Why do people use ; instead of '

[Irish_Tom]

Why do people use ; instead of ' ?

*Dons Grammar Nazi uniform*

This is something I've noticed recently on OCUK, quite a few people use a semicolon instead of an apostrophe.

For instance: Don;t instead of Don't.

Is it simply because they type too fast and the ; key is next to the ' key or do they actually think that they are being grammatically correct?

If it's the former then I can't understand it because if I make a mistake like that I correct it before pressing 'submit' (or go back an edit it). If it's the latter then I'd like to know where people are learning this 'rule' because it's totally wrong.

*Hangs up Grammar Nazi uniform*

 

[Judgeneo]

I've done it before as a mistake when typing. But I tend to look over forum posts when I edit like yourself, and most of my mistakes arise when using some sort of IM.

 

[yashiro]

they type too fast and the ; key is next to the '

Simple as that.

 

[Shayper]

Yeah, I keep doing this while typing too fast, gets annoying

 

[Glaucus]

Simple as that.

+1

 

[Wizzfizz]

I do that quite a lot.

 

[Throrik]

It;s really annoying when people do this.

 

[Sgt Tackleberry]

Don;t know why people do it

 

[loltim]

It;s really annoying when people do this.

It;s not at all.

 

[Muban]

I do it sometimes, it's simply a typing error. I do usually go back and change it though.

 

[Cybermyk]

I hate it when people use later instead of latter.

 

[PapaLazaru]

I do it sometimes, it's simply a typing error. I do usually go back and change it though.

I do it more often than not. The keys on my gaming keyboard are spaced a bit wider than my work keyboard so I only ever do this at home. I always change it back though.

 

[Shayper]

To be fair, it isn't half as annoying as people who cannot use the right word in context.

Such as their, there and they're; brought and bought; and most annoyingly your and you're rage is had at poor grammar

 

[Rameses]

because we dont care; its an internet forum not an english class essay.

 

[Tefal]

*Dons Grammar Nazi uniform*

This is something I've noticed recently on OCUK, quite a few people use a semicolon instead of an apostrophe.

For instance: Don;t instead of Don't.

Is it simply because they type too fast and the ; key is next to the ' key or do they actually think that they are being grammatically correct?

If it's the former then I can't understand it because if I make a mistake like that I correct it before pressing 'submit' (or go back an edit it). If it's the later then I'd like to know where people are learning this 'rule' because it's totally wrong.

*Hangs up Grammar Nazi uniform*

typo takes too long to fix to be bothered with most of the time.

for a while a few years back i just swapped the keys around with some program, so the ' key was in the ; space.

 

[mrk]

teh

It's faff checking back posts but it's much easier in Chrome/FF where your post edit box has highlighted with red underlines any typo errors

 

[grez]

 

[Irish_Tom]

I hate it when people use later instead of latter.

Damn it! I was so careful to not get caught out during a grammar rant and I failed.

For those of you saying "it's just an internet forum not an english essay" it shouldn't matter. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are rules used to help articulate oneself. If you deviate from the rules, all you're doing is confusing what you're trying to express.

Oh and another thing, how is it 'too much effort' to go back and fix mistakes. Surely you can't be that lazy?

 

[yoyo50]

****;***

 

[Lakeland]

Because the two characters are right beside each other...?