Regarding spelling, punctuation, and grammar

[Darth Handsome]

That is one of those rules I can never retain. I think I have unresolved issues involving conflict between the nuns at the Home For The Rude and MAD magazine, the main sources of my early education.

He is incorrect. In that case, the period should be outside the quotes. Ask around.

 

[Immigrant]

I actually have a book (Perdue U?) that has every rule imaginable in it, but I forgot how books work.

 

[ChrisB2]

He is incorrect. In that case, the period should be outside the quotes. Ask around.

Sure, ask all the Brits and non-American English speakers you want. But since the person I was addressing is in the US, I am correct.

 

[Darth Handsome]

Sure, ask all the Brits and non-American English speakers you want. But since the person I was addressing is in the US, I am correct.

I'll take your word for it & apologize unreservedly.

 

[cacophonic]

I'm 16 now, as of yesterday, but as an AP English student I absolutely abhor improper grammar. As a teenager, all I'm surrounded by are other teenagers that couldn't give a rat's behind about spelling or grammar, and are willing to tease the life out of anyone who does. If I correct people I'm told to "chill".

This is why I've stopped associating with dumb people. If someone, in conversation with me, consistently uses improper grammar, I can't do it. I can't talk to them; it's just not okay. I'm uptight, and rightly made fun of, but it's my biggest pet peeve. I can't stand it. There's absolutely something wrong with a society that refuses to put effort into education. On Twitter, all I see are people berating the school system and talking about the stupidity of standardized testing. Everyone has an excuse for why they're not doing well in school, but none seem to be able to grasp the simple concept of "maybe I'm the problem". It's really quite frustrating. You have the Internet, and can look up anything in the world, but instead you use it to talk about how your teachers hate you for giving you a project to do on your own time. This is why I spend my time on TB and Wikipedia instead, learning about bass playing and string theory. I just can't wait to watch those people fail miserably in university. I'm a terrible person, but I totally get where you're coming from.

How NOT to engage the interest of the typical adolescent human: Here we have a huge pile of words which have meanings and spellings that must be understood and committed to memory. And here we have a long list of formal rules about how to use these words, rules which must also be mastered and memorized. And as if that weren’t enough, we have another long list of confusing exceptions to those rules that themselves become an entire separate set of rules. And on top of that we add a lot of jargon and terminology that will help us to bore the living crap out of you while trying to teach you all of the rules and exceptions and definitions and spellings. And then there’s punctuation.

Is it any wonder that most teenagers turn a deaf ear, and if they do does that make them “dumb?”

Expertise in the proper, formal use of language, however admirable, should never be a means of self-aggrandizement nor should it entitle one to presume a superiority of intellect or status (i.e. be a pompous ass). Is that really the sort of person you aspire to be? Terribleness should be transcended or overcome, not rationalized or celebrated.

Our success as humans depends in part upon our ability to effectively engage others within a diverse society. Whether we like it or not, we must share the planet with the careless, the negligent, and the dumb, and also with a vast multitude of humans who are quite intelligent yet who, for whatever reason, never developed a taste or a talent for the proper, formal use of language. While you state a wish to see others fail miserably, perhaps it is you who are, even now, in a profound state of failing.

Knowledge is not the same as enlightenment, and if forced to choose between the two I would prefer enlightenment any old day.

But don’t take my word for it.

Bob

 

[Definitely]

Your brain is going to hurt more when you notice I said "dumber then" rather than "dumber than."

Didn't even notice!

How NOT to engage the interest of the typical adolescent human: Here we have a huge pile of words which have meanings and spellings that must be understood and committed to memory. And here we have a long list of formal rules about how to use these words, rules which must also be mastered and memorized. And as if that weren’t enough, we have another long list of confusing exceptions to those rules that themselves become an entire separate set of rules. And on top of that we add a lot of jargon and terminology that will help us to bore the living crap out of you while trying to teach you all of the rules and exceptions and definitions and spellings. And then there’s punctuation.

Is it any wonder that most teenagers turn a deaf ear, and if they do does that make them “dumb?”

Expertise in the proper, formal use of language, however admirable, should never be a means of self-aggrandizement nor should it entitle one to presume a superiority of intellect or status (i.e. be a pompous ass). Is that really the sort of person you aspire to be? Terribleness should be transcended or overcome, not rationalized or celebrated.

Our success as humans depends in part upon our ability to effectively engage others within a diverse society. Whether we like it or not, we must share the planet with the careless, the negligent, and the dumb, and also with a vast multitude of humans who are quite intelligent yet who, for whatever reason, never developed a taste or a talent for the proper, formal use of language. While you state a wish to see others fail miserably, perhaps it is you who are, even now, in a profound state of failing.

Knowledge is not the same as enlightenment, and if forced to choose between the two I would prefer enlightenment any old day.

But don’t take my word for it.

Bob

I understand wholly what you're saying. I also understand how my post may have come off quite pompous ass-ish, but it's the truth. I believe that those who complain about knowledge are unintelligent, and those who are unwilling to attempt learning are just plain stupid. I enjoy being in company more intelligent than myself, because it gives me the opportunity to learn from others. My best friends from elementary school are only 70s-80s students, and they're still close friends, but my closest friend from high school is the one guy in my grade with a higher average than me. Talking to smart people is enlightenment, so why would I choose to associate with those I can't learn from? Their unintelligence, combined with the incessant complaining about actually having to put forth effort, makes them frustrating people to talk to. I'm not going to isolate myself from the average person "just because", but if someone tells me to "chill" for my habit of using proper grammar or correcting it, why would I want to talk to him?

 

[ChrisB2]

I'll take your word for it & apologize unreservedly.

No apology necessary kind sir, but thank you just the same...

 

[twocargar]

'larious, innit?

 

[Munjibunga]

Ali G is the best, but Andy Rooney was better.

 

[Munjibunga]

He is incorrect. In that case, the period should be outside the quotes. Ask around.

Mmmmmnope.

 

[Darth Handsome]

Mmmmmnope.

Apparently it's an American thing. Ive already gotten my pee pee slapped over this. Foot in mouth, egg on face, all that.

That said, in that instance putting the period inside the quotes is dumb and whoever thought that up isn't as handsome as I am.

 

[Munjibunga]

I didn't think it up, but I'm twice as handsomer as you. See avatar.

 

[f.c.geil]

Mmmmmnope.

Mmmmmyup.

Periods, commas, and the like all go within the quotes. There are exceptions, but this is the rule.

 

[Darth Handsome]

I didn't make it up, but I'm twice as handsomer as you. See avatar.

Wha-? Get off your perch. Im Darth Handsome. Who do you think you are? Munjihandsome? Pffft.

......hey that isnt bad. Munjihandsome. I like it.

 

[edpal]

Period and question marks go outside quotes unless the quote itself ends with a period or question mark, then they go inside. If the quote finishes the sentence you don't double up on them lik,e "Darth isn't nearly as handsome as Conan?".

Munjihandsome - sounds like some kind of weird food that has a cool name but is really camel chitterlings(intestines) with grasshopper pate..

 

[edpal]

I didn't think it up, but I'm twice as handsomer as you. See avatar.

Heavy over-bite, pointed teeth, no chin....yeap, chicks be diggin it. Sheesh Munji, you make ME look good.
Lurch actually had very nice skin, despite it being a tad grey.

 

[f.c.geil]

Period and question marks go outside quotes unless the quote itself ends with a period or question mark, then they go inside.

Guess again. Better yet, swing by the local high school and ask the English teacher. Even easier, open most any book. This really isn't a tough one to prove.

 

[Darth Handsome]

Doing it like this is completely "stupid."

Doing like it this is much, much "better". And makes waaaaay more "sense".

Why the **** would you put the period inside the quotes if it isn't part of the quote? That's the same as putting the period in the middle of the damn sentence.

As far as I know, the British & we super duper smart Canadians do it my way. But if indeed we don't, that's just as dumb as spelling color "colour", which I still refuse to do.

 

[Munjibunga]

I'm 16 now, as of yesterday, but as an AP English student I absolutely abhor improper grammar. As a teenager, all I'm surrounded by are other teenagers that couldn't give a rat's behind about spelling or grammar, and are willing to tease the life out of anyone who does. If I correct people I'm told to "chill".

This is why I've stopped associating with dumb people. If someone, in conversation with me, consistently uses improper grammar, I can't do it. I can't talk to them; it's just not okay. I'm uptight, and rightly made fun of, but it's my biggest pet peeve. I can't stand it. There's absolutely something wrong with a society that refuses to put effort into education. On Twitter, all I see are people berating the school system and talking about the stupidity of standardized testing. Everyone has an excuse for why they're not doing well in school, but none seem to be able to grasp the simple concept of "maybe I'm the problem". It's really quite frustrating. You have the Internet, and can look up anything in the world, but instead you use it to talk about how your teachers hate you for giving you a project to do on your own time. This is why I spend my time on TB and Wikipedia instead, learning about bass playing and string theory. I just can't wait to watch those people fail miserably in university. I'm a terrible person, but I totally get where you're coming from.

Two things:

1. Do you happen to be in the market for some parents?

2. You just excluded half the world's population from your circle of associates.

 

[f.c.geil]

Stupid or not, that's how it's done.