Comments on: 3 Dead Giveaways You're a Hack Writer

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:40:37 +0000

These are good signs that one is a poor writer with absolutely no grammar skills. However, that is not the same thing as being a hack. One can be a literate and grammatically correct hack writer.

By: Sarah @ See Sarah Eat

Sarah @ See Sarah Eat — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:56:58 +0000

I love this post! I majored in English in college and have a good eye for spelling and grammatical errors but even I slip up sometimes. It's rare though.
.-= Sarah @ See Sarah Eat´s last blog ..Pound for Pound: Weeks 9 & 10 =-.

By: Morgan @ Life After Bagels

Morgan @ Life After Bagels — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:03:30 +0000

AH – I'm guilt of number two!

By: Jennifer (it ain't meat, babe)

Jennifer (it ain't meat, babe) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:48:41 +0000

Just a quick note to say that we Canadians put the punctuation outside the quotes as well. So if you're reading a blog written by a Canadian, don't dismiss us as grammar jerks, it's just the way we do it! J. .-= Jennifer (it ain't meat, babe)´s last blog ..I cuss, you cuss, we all cuss for asparagus. =-.

By: Gena

Gena — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:03:15 +0000

This editor is sitting in NYC clapping for you right now. Thanks!!

I'll add one more:

1) "Seeing as." Since when did, "Seeing as I…" or "Being as I" become a proper way to begin a sentence? Don't think so.

By: Rachel @ Shedding It

Rachel @ Shedding It — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:28:08 +0000

I would like to add "using emoticons" to this list. I'm to the point now where I just stop reading if there are emoticons. I don't mind them in email, text messages, or even comments. But in a post? Nope. You don't have to be the best writer but you can still use real words.

By: Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo)

Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 01:53:46 +0000

Oh dear I hope I'm not hacking the exclamation and question marks up?! Must check that out.

I notice that my Brit hub's grammar and that of all of his British friends is HORRIBLE! They use the comma where they should use a period. "I enjoyed meeting you yesterday, we really should meet more often" GAAHHHHHH!

Thanks for the reminders!
.-= Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo)´s last blog ..Good, Bad & Funny Photos: Lindsay, Mallory, Ashley & Marianne =-.

By: Teri [a foodie stays fit]

Teri [a foodie stays fit] — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:04:37 +0000

gah! all three of those drive me crazy!!! great post.

and congrats on the baby!

By: Jenn (GH)

Jenn (GH) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 22:17:47 +0000

I admit grammar is struggle for me and I was an english lit major in college. :-/ I proofread like crazy and I still miss stuff. So annoying but I don't let it keep me from writing. Personally, while I think grammar is important, content is way more important (imo). I will overlook poor grammar if the writing is touching, helpful, or funny. I don't really read blogs if I find the content boring even if the grammar is perfect and the writing polished. That's just me though. I probably give a lot of grace to mediocre grammar b/c I have mediocre grammar.
.-= Jenn (GH)´s last blog ..Worth every stretch mark. =-.

By: maria @ Chasing the Now

maria @ Chasing the Now — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:30:05 +0000

100% agree on all of this. I have a degree in journalism, so it drives me absolutely nuts to read a blog with no grammatical clue. I usually give up, which is a shame because the content isn't always that bad. .-= maria @ Chasing the Now´s last blog ..CSN Stores Opportunity + Giveaway =-.