Children are again to be subject to a rigorous examination in grammar. But why does it make adults so cross when other adults break the rules?
A new grammar and spelling test arrives in primary schools in England this week. It is the first time in a while that such emphasis has been put on grammar.
Some of the questions will seem straightforward for many adults, such as where to place a comma or a colon in a sentence. But other aspects – identifying different types of adverbs or distinguishing between subordinating and co-ordinating connectives – might raise eyebrows.
Grammar is not just an educational issue. For some adults, it can sabotage friendships and even romantic relationships.
The research arm of dating site OKCupid looked at 500,000 first contacts and concluded that “netspeak, bad grammar and bad spelling are huge turn-offs”. The biggest passion killers were “ur”, “r”, “u”, “ya” and “cant”. Also damaging to online suitors were “luv” and “wat”.
On the other hand, correct use of apostrophes was appealing. Using “don’t” and “won’t” caused better than average response rates – 36% and 37% respectively, according to the research.
Twist Phelan, an American writer who went on 100 online dates in 100 days and later married someone she met online, says grammar is a vital “filter system”. It shows care has been taken when sentences are grammatically correct. “If you’re trying to date a woman, I don’t expect flowery Jane Austen prose. But aren’t you trying to put your best foot forward?” Continue reading the main story
See: BBC
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Comments about this article
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:28
Hebrew to English
You know things are bad when Michael Rosen (a former Laureate) and even linguistic royalty David Crystal have both condemned the move.
David Crystal has actually written a critique of it on his blog:
http://david-crystal.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/on-testing-time.html
[Edited at 2013-05-14 18:... See more
You know things are bad when Michael Rosen (a former Laureate) and even linguistic royalty David Crystal have both condemned the move.
David Crystal has actually written a critique of it on his blog:
http://david-crystal.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/on-testing-time.html
[Edited at 2013-05-14 18:47 GMT] ▲ Collapse
Spain
Local time: 12:28
Spanish to English
+ ...
PS: Having looked at a sample of today's exam, I must admit that I didn't find it all that bad. Being able to identify adjectives, adverbs and prepositions and insert commas and periods correctly (never mind the b... See more
PS: Having looked at a sample of today's exam, I must admit that I didn't find it all that bad. Being able to identify adjectives, adverbs and prepositions and insert commas and periods correctly (never mind the blessed apostrophe!) doesn't seem all that much to ask and would certainly be a great help for anyone starting to study a foreign language. I think the main problem lies with the ideological drive behind any changes proposed in education and the fact that the politicians laying down the law rarely listen to those with real hands-on experience and knowledge of education and the drawbacks of the current system/s.
[Edited at 2013-05-15 08:35 GMT] ▲ Collapse
Local time: 11:28
French to English
+ ...
David Crystal has wrote? Er, Ty, perhaps you'd better take that test!
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:28
Hebrew to English
David Crystal has wrote? Er, Ty, perhaps you'd better take that test!
That's what you get for trying to write coherent English after almost 12 solid hours of translation. :-/
I was thinking "he wrote", wanted to type "he has written" and ended up with that! Now corrected!
[Edited at 2013-05-14 18:50 GMT]
Local time: 11:28
German to English
Those who seek to dictate the rules of grammar to others are entering a minefield from which there is no escape, as many have found to their cost. I once spent many happy hours working out how many shades of meaning could be put into the Beatles' lyric "I made the bus in seconds flat". I think I was into treble figures by the time I fell asleep...
"Boy, where's your grammar?"
"Gone to the pictures with Grandpa, Sir!"
Steve K.
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:28
Dutch to English
+ ...
Skills are good, but are not more important than (basic) knowledge. Had Einstein never learnt his basic formulae and axioms in physics and mathematics, he would not have developed his theories.
And... See more
Skills are good, but are not more important than (basic) knowledge. Had Einstein never learnt his basic formulae and axioms in physics and mathematics, he would not have developed his theories.
And no we are not all gifted when it comes to repeating and remembering rules, but it's a fact of life. A driving instructor is not going to wait for you to look up the traffic rules or a sign when you are doing your driving test, is he? ▲ Collapse
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