Spelling Lessons

[u2sarajevo]

I don't want to seem pretentious with this. I just thought, perhaps, every once and a while there might be a specific word that needs to be spelled the correct way in hopes of curbing the embarrassing mis-spelling of that word. This could apply to a single poster or a group of posters. It's understandable to accidentally mis-spell a word here and there, that's not what this thread is for. This is for a word that is being constantly mis-spelled post after post after psot (see there, I just mis-spelled post but that wouldn't be a candidate because obviously I know how to spell it from the prior two entries).

[u2sarajevo]

The first word is maybe.

It is NOT spelled M-A-B-E-Y, but spelled M-A-Y-B-E.

[Big Boy Laroux]

can we get a lesson on then/than and there/their/they're?

[mary]

your = possession

you're = you are

Unfortunately, this is one of my most common typos.

[u2sarajevo]

Originally Posted by Big Boy Laroux

can we get a lesson on then/than and there/their/they're?

Well that's a great question and a gray area exists whether or not that is a Spelling problem or a Dictionary issue. The actual truth probably lies somewhere in-between.

I think it is warranted, however. I don't have time right now, but will dissect that later as a public service.

[sixeightmkw]

this is a forum, not a college paper. I really don't caer (haha) if I mis-spell a word or too (haha). I am in too big a hurry to do spell check.

[Rhylan]

u shutup u2. i liek Micheal Finely and nic Van Excel.

I am sure I will provide a purposeful contribution to this thread eventually.

[ocelot_ark]

If in doubt:

We are going to their house to watch the game.
Their house is over there.
They're not going to like it when I use their restroom.

[sixeightmkw]

Originally Posted by ocelot_ark

If in doubt:

We are going to their house to watch the game.
Their house is over there.
They're not going to like it when I use their restroom.

yeah, cause I'm gonna clog that sh*t up.

[Bookit]

How many times have you heard the Mavs are going to "loose" this game?

[sixeightmkw]

Originally Posted by Bookit

How many times have you heard the Mavs are going to "loose" this game?

yeah, it's like a knot and they have to loosen it up a bit.

[Murphy3]

nowitski

[chumdawg]

Resign, when the word the person wants is re-sign.

[kg_veteran]

It's ridiculous, not rediculous.

[orangedays]

Originally Posted by kg_veteran

It's ridiculous, not rediculous.

...or redirkulous.

[sixeightmkw]

Originally Posted by orangedays

...or redirkulous.

thats kalled a plaa on werds. (tee hee)

[Drbio]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

The first word is the word maybe.

It is NOT spelled M-A-B-E-Y, but spelled M-A-Y-B-E.

OMG thank you....that has been driving me freaking nuts.

[Drbio]

Hey U2....is it a gray area or a grey area?

[u2sarajevo]

Okay, it's lunchtime... or otherwise known as SPELLING TIME!!!!
First let me define the terms, then we will see examples in a sentence for more explanation:

then
adv.

1. At that time: I was still in school then. Come at noon; I'll be ready then.
2. Next in time, space, or order; immediately afterward: watched the late movie and then went to bed.
3. In addition; moreover; besides: It costs $20, and then there's the sales tax to pay.
4. Used after but to qualify or balance a preceding statement: The star was nervous, but then who isn't on the first night of a new play.
5. In that case; accordingly: If traffic is heavy, then allow extra time.
6. As a consequence; therefore: The case, then, is closed.

than

1. Used after a comparative adjective or adverb to introduce the second element or clause of an unequal comparison: She is a better athlete than I.
2. Used to introduce the second element after certain words indicating difference: He draws quite differently than she does.
3. When. Used especially after hardly and scarcely: I had scarcely walked in the door than the commotion started.

Examples of proper use:
then - I cried when the Mavericks lost and then I got another Beer.
than - Jason Terry shoots the 3 point shot better than Antoine Walker.

there/their/they're -

there
adv.
1. At or in that place: sit over there.
2. To, into, or toward that place: wouldn't go there again.
3. At that stage, moment, or point: Stop there before you make any more mistakes.
4. In that matter: I can't agree with him there.

pron.
1. Used to introduce a clause or sentence: There are numerous items. There must be another exit.
2. Used to indicate an unspecified person in direct address: Hello there.

adj.
1. Used especially for emphasis after the demonstrative pronoun that or those, or after a noun modified by the demonstrative adjective that or those: That person there ought to know the directions to town.
2. Nonstandard. Used for emphasis between a demonstrative adjective meaning “that” or “those” and a noun: No one is sitting at that there table. Them there beans ought to be picked.

n.
That place or point: stopped and went on from there.

interj.
Used to express feelings such as relief, satisfaction, sympathy, or anger: There, now I can have some peace!

their -
adj. The possessive form of they.

1. Used as a modifier before a noun: their accomplishments; their home town.
2. Usage Problem. His, her, or its: “It is fatal for anyone who writes to think of their sex” (Virginia Woolf). See Usage Note at he1. See Usage Note at they.

they're -

Contraction of they are.

Examples of proper use:

there - Terry, pass the ball to Dirk over there.
their - Maverick fans love their team.
they're - If the Mavericks are going to beat the Spurs they're going to have to play defense for all 4 quarters.

This activity reminded me of something I meant to point out in the original post above: If you are unsure of the correct spelling or use of a particular word.... you can always visit Dictionary.com to see if you can get the answer. I bet it would "fix" 99% of the spelling errors on this board. And props to kg for bringing up the next word that was on my list of lessons.

[u2sarajevo]

Originally Posted by Drbio

Hey U2....is it a gray area or a grey area?

Either form of the word is acceptable. Officially, grey is a variant of gray. Good question though, and positive rep to you for providing that insightful question.

[chumdawg]

U2, often I am unsure whether to use "different from" or "different than," as in: The Mavs are different from/than the Spurs. How do you recommend I solve this conundrum?

[u2sarajevo]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

U2, often I am unsure whether to use "different from" or "different than," as in: The Mavs are different from/than the Spurs. How do you recommend I solve this conundrum?

That wouldn't really fall into a "spelling lesson" type realm. Unlike the their/they're/there, and the than/then question posed earlier, the two words sound and are spelled in no similar way. Therefore a new thread would be required to answer this question.

[u2sarajevo]

This one is a bit of a grey/gray area:

The term whatsoever:

It is spelled W-H-A-T-S-O-E-V-E-R and most certainly not O-N-C-E-S-O-E-V-E-R

Take a look at this recent post and we will replace the "misspelled" word with the correct word and see if it makes a difference:

"It wasn't a bite. I saw no teeth oncesoever. From my sight it looked as if Horry was trying to get untangled with Stackhouse and Stack wasn't letting ago but soon as Horry did his little bite impersonation that's when Stack let go."

That just doesn't sound right does it? Let's try this sequence of words instead:

"It wasn't a bite. I saw no teeth whatsoever. From my sight it looked as if Horry was trying to get untangled with Stackhouse and Stack wasn't letting ago but as (Editor's note: I added as to this sentence so it could be understood by all) soon as Horry did his little bite impersonation that's when Stack let go."

There, that is much better.

[sixeightmkw]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

This one is a bit of a grey/gray area:

The term whatsoever:

It is spelled W-H-A-T-S-O-E-V-E-R and most certainly not O-N-C-E-S-O-E-V-E-R

if someone spells it oncesoever, they are absolutely a dumb ass.

[orangedays]

It is "Judgment"...not "Judgement"

(GB & colonies thing)

[orangedays]

Grey/gray area:

It is "regardless" - not "irregardless"

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

That wouldn't really fall into a "spelling lesson" type realm. Unlike the their/they're/there, and the than/then question posed earlier, the two words sound and are spelled in no similar way. Therefore a new thread would be required to answer this question.

One might consider the others to be usage questions as well.

[EricaLubarsky]

The mavs/dirk/insert player name here should try and win/do something

try to...

[u2sarajevo]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

One might consider the others to be usage questions as well.

Yes...
True....

But I'm giving the poster(s) in question the benefit of the doubt and asuming they just misspelled the word.

And yes, I know what happens when you assume.

[sixeightmkw]

you make an ASS OUT OF YOU AND ME< HHHAAAAA

[u2sarajevo]

Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the betterment of the team.

[mary]

Originally Posted by orangedays

It is "Judgment"...not "Judgement"

(GB & colonies thing)

Hmmm...are you sure "judgement" is not an alternative spelling?

[AnMan21]

one i can't stand, even though it's not a spelling problem, is:

"i could care less" ....... no you "couldn't care less" - if you could care less, then do so. assuming of course, that you're trying to imply you're not bothered by the situation at hand - which is generally the case.

[orangedays]

Originally Posted by mary

Hmmm...are you sure "judgement" is not an alternative spelling?

I'm glad you brought that up mary

"Judgement" is indeed an alternative spelling but it is associated with the United Kingdom and its colonies (where "judgment" is the accepted American English spelling). Technically, if someone were to spell the word "judgement" with an "e", then they should also use "organi_s_ation", "colo_u_r", and "defen_c_e" (for consistency's sake).

[mary]

Originally Posted by orangedays

I'm glad you brought that up mary

"Judgement" is indeed an alternative spelling but it is associated with the United Kingdom and its colonies (where "judgment" is the accepted American English spelling). Technically, if someone were to spell the word "judgement" with an "e", then they should also use "organi_s_ation", "colo_u_r", and "defen_c_e" (for consistency's sake).

Thanks for clearing that up...in that case I'm quite sure I've been misspelling it.

That reminds me of an Eddie Izzard joke.

Why do the English pronounce the word "herbs" like "h-e-r-b-s", while Americans say "e-r-b-s"?























Because it has a ****ing "H" in it!

Sorry, that was probably only funny to me.

My apologies to U2 for getting sidetracked in this very serious spelling lesson.

[Thespiralgoeson]

"Favorite" or "favourite"?

[ocelot_ark]

Originally Posted by mary

Thanks for clearing that up...in that case I'm quite sure I've been misspelling it.

That reminds me of an Eddie Izzard joke.

Why do the English pronounce the word "herbs" like "h-e-r-b-s", while Americans say "e-r-b-s"?

Because it has a ****ing "H" in it!

Sorry, that was probably only funny to me.

My apologies to U2 for getting sidetracked in this very serious spelling lesson.

I can not BELIEVE that mary cussed! what's the world coming to?

[mary]

Oh well, the edited version is not nearly as funny.

I apologize. I was doing it for a greater cause.

[Big Boy Laroux]

my favorite from last year.

Micaheal Finely made us loose this game.

[Drbio]

I'm wishing that murph knew how to spell "motto", after all if you are going to post three year old news in your signature, it should at least be spelled correctly.