Not trying to start a argument but...... somethings really b

I'm not trying to start an argument either: one reason some people comment on the grammar or sentence structure of others is that the forums are all about communication, and clear communication is aided by--and often dependent upon--proper sentence structure, correct spelling, and reasonably-accurate grammar.

This. When reading, it's important to communicate clearly since there is not the opportunity to expand on what you mean, use inflection, etc. While I don't correct people on their mistakes I notice them every single time. Some people make a good point - maybe a person has never been corrected and they don't know they're making a mistake. However, regarding the OP, I have seen a few of your posts and I simply cannot get through them. I am not going to spend time trying to decipher what is being said when there is no punctuation as a guide, so I pass that post over, as I'm sure others do who might be able to offer good advice. Spelling mistakes, a lot of grammar mistakes - it's still usually easy to make out what the person is saying, but when there is no punctuation it requires more effort on my part than I am willing to give.

I agree. Although I notice when there is a grammatical error I rarely have trouble deciphering what is meant by a post. We live in the age of texting and digital communication. Grammar has it's place but not necessarily on a conversation post.
Sometimes I think people are trying to show us just how educated they are by correcting grammar or spelling errors. I have already passed and done quite well in my college level English classes. If I choose to cut corners here and there for the sake of conversation, who cares?

To everyone else who is so caught up about people using grammar
Do you think that people who have limited English shouldn’t post, how about people who didn’t get the education they deserved what about people with learning disorders should they be banned or what about people who just simply didn’t do so well at school

I mean come on there are people here who come from so many different backgrounds and I believe they should be supported equally but hey if bullying people makes you feel big and tough then that’s your damage not mine

Look at this post....you have used some punctuation and separated into paragraphs and it is a ZILLION times easier to read! That's so much better! I'm sorry, I don't think it's "bullying" at all to let someone know that they are not effectively communicating.

Anyway i think it’s time to step away from this post the positive posts and some of the critical posts have defiantly helped and thank you for that i have become a bit more aware of how hard it can be to read a big block of text and i will try and change this but as we all know from weight loss old habits can be very hard to break

I would also just like to say i didn’t come here to learn English from forum posters when i do decide to make that step i will make my way over to My Grammar pal where you can feel free to show your "support" by complaing and targeting my not so perfect posts we can even have little tickers that show our perfect days of correct usage of full stops.

Until then I will keep using this site for weight loss and again if my posts bother your eyes please don’t read it just move on there are plenty more posts that you can go and read

Seriously, I am baffled by you. Do you have a learning disability that precludes you from using proper punctuation or just a general aversion? I only ask because I once had a student who refused to use proper punctuation. Her essays were incomprehensible. I gave her a chance to re-write her first essay, but she still refused to use proper punctuation (like you, she insisted it wasn't important). In the end, she failed the class and then tried to petition the grade (at which she was unsuccessful). So in all seriousness, why do you refuse to use punctuation?

To everyone else who is so caught up about people using grammar
Do you think that people who have limited English shouldn’t post, how about people who didn’t get the education they deserved what about people with learning disorders should they be banned or what about people who just simply didn’t do so well at school

I mean come on there are people here who come from so many different backgrounds and I believe they should be supported equally but hey if bullying people makes you feel big and tough then that’s your damage not mine

You know, no one here is actually bullying you. Most of us are pointing out that the reason you don't receive more positive feedback is that your posts are difficult to understand.

You're talking about learning disabilities, and second languages, and education, but that's not the issue here. You said yourself that you know about spelling and grammar, and are deliberately choosing not to use it. Ignoring this, (and to debunk a stereotype) I know many people who fit into the categories you described who have perfectly legible posts. No one is suggesting to ban these people (or you, for that matter).

The fact is that the forums are about communication. And if you want to communicate an idea, some strategies are better than others. If you feel you are having difficulties communicating, maybe you should consider why that is rather than making accusations of bullying where none exists.

I've seen a bit of that, and I think it's ridiculous. I teach English Language Arts (reading, writing, grammar, spelling, and all the rest of the goodies), and I don't think of a forum such as this as being "formal writing" where these rules apply. Do what works for you and ignore the people who have nothing better to do. For those that get annoyed by poor grammar, try to focus on a few of the following possibilities: 1) the first language of the poster may or may not be English, 2) there ARE different spellings (and even some grammar and syntax rules) that vary from one English-speaking country to another, 3) there might be people on here who struggled when learning these rules (some of them may even have a diagnosed learning disability), 4) when people are flustered and looking for help they might not be thinking about their spelling, grammar, or syntax, and 5) this is a forum and not formal writing therefore the rules of grammar are not a priority.

Thank you Nikki, maybe some of the folks being "grammar police" will calm down after reading your post. Coming from a professional it may help. Grammatical criticism on a support site such as this is just uncalled for...We are all here for support!

I am educated i understand full stops, spelling and general grammar

So, according to what you originally posted, you don't fall into the categories you listed in your last post.

So...this being the case...why do you post so badly? If you understand full stops, you must therefore understand their importance, yet still you choose not to use them?

"...why do you post so badly?" - I think the three pages of excitement is why. I could be wrong...

I think you hit the nail on the head. :laugh:

Again, if this were a real-time IRC chat, sure! Understandable! But you have as much time as you need to make a forum post. Take a deep breath, write your post, reread it...

That's too bad that "some" can't see beyond their own issues. Most of us in the working world have to modify what we have been taught. Like if you must use shorthand on a job you learn to use a lot of misspelled word; until you have all the facts then you proof read for the final layout, but that is only necessary on a professional job. If you have grown to use your mobile texting you 'REALLY' learn to type the shortest possible letters. And if you have a job like mine in customer service you must learn to make sense without any vowels and you use the minimal amout of letters to complete sentences. Whew! We have roughly 20 character spaces to type out problems to technicians so that they can see what the issues are and that soon becomes a habit after about 11 years on the same job. So it is too bad that some folks can't see beyond the typing of the times and realize that this is 2011 and spelling is a thing of the WAY PAST! If you are getting the point across and maybe checking to see if a particular word might need to be spelled out, but wasting time nit picking over grammer is so the 80's. Just ignore people that are stuck in a rut. It probably explains why they are having issues with their health in the first place. Sorry to all that can't move on in the modern times. This place is about getting your health in line not your grammer.

While I doubt that this will be of any interest or change any of the firmly embedded beliefs expressed here. I am dyslexic, and have been for a long time. Please continue your Jihad.

Wow this post turned out to be something i didnt want it to be, im not exactly shocked but i didnt expect 4 pages of argueing from either side all i wanted was to point out hey im here for weight loss im not that great when it comes to clear and grammical posts and if you dont like it leave me alone i did make it pretty clear if you dont like the way i write to remember my name and skip my posts

im not really understanding why that is so hard to understand no matter how bad my spelling, spaces and grammar is basically i just want to have the support from like minded people here and im sure so do you and for me that means having the support of friendly caring people who want to motivate me through kindness and understanding rather than being my teacher i get that some people are happy to recieve critcial help etc and thats good if that works for them but thats not what i want on this journey so i ask that you just move on to people who appreciate being taught by you

Then why did you post this in the first place? And by the way, no one was arguing...

When you have a conversation with someone, your comprehension of what they're saying comes from their tone, body language and words. So someone could say, "I'm so happy you came!" but if they're tone is flat and their face is sour, you will understand it very differently to the literal meaning of the words. Words make up 7% of comprehension (I don't have a source for this, but I did a plain English course at uni and I remember that much at least!).

When you're typing on a forum, you only have words to work with, we can't see your body language or hear your tone. So you need to use those words more efficiently. Typing without using full stops is like telling someone a story without taking a single breath! It's hard to follow and some people get frustrated.

That said, I don't think it's right to be mean to someone because they've used incorrect grammar - it's petty and people usually only do it to feel superior. If you find it frustrating to read, don't read it! But, if you have a question that you'd like an answer for, it's probably in your interest to make it easier to read by putting in a few full stops, paragraph breaks and capitals.

Hi all i don’t want to sound mean or to start a negative post but this has been bothering me I’ve noticed that not allot but some people on here seem to be more concerned with peoples spelling and grammar than they do with the question the person is asking and being supportive I have had mine pointed out quite rudely a couple of times and i just don’t get it I am educated i understand full stops, spelling and general grammar but on forums I tend to treat them more like a conversation rather than an essay
I like to type i guess like I’m talking to someone allot of the time there is emotion backing what I’m saying and asking and i don’t really stop to think about a apostrophe and full stop I’m sure that for some people it’s a real pet peeve and hey we all have those but when I read something that annoys me I move on I don’t waste my time and there’s having a silly whinge about it
Anyway just had to get that off my chest and I hope if your one of those people that expects perfection when reading a post that you remember my name and skip over any that I make
To everyone else thanks for reading and I hope you understand

What?

I don't expect perfection & I know I make my share of mistakes. But honestly, this is very hard to read, much less understand. And don't you want people to understand your post?

So it is too bad that some folks can't see beyond the typing of the times and realize that this is 2011 and spelling is a thing of the WAY PAST! If you are getting the point across and maybe checking to see if a particular word might need to be spelled out, but wasting time nit picking over grammer is so the 80's. Just ignore people that are stuck in a rut. It probably explains why they are having issues with their health in the first place. Sorry to all that can't move on in the modern times. This place is about getting your health in line not your grammer.

Geez, the first time in history that education has been available to all (in developed countries) but the priests, scholars, or royalty, and we're going throw the opportunity to become better educated away? Spelling is a thing of the "WAY PAST"? When more and more communication is through text? How did I miss the memo?