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Originally Posted by wasleys
coolpaggy,
I think you have misunderstood me. I'm talking about when people come across a word (eg in A&A), don't know what it means (hardly surprising as some of the words there are somewhat esoteric), and then appear to guess at a meaning instead of looking it up.
Michael
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Michael, I am sorry for saying this in advance, but were you not supposed to address Coolpaggy with a capital "c". It's the first word of your sentence so I presume it would have been appropriate. Apart from that it's Coolpaggy's TM name, hence by addressing him with a capital "c" you would have shown more respect. (Btw. to be really precise, you used a small letter for Arjmen too, but not for Knok).
I mean, please have a look at this: "michael, I think you've got a good point". Or: "Michael, I think you've got a good point". Which one do you like better?
Admittedly, my comment above is a bit provocative. Yet I believe that the best way of showing others how to write properly on this forum would be by setting a good example ourselves. I am certain you know what I mean.
As to the other issue you've raised: I am not sure whether people who use improper English expressions do so because they are lazy to look them up in the dictionary (or google it, as you say). What if they aren't aware of such misuse in the first place? Why would they want to browse dictionaries if they believe their word choice is correct. I, a non-native English speaker, must have done countless mistakes, maybe already in this post. Still a dictionary wouldn't have helped for I didn't even realize I made mistakes.
On the whole though, I agree with you and others that the level of English used on the forum is sometimes below acceptable. I can't stand the follwoing: "cud u plz msg me, thx". It looks as if one wasn't even worth the time and effort of the writer to use all the letters. Usually, I do not reply to such things.
Maybe it would not do any harm if the TM moderators (or others with accepted authority) once in a while reminded all the TMian community how to write in a proper way. I know Erin has done so on many occassions and I've always appreciated it.