I'm curious why people get angry when I correct their spelling errors
By LouieWpHs04
@LouieWpHs04 (4554)
United States
October 1, 2007 10:45pm CST
I find this silly. Why exactly do people get angry when I fix their spelling errors? I'm not doing it to be rude or anything, I just think. It's kind of helpful to know some of these things. It definitely wont look good on your resume that's for sure!
6 people like this
23 responses
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
2 Oct 07
When I make spelling errors here on myLot, I see every one of them.... right after my comment has posted.
There isn't much I can do about it then.
Being disabled I don't need no stinking resume....:)
3 people like this
@sheenmadness (1286)
• Philippines
2 Oct 07
Hello Louie,
Sometimes it cannot be avoided that no matter how good our intentions are, still we can offend somebody. Maybe it's the way on approaching or the terminologies we are using while correcting their wrong spelling or whatever that they've done wrong. It is very important that we will be more sensible on other's feeling. And let's try to figure out first the proper approach to tell that person his/her mistakes. Let's try to be more polite and try not to be subjective in the correcting errors.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85417)
• United States
2 Oct 07
It may annoy them, but you're doing them a favor. I wish you'd clue in some people around here how to spell and use 'lose' and 'loose'. I keep seeing people write that they are loosing something. I never have said anything, but it's an error people keep repeating.
@cassidy22 (2974)
• United States
2 Oct 07
Well, you need to realize a few things. First of all, English is NOT the primary language for a lot of folks on this forum.
Some people may know how to spell full well, but have poor typing skills, so they just let bad spelling slide because it takes so long to type something.
Thirdly, if you get the point they are making, then that's the purpose of this forum. Some people don't take well to others pointing out their flaws. And since this isn't an interview, or an editing session, they might not be interested in your advice. Since this is the web, you may not INTEND to be rude, but people may infer that your message is rude. You can't predict that!
1 person likes this
@LouieWpHs04 (4554)
• United States
4 Feb 08
Oh I wasn't talking about this forum, I was just saying in general. I never really correct anyone in this forum and usually the only place I actually correct people is in forums where I know the primary language is actually English. I do get bashed a lot when I correct people's spelling but eventually they'll learn, or should learn that I was only doing it to help them.
@ryanphil01 (4182)
• Philippines
2 Oct 07
It's because we could not please everybody. But I would take it as a great help if someone like you would rectify my work. I won't feel bad at all if others have corrected my spelling errors in my writings. I would highly appreciate it and with gladness I would accept my shortcomings. In the first place nobody's perfect.
2 people like this
@jasnhelsinki (69)
• Finland
2 Oct 07
I strongly agree with you, and usually I will be very happy if people correct my spelling mistakes. However sometimes it depends, on both the occasion and who the corrector is. Unless it's in very public or official occasion, I would say the correction is really a favor to me and will be greatly appreciated.
2 people like this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
1 Dec 07
"It definitely wont look good ..." Won't
Physician heal thyself.
all the best urban
@cr0ssf41r13 (866)
• Philippines
14 Mar 08
We have exactly the same situation. I pretty have a good vocabulary and my grammar doesn't stink. So, I have the courage to share my knowledge and help out people who are in need of some assistance. Other people find it rude that I correct whatever they write that is wrong. What can I do? I'm just trying to be helpful... and, I have done the job of a copyreader when I became the Editor-in-Chief of our petty school paper.
@youless (112103)
• Guangzhou, China
1 Mar 08
It's nothing wrong with you to do so. You have to understand that there are some mean people in this world. Last night I received a comment of my response. Hard to believe this person said the unkind words to me, although he is one friend in my list. Perhaps my response means nothing to him, but I do so as I want my friends to have more responses. No matter what, it is wrong to say things like that to me. I feel very hurtful. But anyway, just let it be and I won't respond anything to this one's discussions again. He's still in the list but he is no longer my friend.
@UnselfishShellfish (1306)
• United States
4 Dec 07
I hate it when people think that your and you're are the same word and can be used in the same way. You're is you and are. For instance, "You're going to have to sit down." or "If you know where you're going, it's easy."
Your is possession. "That is your ball." or "Your car looks great."
Simple, people!
@LouieWpHs04 (4554)
• United States
4 Feb 08
haha oh yes, that's usually my #1 correction I make to people...over...and over again! Some people still make the mistake even after I correct them..
@rposta07 (240)
• United States
22 Mar 08
You are right, it will help them to spell things correctly, but it is human nature to be irritated when we are told that we are wrong. People just don't like being criticized and I also think it makes them feel a little embarassed. they don't want to appear to be less intelligent than someone else. Its just human nature. I think most people also think that when you correct them, you somehow think you are better than them. I would just try not to correct people unless you are helping them with a paper or resume or some other important document. It will save you from arguments! lol
@dawnald (85136)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Mar 08
won't, not wont.... Hope you're not offended. But seriously, sometimes it's not the intention, it's how people take it. And some people don't like to be corrected. They don't care about spelling or grammar or aren't good at it and feel like you're pointing out their shortcomings. Best to either leave it alone or politely ask if it's OK first, I think.
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
16 Mar 08
Oh boy, do I relate to this one! Oddly enough, it is my partner who doesn't appreciate it... seems to think I am trying to show off or act superior. My partner is a person who likes to dominate so must always feel superior (probably due to a low self esteem)... and therefore doesn't like to be corrected!
Sometimes I get offended by the reaction as it comes across as an accusation when in fact all I am doing is helping with a letter or document that outsiders are going to handle (I don't correct anything else) to protect her from looking like an illiterate.
@Goatlady (159)
• Ireland
16 Mar 08
You are right, it is better to correct spelling mistakes. I know I appreciate it and often apologize when I make one, but usually, I make it when Im kind of tired. The other way of looking at it though, are is Kings English, or Queens English the more correct way to spell things? Does this depend on where you re from?
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
16 Mar 08
To a degree it does depend where you're from... for example. Here in Australia words with an o followed by an r often have a u inserted in between.. eg. favourite rather than favorite (as they would write in the US)... that in itself could be viewed as a spelling error when in fact it is just a spelling variation caused by different cultures. There would be no point correcting me for that particular spelling variation. Though I must admit, when I am on a forum where members are predominantly American, I do try to spell words the way they are accustomed to seeing them... not because I don't want to appear like I can't spell, but to avoid any confusion on their part.
Oh, another cultural spelling difference... when you give someone a check in payment of some item or service, here in Australia it is spelled cheque. That is one that used to confuse me a little.
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
2 Dec 07
If you are correting their spelling errors on chat or a forum..it really may upset people. In chats or forums..spelling really is not an issue. If, however, you are correcting their spelling on documents or assignments..I can see no wrong at all..It depents whether you go overboard and are always correcting..
There is a phrase "nobody likes a know it all"
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
1 Mar 08
I know, I know. This is an old discussion but let me just drop my 2 cents.
No everyone is a perfect speller. In fact, most people in this world cannot spoil that great. So unless you know someone well and you know he/she really wants to know where he went wrong, skip the being nice and helping to correct his errors part.
Also, it may sometimes just be a typo error so... just my thoughts.:P
@xleslieanne (692)
• United States
1 Dec 07
bad spelling irritates me. some people make errors every other word, it's unbelievable! if i'm talking to a friend on aim or something i'll usually politely correct their spelling. they make fun of me for it and everything, but just jokingly. but i wouldn't ever correct someone's spelling on a site like this because i don't know them and it usually does offend people for some reason.
@rashmigs (400)
• Singapore
1 Mar 08
Well, dont take things seriously... Its a nice thing that u r doing -trying to correct others mistake... Also, they are getting a chance to learn better and to rectify their mistakes.. But alas, they are a bit short tempered ppl i guess, So just ignore it. They are under loss... not you.
Silly people act silly ;)
Have a nice time!
@lala766 (239)
• United States
4 Feb 08
I think people feel like they are being put down or made fun of when people correct them. I think with it being online people can not tell if the corrections are sincere or sarcastic. I for one do not mind being corrected I figure it can only help me. I am sure I have plenty of spelling errors on mylot.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
29 Feb 08
because not all people love that they are corrected sometimes they feel insecure...many discussions and comments posted here have error, the one who posted it know that they made wrong but they can't edit it so they have no choice...i know i made some wrong spelling and because of this i have no right to correct others...the most important for me is the thoughts of someones's comments and discussions.
