https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 02 May 2026 08:45:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-875276 Tue, 12 Mar 2013 03:56:44 +0000 Karie 875276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As a Reading/English teacher, I completely understand! It's one of my pet peeves too! (OK, I'll stop). But the worst is when people start sentences with prepositions. Or they don't write a complete sentence. Or they can't spel. </p> <p>ALL CAPS. THAT ONE REALLY BUGS ME. And texting language, don't get me started, LOL.</p> <p>In all seriousness, I really do have a lot of pet peeves when it comes to language. On forms like this I try not to let it bother me (except for spelling), as it's all in good fun and more like a conversation. I have been guilty of more than my share of ! and anyway. So as long as we all check our spelling, I'll be happy!! (Oops.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-874038 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 02:41:25 +0000 Mo 874038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've really appreciated and enjoyed reading everyone's response to this thread. Again, it's a personal little quirk of mine, and I would never expect anyone to censor themselves on my account. Just brought it up - and maybe those who might not even be aware that they were 'exclaiming' facts on their post titles might see how it could come across to the average reader (look at me!!). Again, I completely get using these to show emotion in responses. My point was never about that. And so I will leave it. Happy posting all! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-873200 Sun, 10 Mar 2013 12:27:37 +0000 Traci 873200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been more conscious of this since reading this thread and I think I've figured out for myself why the ! is important in online communications like this.</p> <p>It can be so hard to discern tone in a quick post or email. I write on message boards, personal emails and text in the same way I speak, rather than in the way I speak if I'm presenting to a group of professionals. I want my conversational voice to come through here in the same way it would if I were chatting in real life with girlfriends. When I have casual conversation in person, I use my hands alot (I wonder if my use of the non-word "alot" will be cringeworthy for some!) and my face is very expressive. I guess maybe I'm just accustomed to having a little something more than just words to make my point.</p> <p>I hear the excitement in my words in my head and I add that excitement with punctuation. I think the rules of official written language and the rules of casual written language are different, just like we hear a difference between official spoken language and off the cuff speaking. I actually LIKE that there is a discernible difference in the two types of communication so that I can tell what sort of discussion I'm involved in. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-872938 Sat, 09 Mar 2013 23:03:57 +0000 Nicole D 872938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I know what you mean about being taken the wrong way, Mo. I don't have a problem with exclamationosis but I rarely use abbreviations (like I always write Hahahaha instead of LOL beacuse I feel like LOL spells "loll" and what I want to convey is laughter which sounds like "Hahahaha"), or make faces with punctuation, because I actually find them hard to understand a lot of the time and I don't want to put the wrong face into a post or email.<br /> BUT it doesn't bother me at all when others use LOL or IMO or put a little face on their email. I just don't do it personally.<br /> I like to hear other people's pet peeves. Keep 'em coming. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-870589 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:48:07 +0000 Anonymous 870589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Merci.<br /> (Oh, wait, that's French). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-869954 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 04:29:07 +0000 Mo 869954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>He he, Zap, one could argue my whole post was not important at all! ;)</p> <p>By the way, you have wonderful command of the English language. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-869585 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:50:49 +0000 Anonymous 869585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Edited- not important at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-869559 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:24:01 +0000 Aziraphale 869559@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Preaching to the choir, my dear.</p> <p>But I try to ignore it. Lack of understanding of the finer points of style (writing style, that is) is common, and does not always indicate a lack of general intelligence. And although I do tend to value intelligence, it's not the<em> only</em> thing I value. People have many qualities to offer. So although the grammar stickler part of my brain might be screaming STOP THE EXCLAMATION POINT ABUSE, the nicer part is quietly reminding it to give the writer the benefit of the doubt. :-)</p> <p>On the whole, in fact, I feel the writing quality on this forum is quite high. The odd time I've scrolled through other comments on the internet (like, say, in the comments section of a YouTube video), my grammar stickler brain centre has apoplectic fits. Clearly not everybody learns to write properly in school. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-869374 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:12:59 +0000 Susie 869374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This post is cracking me up because no one uses more exclamation points than my husband! Though not in his professional correspondence thank goodness. </p> <p>I don't think I will tell him that using multiple exclamation points is girly and feminine because I find it endearing and don't want him to stop. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-869276 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:17:46 +0000 Gaylene 869276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well put, Mo, about how disliking the look of crocs with socks is not the same as disliking someone's feet, or disliking socks, or even disliking crocs. And Angie is right that everyone can express themselves however they wish on this forum as long as the comments are respectful.</p> <p>I've never forgotten my third-grade teacher's admonishment that an exclamation mark was the written equivalent of a friendly jab on the shoulder, used sparingly to add emphasis to a statement. In this forum, when I see "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", I try to assume that those jabs are dainty, lady-like feints, so my (metaphorical) arm doesn't get too sore. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-868965 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:50:02 +0000 Angie 868965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my goodness, Zap. Your English is perfect! I am constantly astounded at how well the people who have English as a second and third language express themselves. Inge, Astrid and Ornella come to mind. AMAZING. </p> <p>Thanks for your thoughts, Katiepea. I feel very exuberant you through your writing and that's powerful. I wouldn't have it any other way. </p> <p>This is a fashion and style forum and not a grammar and language forum. Please do not feel bad about how you express yourself and do not stop using exclamation marks if that is your writing style. As long as your comments are respectful, that is all that counts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-868611 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 04:18:23 +0000 Anonymous 868611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never heard this one before, especially for online communications. I do use lots of exclamation points amongst other offending characters. I will keep it in mind.</p> <p>I just want to remind everyone that English is not my first language, so I ask for a bit of tolerance, if possible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve/page/2#post-868540 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 02:38:33 +0000 ironkurtin 868540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I write and edit for a living, so of course I pick up on these things. I do understand that living language doesn't always follow the Chicago Manual of Style. It's just that sometimes I wish it did. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867826 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:45:20 +0000 MNsara 867826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Found it and I love it:</p> <p>"April - I know what you mean. Exclamation points really do help. I'm not at all an "upbeat" person, but I use them to keep my e-mails from sounding too blunt.</p> <p>However, in my work, when the little girls write to us, I sometimes fear that they will use up the entire world's worth of exclamation points in one e-mail. They love the exclamation point!!!!! Why use one when you can use ten?!!!!!!! Exclamation points rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "</p> <p>It's from this 2-year oldie, but goodie, thread:</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/real-life-you-vs-internet-you" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ternet-you</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867820 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:39:25 +0000 MNsara 867820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm happy to see the additional clarification, as I love adding exclamation points and faces to punctuate what I say. IRL, I'm always using my hands and facial expression while speaking. To not add the silly extras when writing would be like sitting on my hands while talking! </p> <p>I'm off to look up an old thread where Tarzy discussed exclamation points. . .</p> <p>P.S. IK - I love the ellipses but always wonder if I put a space before the first . and one after the last . or not, and if I'm not in Word there's no one to correct me . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867644 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:35:25 +0000 Katiepea 867644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very nice analogy Mo. </p> <p>Thank you for clarifying and being supportive of those afflicted by emoticon-itis or exclamatoria (such as myself). Shall turn my sad frown upside down. x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867617 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:16:13 +0000 Mo 867617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay,it seems my post has had inferences read into it. Just to be clear, I have never been offended by any punctuation or emoticon ever, nor would I want anyone to feel sad about something so innocuous as grammar. I was simply airing a minor idiosyncratic pet peeve of mine, and nothing more. No judgments about anyone. We are all free to post as we see fit, of course, being respectful of each other. And, yes, some people are just more effusive by nature. No worries! I love this place and everyone's warm hearted nature. :)</p> <p>EDIT: let me frame it this way - if I say I really dislike socks worn with Crocs, it doesn't mean I dislike the foot that's wearing it or the person attached </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867545 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 04:32:44 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 867545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Parsley when I was young, my mother would quote from Harper's Handbook. My son and I were getting ready to leave the house one morning and I asked him what he had said since I didn't hear it clearly. His response was to say "I didn't use a double negative". LOL I think he was only about 6 at the time. I am my mother's daughter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867522 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 04:04:04 +0000 greenglove 867522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Katiepea!!!<br /> Some are more expressive, some proper, some funny, some serious, some thoughtful, some impulsive- as long as it is respectful and good-hearted, it is just perfect however it is written IMO. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867512 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:54:52 +0000 Ginkgo 867512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Katiepea, you go girl!!!</p> <p>I have used the dreaded exclamation mark to show enthusiasm, otherwise to just say "nice shirt" is a pretty lukewarm, tepid response. To me, the ! Is to show warmth , a lilt to the voice, as in a real conversation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867495 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:41:35 +0000 Anonymous 867495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rd7j-aSqFU" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rd7j-aSqFU</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867384 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:08:15 +0000 Katiepea 867384@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First up, I really thought hard about replying to this thread and I hope my comment will be read in the interests of putting forward an alternate viewpoint.</p> <p>If I have ever offended or irritated you by my use of ! or or or x or * or ~~~~, please know it has never been my intention.</p> <p>That said, at the very real risk of being a possible lone voice, I am going to state that personally, I LOVE using exclamation marks, emoticons etc in my reply to posts. And to add shock to horror, I am guilty as charged of sometimes using multiple when I make a comment and I'm particularly excited or annoyed about something!!! (&lt;--- cheekily inserted.)</p> <p>After reading the posts on this thread, I'm being truthful when I say I'm now feeling sad. It actually HURTS me to realise that when I reply to or have responded to posts in the past, that other members have been more than likely interpreting my honest, heartfelt replies as a negative reflection of me. (&lt;---- That one was inserted because I actually am feeling this way after reading some of the comments.)</p> <p>It saddens me even more to read *other* people's response to this thread where it comes across, at least to my mind, that they are apologising and/or second guessing how they, themselves, reply to other people because they also use or have used emoticons or exclamation marks. (Double with an added &lt;sniff&gt; for good measure.)</p> <p>I can't speak for others and their use of these types of expression, I can only speak for myself. The thing is, I type exactly as I speak. Honestly! I wear my heart on my sleeve and my speaking voice naturally has a *lot* of inflections. People who have met me in person will verify this.</p> <p>My possible over-use of these type marks (in some people's opinion, clearly not my own) are not included because I am unable to differentiate between a full-stop and an exclamation mark. (In other words, I know how to write rooly-good-but when required.) </p> <p>They are not there because I think my comment is better than anyone else.</p> <p>They are not there because I'm deliberately trying to annoy anyone. Of course not!!! (&lt;--- That one was added, because deep down, I figure if I'm going to be a voice of sole dissent, I may as well go down in exclamatory flames, baby!!!!! &lt;chuckle!&gt;) </p> <p>:-) and and ! and * and x and ~ are there and included in my replies because I personally see them as a way of adding in extra glimpses of quirky ol' me, over and above what I feel A - Z can provide.</p> <p>One of the things I love about the YLF is the inclusive nature of the community.</p> <p>I have absolutely never had any intention of deliberately trying to irritate or cause offence which makes me think I need to drastically reduce or stop using any form of ! or :-). The thing is, I also have no desire to feel censured or unfairly judged for being and expressing who I am. That's not fair either and dare I say it, a little hurtful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867329 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 01:00:54 +0000 ironkurtin 867329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It only bothers me when they aren't used properly. The rule is, ! or !!!</p> <p>If you want a pounded question (interrobang), it's ?!</p> <p>And for ellipses, it's three periods in a row (...), or three periods separated by a space (. . .) not ......</p> <p>And don't even get me started on it's versus its. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-867277 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:55:36 +0000 Parsley 867277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's funny- I'm not bothered by other people's use of exclamation points, unless they're terribly excessive, but I don't like to overuse them myself. I have frequently done as Janet has, and have gone back to change exclamation points to periods in my posts, so as not to use too many.</p> <p>Things that do bug me, although probably I shouldn't let them, are things like saying "fabrication" when you mean fabric, and not construction, and saying an outfit is "simplistic" when you mean simple.</p> <p>My mother was a stickler for that sort of thing, and I guess it rubbed off on me.<br /> I do find myself using quite relaxed standards for punctuation online, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-866910 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:32:07 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 866910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find the mis-spelling of the word "whoa" (often mispelled as w-o-a-h) much more painful. That and folks who insist on posting personal messages that clearly are meant for one person and should be a PM so that the person is notified. I feel like an evesdropper! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-866828 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:38:33 +0000 Janet 866828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm laughing because I sometimes find myself going back in my posts to get rid of exclamation points, even though I know I often leave in tortured grammar. I tend to post online in a quick, stream-of-consciousness fashion, and my inner editor goes on vacation. I was a English minor in college (and journalism was part of my major), so I am not proud of myself. :-P</p> <p>My BFF's husband is a 50-year-old man, and everything he posts on Facebook has multiple exclamation points !!! Like that. Hehe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-866626 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 06:52:30 +0000 rae 866626@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Heh. Yeah, I spent a lot of my life as an English Student, so I hear you. However, I am much more liberal with the exclamations online. I sometimes worry that people won't think I'm excited or happy for them if I use such common and ubiquitous punctuation as a period. It's silly but, yes, I do worry about that. I kind of agree about the usage in comments versus post titles, though. Extra exclamation marks DO draw the eye to one post at the expense of others... seems like it better be good if it's more shout-worthy than everyone else's post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-866600 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 05:34:24 +0000 Deborah 866600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, I got a good chuckle from this thread and I tend to agree with you even though I may well be guilty of this.. im not sure. I have always been very particular about grammar so I do pick up on these things too. "I wore a blazer with jeans on Tuesday" requires a smiley face more so than an exclaimation mark The exclamation mark suggests an element of self important that may be somewhat exagerated lol. You have permission to pull me up if I offend. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-866545 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:34:50 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 866545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL Donna, I did that the other day and was too lazy to fix it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/random-personal-grammatical-pet-peeve#post-866518 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:03:56 +0000 DonnaF 866518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Exclamation points are so girly/female, so I guess that's why we have them here, but definitely not in as abundance as my perky teen DD uses, lol. To escape them, you'll probably have to go to a mostly male forum, lol.</p> <p>My pet peeve is going from the singular to *they* in the same sentence. I suppose the author wants to keep it gender neutral but it doesn't work for me. </p>