"AN OPENED LETTER" OF APOLOGY FOR MY SPELLING, GRAMMAR & TYPING

About a year or so ago after having a few Forum member's correct a few misspelled words in my posts, I decided to post a response - in the Lounge section I believe. I did that but was unable to find it again, so I will just re-write another.

Yesterday a member sent me a private message (so as not to embarrass me and I do appreciate that immensely - thank you Sir)! He noted that I had misused a word or spelled it the wrong way and yes, he was absolutely correct. So here is my explanation and apology......

I SUCK at spelling! I am a math WIZ! In High School I received 100% on all 4 of my math Regents, but only a 78% on my English Regents and that might have been a gift from the God's- lol. I have struggled with spelling my entire life and have actually improved quite a bit - my wife is always after me about this and I do really try hard by looking a word up when I can't figure it out. She spells - I do the math!

Some of the more detail oriented people here might also have noticed that I edit my posts frequently. Not really to change content, but to correct spelling and grammar if I notice it after hitting the "submit" button. I am also a night owl and many of my posts are between 2:00am and 6:00am. Sometimes I post while a bit tired and sometimes when not 100% awake - what can I say?

To add insult to injury I am also a terrible typist! There are times I am aware how to spell something but just hit the wrong keys. Been working on that for 50+ years but have not mastered that yet - lol.

No one can be perfect at everything - although I do try. My true talents are in mathematics, science, common sense and mechanical skills. I do quite well when we "play" Jeopardy every night (except when it comes to spelling categories) and my wife has prodded me to go on the show for decades - not really interested though. I truly do not know why I have trouble spelling some words - guess I was doing quantum mechanics or calculus during English class - lol!!

So YES I am aware of my short comings when it pertains to spelling and I SHALL continue to try and improve this. I apologize to anyone here who us offended by misspelled words, and will also make a concerted effort to read my posts one more time before hitting "submit" - but no promises....

Last but not least, I am glad to see there are members here who pick up on incorrect spelling as it does say something about the caliber of members here. Hopefully there are many who excel at mathematics too! While I do agree spelling is important, it is second fiddle to mathematics and science with which the world as we know it could not survive. So that is my story Guys and Gals..... For better or worse I am a lousy speller and even worse typist!

I SUCK at spelling! I am a math WIZ!

I'm terrible at both.
Spell check is one of my best friends. I just wish there was a "math check".

Yes but you provide plenty of context!

Math and English spelling don't mix. Doesn't mean they can't coexist, but they don't mix. Common sense gets along a little better with English, but not much. If you're not a history buff, fageddaboutit.

"Proper" English is its own subject. Fits some folks' interests, others' perhaps not.

De gustibus non disputandum erat.

I also suck at spelling but now that I have Siri I have improved a lot. I ask Siri several times a day how to spell something. As I keep getting older sometimes the easiest word escapes me. Forgot my easy password to my desk top one day.
After a major production I was able to get on the computer and change it. The next day I remembered the original password.

I never correct someone else's grammar or spelling unless I'm reposting/quoting them, but I do notice it.
The older I get, I also find myself missing things. The English language has numerous words that sound the same, are spelled differently, and have different meanings. Spelling/grammar check won't always pick up on that.

My biggest pet peeve is this one, "I seen ..."
I hear what I assumed to be educated people saying that all the time.

I see
I saw
I have seen

That and fractions...good grief!

anewon hoo wood korekt sumwon elsis spelin bi sendin a privit mesij need tu git a nu hobee.

Chief, I certainly wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Heck, I'll bet most of the people who are members of the spelling/grammar police can't tell the difference between a split infinitive and a dangling participle.

Mule Packer said:

Chief, I certainly wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Heck, I'll bet most of the people who complain about your spelling can't tell the difference between a split infinitive and a dangling participle.

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Now THAT'S funny!

Chief, I’ve never noticed any of what you’ve mentioned. Keep on keeping on, My Friend. I am always willing to over look a little boo-boo. I make plenty.

But while we’re on the subject, on thing that does rub me the wrong way is when guys use more than one question mark. I’ve received warnings from the admin here for things I consider to be less offensive.
The other disgusting thing is when someone refers to their finger as a booger hook. That just disgusting, low intelligent, low class.

Ok, I’m done. Everyone have a wonderful day, and keep em in the black!

Well I'm terrible at math, so there you go! I'm sure we've all got more to worry about (and more serious faults) than spelling and grammar! No apology needed!

I notice misspellings and misuse of words, but rarely point them out. Sometime I do if I find them funny, like "sweat tea" the other day. I think, on the whole, pointing out spelling or grammatical errors on the forum is kinda rude, but to do so by PM to someone who is receptive, like Chief38, seems okay to me.

There is certainly no need to apologize to anyone about it, Chief. It's clear from your posts that you are a smart guy, and I really don't believe any of us are offended by your language errors. I like reading your posts.

(Ya know, I am the other way: I'm pretty good at language and writing, but I truly suck at math. Always have. In my twenties, when I applied to grad school and took the GRE standardized test, I was in the high 90s for language and in the mid 20s for math...)

(This discussion reminds me that I miss Absent Comrade TexasStar. He was a stickler for proper spelling and grammar, and would regularly, quite prissily, take members to task for their errors. This would really annoy some of us, and watching the ensuing brouhaha from the sidelines was great fun!)

Mule Packer said:

Chief, I certainly wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Heck, I'll bet most of the people who complain about your spelling can't tell the difference between a split infinitive and a dangling participle.

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I am not a biologist, but at least from a legal perspective, I think that the sitting chief executive has clarified that.

Sounds too close to political for me.

IBTL.

Just keep posting what you have been posting. I notice misuse of words and misspellings of words. Usually I say nothing about them. I may correct them when I quote their postings. I just correct the problem and do not usually take them to task about it. We all do it from time to time. Usually it is own own faults due to not roof reading.

My spelling is fine, but after I reread a post I made I find missing words I forgot to include, so I have to edit the post to add the missing words

I'm rather ambivalent about this. We are here for fun and if I can read and understand the post with no problem I'm good to go.

I know I burble a word or two here, it just happens no big deal



PS Chief I enjoy your posts, keep up the good work!

444 Magnum said:

My biggest pet peeve is this one, "I seen ..."
I hear what I assumed to be educated people saying that all the time.

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I seed that. Larry

Mule Packer said:

Chief, I certainly wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Heck, I'll bet most of the people who complain about your spelling can't tell the difference between a split infinitive and a dangling participle.

Click to expand...

ImprovedModel56Fan said:

I am not a biologist, but at least from a legal perspective, I think that the sitting chief executive has clarified that.

Sounds too close to political for me.

IBTL.

Click to expand...

............Don

...I can spelll, but I cant tipe sometimes. Maybe it's because the laptop is sitting on my prodigious belly as I attempt to communicate the thoughts I've thunk that have never been thunk before by any sentient creature.

Proofreading is tough for me because I know what I meant but can't see what I've said.

WHY DO YOU POST TOPICS IN CAPITALS
Indicates yelling.