Is it a problem with the schools?  Is it because kids don't read books but instead fester in the illiteracy on the internet?  I can understand using slang but most of the questions aren't even worded well enough to figure out what the heck is being asked.  \n\nAnyone?
215412
Galin, you are so right!! I am a stickler for correct spelling,punctuation,etc. Makes you wonder sometimes how much these people actually listen and retain what they hear in school. I am proud that you {a smart person} are on answers. Keep the comments coming!!
582776
Lack of education. Teachers lately feel Students should have good self esteem and that education is secondary.\n\nSo we'll end up with alot of cocky morons who can't spell.
357236
Poor spelling, bad grammar, dreadful sentence structure,  little or no understanding of punctuation and bad typing skills are all featured in a large proportion of the questions posted in Yahoo Answers. I can forgive people who don't speak English fluently, however, I fear we have a lot of English-speaking people with poor communication and writing skills and, unfortunately they have access to a computer.
334902
My two friends and I are both fourteen years old and we love books and are reading all the time, but I know that the vast majority of other kids our age have no interest in it at all and would rather be texting each other on their cells. I find it really sad when I find out people "hate" to read, because they're really missing out. \nAnd yeah, I do believe that our society needs to increase the need for literacy.
49260
I am bothered by anyone, from any nationality, over the age of 18, that cannot spell or read words from their own language. What bothers me more is the fact that many of them have completed grade school, high school and college and still cannot spell properly and apparently don't care enough to learn. There is something wrong with a school system that will pass children through who cannot read or spell correctly. There is something wrong with parents who do not take any actions when they realize the school system has failed and their child can't spell or read. There is also something wrong with the person who is willing to go through life unable to read or spell words from their own language. Hopefully our school systems will change the way they teach and go back to putting more emphasis on reading and spelling.
196903
YES! as a teacher I completely agree with you, although i must say I am guilty of doing it myself when using the internet. I abbreviate most words when typing on the net because it is easier, but unlike children I know the correct way of typing as well. There are many examples I have seen at school where the internet has caused a decline in grammar and spelling ability! Text messaging on phones does the same thing. Often I will mark stories that include words such as 'da, cos, ya,' and so on.  I was reading the kids a book the other day, it said "....the cheetah laughed out loud" one of the kids put their hands up and said "that's LOL" I questioned them and then realised what they meant. On the internet typing LOL means laugh out loud. It is a real worry. I see kids who can't spell or write properly but can chat on the internet using perfect 'net language'!!
562314
Why?   If this is for homework or a project, try looking it up on the internet, rather than asking other people to do it!\n\nGood luck!\n\nI sent you a message - hope you got it.   I suggested you ask your teacher to explain things again - they would rather pupils ask rather than struggle.   Also, I expect you are not the only one with problems - but you are probably the only one brave enough to admit it!\n\nGood luck.
359358
Because people dont read for themselves. They are told something when they are 5 and think they remember it, Or try to place the names through memory because they havent read it.
563278
It is funny to learn other people do this too. Family and friends have sort of made fun of me for it, but I have my reasons. First, I did it for a spelling bee and then second I wanted to expand my vocabulary. I love to read and it is quite difficult to read when you are younger and don't have a large vocabulary. The way to understand what I read was by looking up all the words I didn't understand and then writing down the definition and using it in context for other things. So, if you have studied either version (I have used both as well as in other languages) don't feel weird or nerdy, I have too.
282662
The need for literacy has always been the same, however, for people to actually follow through with becoming, and working with our children to become literate is an increasing problem in our society. more and more people grow up without the literary skills needed to get through life, and really succeed. I read every day to get information, and I am proud of that. I grew up without a television, and all I had was books! I think it should be that way for every child. They spend too much time in front of the T.V. while their brains are just developing and in the most need of literature, and people who are devoted to helping them learn. I love to read, it is the cornerstone of my development, and my future. And we all know, a building won't stand without a cornerstone of sorts! I also know though, there's nothing like hands on experience to help you understand what you read, if possible. It helps children connect the dots so to speak. (I am quite long-winded, lol, but I hope it'll help you out!)
216325
In the age of IM's and SMS texts, the youth of America seems to have adopted a "but you know what I mean" attitude on the topic, which I find disturbing, as well.\n\nFor those folks who throw their hands up in the air, and announce that they are "just bad spallars (sic)", please do the rest of us a favor and click the Check Spelling button pre-submission.\n\nI agree with you so very much.\n\nDo any of you remember Ray Bradbury's FARENHEIT 451 ?  It asserts that since we do all of our logical thinking in words, that limiting the vocabulary of the masses could, in turn limit their thinking.  It's interesting to see that the most unclear thinking seems to be posted in the most dubious syntax most of the time.
500761
I think it's not good.  This practice seems to be spreading.  Students are there to learn.  If their spelling isn't corrected how can it ever be reinforced?\n\nA lot of the education system has gone daft.
132874
Because most people are too busy using internet lingo. Also take into account the vast age range and the fact that not everyone is from English speaking countries. Often times people type like they talk, and some words may get omitted. Be tolerant and try to understanding.
218528
Blame the Internet, if you like, or parents, or cell phones, video games, or even the kids themselves. There is no easy answer. I used to work at a newspaper with a person who was pursuing (and now has earned) a degree in Journalism... and he had the word "committee" pasted to his computer because he couldn't remember how to spell it. My editor let me proof his articles because it took her too long to do it while she was on deadline - and he was older than I was! \n\nI think teachers try, but like you said... students aren't interested. Why should they be, when they can get on the Internet or their cell phones n tlk lk ths? y use cmms r vwls wn u cn rd ths? AARRGHHH!!!\n\nParagraphs seem to be completely beyond anyone's grasp (what's a topic change?), questions are anything that end with a question mark (or seven), and capital letters are a thing of the past. Have you visited the Books & Authors section of Y! Answers? There are tons of people there dying to be published who can't write a legible sentence (oops sorry, big word there). \n\nAnyway... I don't know how they get through. I wish I did. I wish I could motivate the world. Maybe you and I should start a non-profit organization for the managers of the world who are required to write reports on a daily basis and call it "English for the Educated but Ignorant."\n\nThanks for letting me rant!!!!
392957
I agree with you.  Many of the people asking questions are not what you would call intelligent. They are minimally educated and haven't got a clue about spelling, punctuation and grammar. They don't even have enough intelligence to realise how important good spelling is.
286240
To some extent it's true that schools seem to be getting more lax these days.  I cannot count the number of people who have not been made to learn the difference between 'to' and 'too;' 'it's' and 'its;' 'there,' 'their,' and 'they're.'\n\nOn the other hand, however, I believe it's also partly the environment.  I have many classmates in college who are able to write correctly and coherently in their papers, but as soon as they go online, all such grammar vanishes.  It's part laziness I think, and part lingo.  It's like using slang or an accent to show you belong.\n\nOf course, there's also the group of people who just never really learned to type.  Their sentences and spelling are messed up because they hit the wrong keys and don't see it or don't bother to fix it.
657936
Because a lot of people are "functionally illiterate", which means they understand each word they read, but they can't fit the words together to understand the big idea.  It's a very common problem in North America.  A lot of people on Yahoo Answers will zero in on a few words or phrases, and ignore the context of the question, or the way those words and phrases fit in with the greater whole.  Chalk it up to poor reading skills.