Years ago, I gave up reading the local newspaper (on a daily basis) because the lack of punctuation made it too difficult.  At first, I thought the editor must have been on vacation to let newspapers go on sale that way, but I learned it was a daily event.  (Even) now, no matter what newspaper or internet article I try to read, they share a common problem - the lack of proper sentence and paragraph construction. \n\nWhen I was in grade school, we were brow-beaten to learn that stuff.  We had to do it!  (And) when no other student seemed interested in learning to diagram sentences, I was challenged by that and learned.  \n\nTo read questions and details on Yahoo!Answers (and elsewhere) is strong eveidence (to me) that our school system is failing.  It seems, no matter what the educational level, people can not (or don't take the time to) construct questions, sentences, and paragraphs properly.  Why?
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!!!!
444631
So I said to the guy, "Here's what you have to do." \n\nAnd he responded, "What! Just tell me!?" \n\n"You have to start a new paragraph each time a different person speaks," I said. "Start each thing a person says with quotation marks, and end it with proper punctuation." \n\n"What's proper punctuation in this case?" he asked. \n\n"Well," said I, "it's a period or question mark at the end of a quotation if the sentence ends with the quotation or a comma if the sentence continues with more text." \n\n"Follow these rules," she bragged, "and use my writing as an example. I have been writing professionally for 20 years and guarantee that this is all accurate."
659973
I have a couple grammar suggestions for you:\n\n- I'm not sure if this happened because of Yahoo or if you typed it in this way, but you should only have capital letters at the beginning of a sentence or for proper nouns (like for a person's name, or for a place name like "Paris", or for a product name like "Colgate").\n\n- Also, punctuation is VERY important.  If you don't clearly punctuate your writing, it is hard to understand.  For example, make sure that you have periods at the end of each of your sentences so that readers will know where one thought starts and another thought begins.\n\nIn terms of the clarity of this paragrpah, I here are my thoughts:\n\n- Figure out what the main thing that you're trying to say in this paragraph is, and make sure to state that CLEARLY in your first sentence.  This helps the reader to know what to expect to read in the paragraph.  Based on what you're writtetn, in sounds like your main point is something about how advertising, especially TV advertising, has the potential to influence people's behavior.  I would use the next few sentences to explain, generally, how television advertisements have the potential to influence people (I would do this by explaining how advertising companies target certain ads to certain audiences during certain programs, etc).  I would then say "For example..." and use your example of the Colgate commercial having the potential to influence a child to behave like the child he or she saw in the commerical.  I would then suggest that you have a sentence at the end of your paragrpah that conlcudes your ideas and helps to prepare the reader for what he/she will read in your next paragraph (if there is one).\n\nHope this helps!!
44238
Technically, there is not a problem with literacy in the United States.  Virtually everyone can read and write.\n\nHowever, there are these people online who, it seems, cannot form a complete sentence.  I think mostly they are just kids and they are trying to seem 'cool'.  At least, I really hope so.\n\nJust because the United States is a literate country, though, does not mean that all literate people have good grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.  Unfortunately, good grammar skills seem to be growing more and more rare -- at least, it seems that way on sites like this.
345027
Maybe all of the above.  I don't understand it, either, and most of the sloppy typing I see here gives me a headache.  Either people don't pay attention in school anymore or standards have become lax.  It's also more than likely a lazy way of typing.  Some people think that to type quickly, one must use many abbreviations and short-cuts.  It isn't so.  I can type and text message perfect sentences with perfect spelling faster than my cousin can with the shortcuts.  (I type 75 wpm with 0 errors.)\n\nIncorrect spelling, puncutation and grammar does seem to be "in", but I hope you, like me, will not decide to get up with the times.  It was nice to be able to answer a question I could actually read.
290347
My pet hate is 'I done this or that...' We slaughter the English language. My nephew came home from school with a marked assignment which was to tell a story about his best holiday. Granted he is only 9 and his imagination and use of words was fantastic but his spelling, atrocious. His spelling mistakes were either not picked up or corrected incorrectly by his teacher.We were appalled as when questioned about this his teacher's reaction was 'We encourage imagination, not accuracy'. What! No wonder children cant put a sentence together if teachers cant.
565329
Same for me. It's difficult to read a book, articles, magazines and understand, to really grasp every word and sentence. But whenever i had to read something in school it took me a long time to get thought it, but i had no choice. I'm inpatient about it and it's hard to concentrate. Some things are harder to read than others. But right now I'm trying to read something I'm interested in and that's good cause reading something i don't like in the least in hell. I don't know what the problem is. I'm tired right now, so that probably doesn't help, but even in regular basis it's difficult for me to read. Assuming you have the same problem, I'm sorry but i don't know the answer to this except that i understand your difficulty and you asked if anyone had this problem too. :)
530558
~Try writing a cohesive sentence in English with some punctuation and capitalization and then I'd be glad to help you.\n\nOh, who am I kidding!  No I wouldn't.
602726
Lack of emphasis on its importance in primary schools and lack of active participation on the part of parents in their childrens' education. Yes, it does matter. Because:-\n\n1) Inability to spell and use punctuation reduces the ability to communicate effectively (just look at some of the incomprehensible answers given on this site).\n\n2) Arguably, ability to use the written English language (and mathematics) is indicative of an ordered, logical mind. However, that's not to say that the English language is logical. It isn't. Take trough and plough, for example.
217610
As a former teacher, I am very aware of misspellings and incorrect grammar.  However, computer short-hand for emails and texting on cell phones contribute to these problems.\n\nWe also went through a period of time in schools when too little emphasis was put on correct spelling and grammar. Schools were teaching "whole language" reading without the benefits of step-by-step phonics.  We are now reaping the products of that time.\n\nIn answer to your question, though, I haven't noticed a huge amount of improper spelling and grammar.  The spell-check available right at the answer box probably helps a great deal. I'm also fairly new to this site, so my opinion may change over time.
3788
Unfortunately, many people who use IM have developed the ability to ignore and even welcome bad spelling, grammar, and even coherence in their writing. It's a very disappointing problem, and I don't think it's going to go away any time soon. It's like they just don't see the need to write full sentences if there are no consequences for it, and the behavior of their peers just reinforces it.\n\n*sigh*\n\nYou can also tell that for many Yahoo Answers users, English is not their first (and in some cases second or third either) language. As long as I can make out a readable, intelligent question or answer, I don't mind so much if their writing is not perfect.
571086
Firstly, regarding the E: yes, it's a proper noun. \n\nSpellcheckers are heavily relied upon in many arenas of writing these days, unfortunately, and quite often these not-so-helpful tools are responsible for homophonic errors - quite and quiet, for example. Spellcheckers won't pick up omitted letters in correctly-spelt words either, which is frustrating when you've written a lengthy essay on fogs and their amphibious lifestyle. They often mis advise users to correct already-correct grammar. They are no substitute for a knowledge of English!\n\nI think the bottom line is kids today aren't taught grammar and spelling as rigourously as in previous generations, and there's less pressure for people to write well. I also believe that emphasis has been taken away from the importance of reading as a learning tool and placed on television and other mulitmedia modes. I think the fault lies with the education systems and their lack of attention to this matter. Thank you, Noam Chomsky. He postulated a theory that grammar is innate and need not be taught. He's wrong, clearly, but his ideas had a radical impact on the way education is delivered in many schools.\n\nBring back grammar and spelling lessons, and compulsory reading!
437373
Absolutely. I may only be 16, but I detest incorrect grammar. Why must anyone have an excuse for it? How can anyone misuse a little mark (the apostrophe)? Are they so stupid as to be outsmarted by the apostrophe and the simple rules that come with its use? I must admit that correct grammar is not taught properly (in my school, at least) at GCSE level. The only time I have come across a grammar lesson was for coursework requiring it! It isn't just you; I have noticed the decline in the use of the apostrophe, the semicolon, the colon and even the full stop! It's time we put an end to this and stand up against poor punctuation, grim grammar and substandard spelling. One area of debate, however, is that of the serial comma. . . I don't use it. . .
116953
I got kind of lost!! Don't you know about punctuation?\n\nI think you talk to much and too fast!!!
144052
Dude, I've read your question like 6 times and am still confused. How about correcting the grammar and spelling, then forming cohesive sentences.
571083
They're lazy.  That's all there is to it.  I'm surprised anyone in their right mind can read that gibberish.\n\nThe only reasons I take time to write properly are 1) I had several English teachers who were real sticklers for spelling & grammar, so much so that sometimes they counted for half my grade, and 2) force of habit due to #1.
411870
It ain't so! :) lol******* You aren't alone!\n\nIt gives me a headache trying to figure out where one sentence ends and the next begins. UGH...Don't get me wrong...I misspell an occasional word here and there but we are talking about "minor mistakes".