Perfect grammar or not by accident or design?

United States
February 27, 2013 5:55pm CST
Here at mylot some of us write different here. I notice some folks write 'of' instead of 'have or 've'. What I mean is: Would of instead if would have or would've Could of Should of I'm wondering if they do it for fun or if they don't know the word is usually used as a contraction which sounds like would of, should of and so forth. While I would never use of for have or to replace a contraction I do like to shorten some words. I like to say wanna for want to and cause or cuz for because. Are there any language variations that you use for fun, for convenience or for other reasons? Please share what you do and why you do it. I think most of us like to write the way we talk. I say 'cuz' when I talk rather than because. Now when I write for pay I use only correct grammar. When I am out and about I speak in proper speech, but when at home I speak in a more laid back southern dialect. What about you? Do you always write in perfect grammar? Do you always talk with perfect grammar? Or are you more laid back with your language skills on purpose? Your take?
1 person likes this
12 responses
• United States
1 Mar 13
I've noticed a lot of people do this too, and not just on mylot. I think they use 'of' because they really don't know or realize that 'of' sound in 'would've' is really a contraction of 'have'. One time in high school my friend and I were comparing our english homework assignment on grammar and she tried to correct one of my answers to 'could of'! I then had to explain to her why my answer was correct and the whole contraction thing. I don't always type in perfect grammar, I do use a few shortcuts, but my grammar is never incorrect when it comes to the use of the could've contractions or the correct form of 'your' and 'you're'. Another thing a lot of people actually say is 'I seen' instead of 'I've seen' or 'I saw'. I don't think people do those types of things for fun or convenience, I just think that not everyone is good at grammar, just like not everyone is good at math or science. Math and science aren't my favorite subjects but I do love grammar. But it's annoying how annoyed I can get sometimes when people speak or write with extremely bad grammar lol
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Mar 13
Yes it is annoying for me to see poor grammar in professional writing. I earn between $150 and $200 a month from my writing so it has to be error free. I just play here at mylot so. I try to use correct grammar except when I feel like taking shortcuts.
• United States
6 Mar 13
Yeah I like that too. It's a way to let my personality show, I guess.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
5 Mar 13
I know I don't type in perfect grammar. Our education here is horrible I use to get extra help in school thankfully I did. I know a few I went to school with who can't spell cat or know now and the difference. I usually type and talk the same way, but with this stupid computer I cant put commas or anything like that which irritates me
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Mar 13
Really? Your computer doesn't do commas? I tend to write (on here) the way I talk just because its my voice, so to speak. I know when I'm using incorrect spelling or grammar. Lately I have started posting (misspelling intentional) so no one thinks in stupid. Like when I have to type to get by the filter, I will now clarify that I know I have typed something wrong. Do you have problems with any of the letters? I'm just wondering since some punctuation isn't working. A friend of mine had problems once that she couldn't put a hard return in her typing. She could wrap text but the return button wouldn't work.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
8 Mar 13
Yep, some letters don't work. I remember back when I was in college, when I first got a laptop (bought it), it switched something on. A simple button on the kayboard, and you need to push say alt, cont whatever. But they want you to pay for them to do it, not worth my time and effort. Or it's not the right key, I just learnt to type with it. So when I get on another computer, Im so confused.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Feb 13
most people do it because they don't know it is wrong, then there is slang that deliberately misuses words.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Feb 13
cool I wrote 3 today
• United States
28 Feb 13
I do mine purposely for fun in expressing myself on a site like this. I would never dream of writing that way orofessionally. I have 3 articles I want to write tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
6 Mar 13
I was educated quite well so I consider that I write and speak correctly most of the time. I do use colloquialisms but I think that's an Australian thing. I think people say/write would of because they believe that's what the correct usage is. I cannot understand why people say I could care less when they obviously mean they could NOT care less.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Mar 13
That's another one I thought of that you just said. I could care less implies you could care less than you do. In other words you care. Every now and then I will hear one or read one that makes me scratch my head a little.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (160216)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Feb 13
I try to write with good grammar, it is rarely perfect. I do have some pet peeves and if I am going to have them I figure I should atleast try to use some what good grammar. I do seem to write the wrong word on occasion and I hope I get it changed before I post. I like to see the language used well. But we are only human.
@celticeagle (160216)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Mar 13
My mom would correct me continually. I pick up the slang I am around. I like it. I think it is because I want to fit it. I really try to write well and even to edit. I sure hate it when I read foreigners writing incorrectly. I want to comment and correct them but I hold myself back. I even thought of writing an article/blog to post on the site I am on now. I see it all the time and wonder if their work counted toward payout or if anyone cares but me. Ugh!
• United States
28 Feb 13
Good grammar comes easily for me when writing professionally. One common mistake is with the word 'if.' Many people would sai 'if I was...' When it is 'if I were' like if I were rich I would help the poor. My mom used to scold me for making grammatical mistakes in my speech when I was a kid. As an adult she scolded me for using southern slang. Like when I finished a job my mom wanted me to do, she would ask if I did it. I would say 'I done did it.' It was just habit from emulating the people around me. Lots of southern country folks talk back woodsy. I do it too but I know not to do that in my professional writing.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
28 Feb 13
I write as correctly as possible although anything goes here. These concessions will eventually have a toll on my writing style. Being a freelancer, I cannot afford to use terms like 'cuz' for 'because' and so on as there is a fear that they will creep into my vocabulary unknowingly.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
1 Mar 13
We all do it, in that although I sometimes see some mistakes I let them pass as myLot does not mind!
• United States
28 Feb 13
I can see if English isn't your first language that could be a concern. Having taught ESL to beginning students, words don't mean much at first. However, someone who is fluent would know slang is slang and not proper writing for professional purposes. I make a good portion of my living from freelance writing, and there is no crossover from slang to professional writing. Mylot is the one of the places where I can 'let my hair down', so to speak.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
28 Feb 13
I say "gonna" and sometimes write it here and other places where it doesn't matter as much as writing for hire. I can't remember if there's more or not, but probably. I know that I sometimes make mistakes unintentionally, too! When I talk, I sound like a hillbilly. Not that there's anything wrong with hillbillies, but it's a good thing people can't hear me.
• Canada
28 Feb 13
Hi Peavey you sure have got a giggle from me. I really try to use good grammar too,and like you I explain myself but I am sure when someone else reads about the hillbilly part they too will get a chuckle,(I am not laughing at you by the way) I sometimes think I sound like a hillbilly too! Good grammar is very tricky!
@peavey (16936)
• United States
28 Feb 13
Yes, good grammar can be tricky! I have a good excuse because I originally came from Oklahoma, but I've been gone a long time.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Feb 13
I sound a little back woodsy myself when I'm just talking among family and friends.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
28 Feb 13
If I use incorrect grammar, it's usually to make a point. Which is not to say that I don't make mistakes...
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Mar 13
Here at Mylot it's just for fun for me, so sometimes I say things like gonna and shoulda. It's just to write in my natural voice.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
28 Feb 13
I try my best to provide perfect grammar with all my responses. But I am guilty if slipping a few times, only realizing it as soon as I hit the submit button. Anyway, with regards to the usage of words that you mentioned, I guess some are not just too familiar with the English language. I don't want people to think I am mean by saying it, but really, not all people here at Mylot are Native English speakers so they must have just used those words thinking that it is was the right choice of words.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Feb 13
I'm not referring to non-English speakers/writers. No these are native speakers I've noticed. Nothing is wrong with it, I'm just asking what others do. I wrote what I do.
@Angelpink (4035)
• Philippines
28 Feb 13
Hi ! We have our different styles in writing and sometimes because we have a time table we always commits a typographical error especially if it was already night and we forced to fight the sleepiness we felt . I am not in favor of writing cuz or some abbreviation because in my mind this is a writing site and not text messaging , therefore i should practice writing the correct way though many times i committed an typographical error but i am striving to really learn and improve my grammar.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Feb 13
True. When I am tired I can hardly make myself be here. I get very fatigued. My mind doesn't work right when I am fatigued. Don't have any words in my head.
• United States
28 Feb 13
I am glad that most mylotter can read what we mean and not what we type as sometimes my fingers do not type what my brain says to type. I know I should proofread all my work but I get lazy.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Mar 13
I think we are all like that at one time or another.
@chikapet (47)
28 Feb 13
I think some people do not do it intentionally, because English is not their first language.Like i have read in some threads some people are here to practice English writing.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Feb 13
No. I did not have ESL in mind when I wrote this discussion. I had only Native English people in mind. Maybe I should have clarified that do that folks wouldn't automatically assume I am targeting people with ESL.