Well DUH. Like...y'know? Can't someone ELSE do it? Wot does that mean?

[sensaes]

'Poor reading and writing skills among graduates are a concern for half of the UK's top employers, a survey suggests

Comments

[stone_eye_tooth]

I am given to understand that in Wellesley college, and why I know so many wellesley alum I don't know, any grammar errors result in your work being handed back for your correction before or after its due date (without the errors highlighted). Late essays are severely punished by grade reduction and your essay is not accepted as 'handed in' until it is grammatically perfect. Apparently people learn grammar pretty quick no matter what their background is. Shocker.

This year I had cause to write on a final year undergraduate dissertation 'There are two words for 'there' and they have different meanings, look it up.' I strongly suspect the student had dictated the essay to via voce, but nevertheless I was appalled. They subsequently claimed to be dyslexic but couldn't provide proof so my poor grade stands.

[sensaes]

Pure fantasy, but imagine this rejoinder from your cornered undergrad:

"Actually, if one includes the standard contraction with apostrophe, there are three, with three different meanings: There, their, and they're."

Any desire to be pedantic would surely be negated by joy? ;o)