in titles of discussion threads. I want to say it's a fluke, but not five instances.

ADVICE = noun ... "Looking for some advice..."

ADVISE = verb ... "The advisor advises the students."

And about that thread on adding a writing requirement to professional development courses ... My advice? I advise you to "Get you some!"

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 10:26 AM

2015-02-13T10:26:38-05:00

Yes, it does bother me. Their lack of attention to detail or just plain incompetency rubs off on others forcing them to commit the same errors as well. I have witnessed this, however, it could be different for others.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 10:31 AM

2015-02-13T10:31:11-05:00

Their they're CW5 Private RallyPoint Member no reason to be sad.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Feb 13 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-02-13T10:50:02-05:00

"It never ceases to amaze me that intelligent well educated and ambitious people frequently overlook the number one skill that positions them ahead of the crowd." Patricia Fripp

While in that quote, she was talking about public speaking skills, I personally expand that to overall communication skills. With the exception of putting in things like "*grin*" into a social media site like this or FB, I tend to make my communications professional in nature. I am by no means perfect in this regard, but I do try. Correct spelling matters to me. Correct grammar matters to me.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-02-13T15:33:36-05:00

Yes, it is absolutely important. Attention to detail.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 13 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-02-13T17:11:58-05:00

It matters to me, CW5 Private RallyPoint Member! I'll even edit my responses on RP when I notice grammar and spelling errors!

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Feb 13 at 2015 5:23 PM

2015-02-13T17:23:40-05:00

Response by COL Ted Mc made Feb 14 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-02-14T13:30:43-05:00

We express our thoughts through the words we use. If we don't use the correct words, we don't express ourselves correctly.

I can cope with minor spelling errors and homonyms - but I really don't like them.