Re[2]: alot

["Virginia L. Krenn" <asdxvlk -at- OKWAY -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU>]

     I think that some of you may be missing the point. This thread began
     with the following statement.

     "... "alot" is not a word!! There is a legitimate word "allot," and
     there is the descriptor "a lot" (meaning 'a whole bunch' usually of
     something), but there is not "alot."  As technical writers, we
     should zealously guard against misuse of the language this way!"

     I'm not sure what the poster's intentions were when she mentioned
     this. And, it probably would have been dropped there. But, there
     have been some postings that defended the use of this 'word'. There
     have also been some postings that object to it being defined as a
     new word. I don't think that anyone has criticized anyone's
     typographical errors, etc.

     Has this topic been discussed enough?

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________
Subject: Re: alot
Author:  Romay Jean Sitze <rositze -at- nmsu -dot- edu> at SMTP Date:    12/14/94 2:03 PM


On Wed, 14 Dec 1994, Nora Merhar wrote:

> I have noticed much bad spelling on this list, including a personal pet peeve
 of
> mine--confusion of whose and who's (as in "Anyone who's back hurts should
 should
> take Advil"--UGH!!!) but I haven't said anything, because I didn't think it
 was
> worth it. If you really feel a need to criticize your fellow writer's grammar/
> spelling, do so privately, not only out of consideration for the person you're
> criticzing, but also because you'll look like an idiot to the rest of us if
> you're wrong.

Criticism of grammar/spelling on net messages seems out of place for
several reasons not the least of which is the fact that the server often
does not keep pace with fingers.  I frequently find that my message does
not appear onscreen for several words at a time.  If I were to go back to
correct everything every time, this whole process would become burdensome.


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                RoMay Sitze                 rositze -at- nmsu -dot- edu

                Practice makes perfect--or perfectly awful.
                It depends on what you practice.

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