Bravo, Ginny! I think proper usage can be a difficult matter. On one hand, there are sloppy and ignorant (not meant in the pejorative sense) writers, and, depending on the formality of the situation, it irks us greatly to see them misuse the language. We certainly do not wish to be similarly guilty of irking others. On the other hand, it is all too tempting to try to formulate all-encompassing rules and to apply them faithfully, almost dogmatically. Real usage takes more discernment and judgement, and compassionate listening takes some tolerance. (On a side note, I am becoming convinced as I age that this same principle -- rules are easier and useful, discernment is harder and better -- is active in many other domains, including, but not limited to, office politics and morality.) Let me close with a wonderful quote from George Polya: Pedantry and mastery are opposite attitudes toward rules. To apply a rule to the letter, rigidly, unquestioningly, in cases where it fits and in cases where it does not fit, is pedantry ... To apply a rule with natural ease, with judgment, noticing the cases where it fits, and without ever letting the words of the rule obscure the purpose of the action or the opportunities of the situation, is mastery. -George Polya, mathematician (1887-1985)

Amy, I wasn't going to add any more to this thread (somehow I got singled out here, and I'm not sure why), but I want to respond to your post. Honestly, I've never noticed errors of any kind in your posts. My impression of you is an intelligent, insightful, talented person. I think if we go back to the original post, we'll see that the comments were about the texts, not the writers. All we were saying is that we scroll on by some posts rather than try to figure them out. On a Lyme Disease forum I belong to, people are asked not to post in long paragraphs because those with Lyme find it difficult to track a train of thought if it isn't broken up into smaller chunks. That certainly is true of me--though I don't know if I can blame it on Lyme--and it's one of the things we were talking about.

I've grown tired of hearing it's how we say it in the sath (or insert your chosen location). I remember how badly my Texas cousin wanted to move to Minnesota. I knew she'd have a lot of trouble though. In Houston, she was a high school honor roll student. In Minnesota, she wouldn't have passed third grade English, grammar or math. We took the Iowa basic skills tests but either they couldn't have or they never scored them. There's no way she could have passed them. Even reading letters/emails from her to this day, there's been no improvement. If you don't learn it in grade school, you're penalized for the rest of your life unless you really make a huge effort. Broadcasting and media have to take their share of the blame for this condition. Not so long ago grammar was important in broadcasting where today it means nothing although I attribute part to the management being so poorly educated they don't know any better. I can only quote Barry Zevan: "Broadcasters these days are absolutely massacring the English language."

"We are a no-shoes house. It's so ingrained, it's automatic and simple. It's not a big deal, and it's not hard." ^^ This. It really does become automatic -- outside shoes are taken off in the mudroom and "house shoes" slid on (we're partial to Birkenstock). The house shoes don't go outside the door, not even to get something from the garage or take the dog out for a potty break. And wipe the dog's paws. It's about the germs only in part, but even more so about debris that shoes track in, which will scratch and dull a hardwood floor. I'm not talking about contractors here. I wouldn't dream of asking a contractor to remove their work shoes/boots, it's their protective wear -- both them and myself, I don't want the liability should anything unfortunate happen. I do go around and vacuum then mop up after they leave, which I also do when company comes over, some of who wear slippers (provided by them or they bring their own), and some who don't. Again, it's not all about the germs but also just the general dirt and debris that gets tracked in and then all over the house. You want to know what's REALLY GROSS?!? Women who put their purses on public floors, especially bathroom floors. I am aghast every time I see someone do that. I mean -- you do know you're carrying all the funk of John Q Public into your house and spreading it all over the countertops, furniture, bed, wherever, right? Oh my..... {shakes head}