Your – possessive
You’re – you are
*face palm
There – as in “over there”
Their – possessive
They’re – they are
Were – as in “you were over there”
We’re – we are
*smacks head on desk
ATM machine = Automated Teller Machine machine….REALLY PEOPLE??!!
*jumps out of first floor window
– the greatest grammar pet peeve of all –
the random capitalization of letters and the random repeat of letters to make words longer in social media posts. Holy Jesus, save me from hurting someone.
As architects our success is directly proportional to our ability to communicate effectively, efficiently, and intelligently. Now, I do not pretend to be a learned writer or grammar aficionado, but at least I know how to use the spell/grammar check tools at my disposal. And I always proof read before posting. This doesn’t mean that I catch every little foible or even that I would recognize all of the mistakes I make, but I do my best to try.
When I give presentations, I am conscious of limiting the use of “um” and “uh” and the dreaded “like” from my vocabulary because it’s important to me that my listeners are wowed by my presentation and don’t get lost in the never-ending world of “UH”. However, listening to a modern 20 something talk in conversation is like having a front row seat to the wholesale rape and torture of the English language. I think we’ve all suffered through at least 10 minutes of one episode of Jersey Shore, so you know exactly what I’m talking about.
In the presentations I sat through last week it was obvious that presentation skills aren’t focused on at the collegiate level. And this is a shame. A bad design can win out over a good design if presented more successfully.
Again, as architects our success is directly proportional to our ability to communicate effectively, efficiently, and intelligently. I welcome any and all grammatical corrections to this post. 🙂
r | one studio architecture 
The neverending world of UH — ha! I try to self-sensor that during presentations as well. Nietzsche likened the degradation of language to a degradation of culture….here’s to fighting the good fight to preserve communication so we don’t all sound like the bumbling Neanderthals on Jersey Shore. Nice post!
Thanks, Shelley. Nietzsche is rolling in his grave I’m sure. If he was right, how far has our culture fallen when shows like Jersey Shore are so amazingly popular? Makes my face hurt.
I don’t see it getting better with texting and other forms of quick social media. I force myself to pause often while speaking, even with my students to avoid the “ums”. It takes practice.
Like, uh 4 grammar y’know, r u crzy?
Since people mispronounce so many words, they have no hope to spell them correctly. I am appalled at how poor people are at spelling. I expect more out of architects, especially at a time when our credibility is at stake.