Skip Navigation
126 comments
  • I think outside of highly formalized writing (usually found exclusively in academia) grammar only matters to the extent that it doesn't interfere with the voice of the author.

    It matters because it makes things easier to read. A wall of text with no punctuation or capitalization is difficult to parse, both for the reader and for the writer if they need to go back and make changes.

    On the other hand, punctuation can be used incorrectly to convey things that might be part of how the author speaks. Examples being: using ellipsis to indicate trailing off at the end of a sentence, perhaps because you're still trying to find words to finish the thought, or using parentheses to indicate a slight tangent or clarifying statement, or failing to use a period at the end of a text message to indicate a softer tone and an openness to a response.

    Capitalization and misspellings can be used similarly. Such as intentionally misspelling a word to indicate that it should be pronounced differently than usual, or capitalizing all or part of a word to add emphasis.

    TLDR: Proper grammar matters for clearly conveying information, but intentionally breaking grammatical rules is a good way to add your voice, personality, and tone into your writing. And that is more important than being technically correct.

  • Conversational/informal English, there are no rules and anything goes, speak/type however the fuck ya want. if you wouldn't wear a tuxedo to the gas station you don't need 100% proper punctuation and sentence structure for internet shitposting

    written formal English, yeah I personally will judge you if you use the wrong "there/their/they're," but maybe future generations will collectively decide on one universal spelling cuz it's just fuckin easier, and that's fine! languages evolve no matter how much grumpy old women like me enjoy removed/memeing about it lol

  • Even if someone says "irregardless" or "I could care less", I don't say anything because I still understand what they mean.

    • I've always argued for the side of "if your point comes across and is understood as intended, your grammar or lack thereof, does not matter in the slightest"

  • To anyone who has a problem with singular they:

    Roses are red, violets aren't blue
    Singular they is older than singular you

  • I work in a job with contractual language and care deeply about the placement of every comma in that context.

    Outside that in everyday life, I don't care about any grammer rule so long as I can understand the writer's intent.

  • Most of it. I don't know how people find the energy to give a shit about grammar in informal settings. If I can understand the meaning it's good enough for me.

  • Using "they" as singular. Also, referring to animals besides humans as "he," "she," or "they" instead of "it."

    I usually am a grammar nazi, but these are things I do very intentionally.

126 comments