Grammatical Grumbling...

[Mr Mystery]

So, [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22403731]it seems that children are one again to be tested on their grammar[/url].

Seems kind of a good idea. Whilst I for one am happy to overlook the odd missing or misplaced punctuation, netspeak gets right on my pip, and I'd rather see it stamped out!

How about you?

[Wolfshade]

The preceeding comma before and is not required here.
If you had a list then it would be ok, e.g. I have a Warboss, A squad of Nobz, 4x30 slugga boyz, and a battlewagon.

[Psychosplodge]

So, [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22403731]it seems that children are one again to be tested on their grammar[/url].

Seems kind of a good idea. Whilst I for one am happy to overlook the odd missing or misplaced punctuation, netspeak gets right on my pip, and I'd rather see it stamped out!

How about you?

I'd have put once again.
It did always seem ridiculous to me that a test on English didn't really take punctuation and spelling into account.

[Mr Mystery]

There is a reason I never go fully grammar/spelling ****....

No matter the care I take, I end up with egg on my face!

[Wolfshade]

It is an unfortunate problem that as soon as someone mentions proper punctuation, their posts are then scanned ruthlessly for correct usage.
While I may be able to use grammar, my inability to spell is more problematic.

It is very frustrating though as every day signs irritate me, especially Birmingham City Council's removal of apostrophes from place and road names "in order to avoid confusion and people getting it wrong".

King's Norton -> Kings Norton
Acock's Green -> A***** Green

[Mr Mystery]

I think there's a big difference between not knowing your grammar, and simply making a mistake!

But yeah....I do question the wisdom of people who choose a company called something like 'ca$h4r£funds'..... Yes that is a slightly made up one to protect the innocent, only slightly mind...but really. Really really?

[Wolfshade]

Certainly, there are also problems when you move away from the hard rules to the more "stylistic" approach. Like the use of "like" instead of "as if" cited in the article, or the use of a preposition to start a sentance.

At one stage splitting infinitives was a big no-no, but now we are all very comfortable "to boldly go".

As much as I am a stickler for correct usage, the whole purpose of language is to make yourself understood and if your written words are understandable then it isn't too much of an issue. Despite how much it may frustrate me.

The over-corrections I find amussing, people who use whom instead of whom and who use I instead of me constantly.

[Mr Mystery]

And further [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22512744]there's a quiz now![/url]

I scored a slightly embarassing three out of ten....

[Wolfshade]

Just done it 10
For me the Hilary question was the most taxing.

We were just talking about this in the office

[Psychosplodge]

seven