Laziness in Writing (grammar, quote, difference, similar)

[WyoEagle]

This deals with texting and emails primarily, but there are a few abbreviations that are so annoying:

U-Just write the word you.
4-Unless it's the number write the word for. Three letters, I think it can be handled.
2-See above.
K-The worst one. I can forgive writing the abbreviation Ok, but honestly, are we so lazy we can't even type in the letter o?

[Fred314X]

The problem is, a lot of people who use txt rather than English can't spell very well. They don't see a problem using abbreviations, because anything else would put their deficiencies on display.

[PJSinger]

Originally Posted by WyoEagle

This deals with texting and emails primarily, but there are a few abbreviations that are so annoying:

U-Just write the word you.
4-Unless it's the number write the word for. Three letters, I think it can be handled.
2-See above.
K-The worst one. I can forgive writing the abbreviation Ok, but honestly, are we so lazy we can't even type in the letter o?

It drives me nuts as well. What also bugs me is when people refuse to use any capital letters or punctuation.

I can understand the shortcuts when it comes to texting, but hate to see them in email messages and posts on these fora.

[brightdoglover]

I know a teacher who says her kid use this shorthand in school writing, reports, etc. And yes, it drives her nuts.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by PJSinger

It drives me nuts as well. What also bugs me is when people refuse to use any capital letters or punctuation.

I can understand the shortcuts when it comes to texting, but hate to see them in email messages and posts on these fora.

Same here. I just skip over posts like that. If they have something of worth to say, they'd better say it in a readable format. No capitalization or punctuation IS nothing but laziness. You can't blame that on a learning disability.

[RUNYYfan]

I've had "discussions" with people about this issue in business. Frankly, the concern I have is the lack of professionalism that it shows, not only on the part of the employee, but the disrespect it shows to the client. In my mind, there is a significant difference between texting someone where the maximum number of characters in 140 and writing an e-mail to someone.

A similar situation arises with the use of Twitter. While I understand the character limit and recognize that abbreviations are needed from time to time, there are some company Twitter accounts whose managers leave me shaking my head because of the bad grammar, spelling, and punctuation that is sent out on the TwitterFeed. Honestly, there have been a number of times where I have used ellipses to string together several tweets so my followers recognize the tweets are to be taken as a group. A few times I've found it better to use a service like Twitlonger just because the extra few characters are worth it. Likewise, there are times where I determine that a blog post is better to convey the ideas, specifically because it allows me great freedom to manage the content without confusing my followers or those who may read the comments within the hashtag.

[Blue Lobster]

I have received job applications from young teens with lols, smiley faces, and internet abbreviations ("I can't work Tuesdays b/c I'm @ soccer.") While I consider misspellings, bad grammar, and lack of capitalization annoying, it becomes a serious problem when kids get so used to communication this way that they can't turn it off and write a professional letter without relying on textspeak.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by RUNYYfan

I've had "discussions" with people about this issue in business. Frankly, the concern I have is the lack of professionalism that it shows, not only on the part of the employee, but the disrespect it shows to the client. In my mind, there is a significant difference between texting someone where the maximum number of characters in 140 and writing an e-mail to someone.

A similar situation arises with the use of Twitter. While I understand the character limit and recognize that abbreviations are needed from time to time, there are some company Twitter accounts whose managers leave me shaking my head because of the bad grammar, spelling, and punctuation that is sent out on the TwitterFeed. Honestly, there have been a number of times where I have used ellipses to string together several tweets so my followers recognize the tweets are to be taken as a group. A few times I've found it better to use a service like Twitlonger just because the extra few characters are worth it. Likewise, there are times where I determine that a blog post is better to convey the ideas, specifically because it allows me great freedom to manage the content without confusing my followers or those who may read the comments within the hashtag.

I'm trying to absorb the concept that there are such things as "company Twitter accounts".

[Trimac20]

The only acceptable use of '4, u, k, @' or any other short-hand is when text messaging.

That people use them to type on a computer keyboard shows laziness or that they are extremely slow typists.

There was none of that crap when I was a kid growing up. How things have changed in the last 10 years!

[dtran103]

Originally Posted by WyoEagle

This deals with texting and emails primarily, but there are a few abbreviations that are so annoying:

U-Just write the word you.
4-Unless it's the number write the word for. Three letters, I think it can be handled.
2-See above.
K-The worst one. I can forgive writing the abbreviation Ok, but honestly, are we so lazy we can't even type in the letter o?

I don't agree. Texting is extremely cumbersome. I think "K" is awful, but "U" is useful. I also think that contrary to some, abbreviation tends to be used by those fastest and more experienced at texting.