Grammar matters!

[Jadey]

Language, including grammar, is a constantly changing thing. People don't speak now the way they did 200 years ago. I think the internet is making these changes happen more rapidly. all lower case text, for example... I began to do this years ago on IRC when you had to keep up with conversations through typing. I write business emails and letters in proper case and punctuation, but that's about it. People I talk with online also do this all the time. How long do you think it will be that books will be published in all lower case, or kids can hand in papers like that?

On the other hand, my mom was an english teacher for many years, and it does bother me to read the word "alot" over and over when there is no such word. When an adult uses made up words, it gives the impression of illiteracy. Of course, with common usage, it (and others) will probably become a word.

[divibisan]

Grammar is definitely important. It's hard to read posts that that don't use punctuation or proper grammar.

Little errors aren't important (like your for you're or arent for aren't or me and I). They don't have to be perfect, but it's just considerate to use grammar and punctuation

Also, it's really bad when you have a big block of text without line breaks

Without G and P:
grammars definitely important its hard to read posts that that dont use punctuation or proper grammar little errors arent important like your for youre or arent for arent or me and i they dont have to be perfect but its just considerate to use grammar and punctuation also its really bad when you have a big block of text without line breaks

See how much easier it is to read with proper English.

[genghiscohen]

Former English major here.
And yes, I did get my BA in English.
Grammar can be important. I agree with the posters who regard it as a matter of context. I am not going to sweat the minor errors in posts here. But when I see blatant grammatical errors in print ads for colleges (!), I lose respect for those institutions.
Jadey's comment on the evolutionary nature of language is also a good point. One of the common sayings that has totally changed its (not "it's") meaning is "The exception that proves the rule."
The word "prove" meant "test" at the time that this phrase was coined. So an exception to a rule tested the rule's validity; it did not validate the rule!

[Valrus]

And don't even get me started on "Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

-the valrus

P.S. "I art down here! Throw me the car keys!"
-Dave Barry

*shudder*

[googolplex]

Valrus, grammar is often sacraficed for poetic beauty.

Which sounds nicer "Wherefor art thou romeo"

OR

"Where the hell are you romeo"

[scruffy]

Yes, languages change, so that what was a terrible error becomes correct soon enough. And I'm moving into the future of the English language kicking and screaming all the way!

Really, most changes don't bother me too much. But I will continue to use lay and lie correctly to the day I die, even if the language changes 100% so I'm the one using them incorrectly. And I have asked my girlfriend to smother me in my sleep if I start using task as a verb.

[googolplex]

How do you use task as a verb?

tasking? tasked? to task?

[scruffy]

Originally posted by googolplex
Valrus, grammar is often sacraficed for poetic beauty.

Which sounds nicer "Wherefor art thou romeo"

OR

"Where the hell are you romeo"

The former. Note that both are fully grammatically correct. They also don't mean the same thing at all - wherefore means why.

"Wherefore art thou Romeo? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Doesn't make much sense if she's talking about his location. She means:
"Why do you have to be Romeo Montague (of the Montagues my parents want to kill)? You'd be just as wonderful if you had some other last name."

I quite like the different forms of address. Knowing the difference between 'you' and 'thou' lets you get different levels of formality across without knowing any elaborate social rituals (which probably change from place to place), just basic grammar. Just like 'du' vs. 'Sie' in German or 'tu' vs. 'vous' in French.

Interestingly, one of the reasons the Quakers fled England for America was that they were persecuted for using 'thee' and 'thou' with everyone - they refused to use the formal 'ye' and 'you' even with priests, nobility, etc. Just by the choice of pronouns, they could constantly reinforce their message - we are equals, there is no rank that matters here on Earth.