Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

My friend & I are disagreeing on which it would be considered when someone does not know when to use "they're", "there" or "their"....also does not know when to use "too" and "to" in sentences.

Syntax is the study of the principles and rules for constructing sentences.

Spelling is the writing of a word or words with the necessary letters and diacritics present in an accepted standard order.

Which would you say it is?

Message edited 6/12/2009 9:21:27 PM.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

i think it's a bit of both--not knowing correct grammar and spelling leads to syntax errors

so does carelessness and laziness... IMO...

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

I would say sytax..but isn't it syntax?

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

syntax.... becuase if the reader saw the correct spelling, they likely would know the word... they simply don't know proper grammar.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

I deifnitely don't think it's syntax, bc according to your (not you're ) definition of syntax, they would have to write the sentance incorrectly... it's more about the arrangement of the sentence than how a word is used incorrectly.

But I dont' think it's spelling either bc clearly they are spelling the wrong word the right way.

Chalk it up to laziness.

(1) The study of the rules that govern the way words combine to form phrases, clauses, and sentences. (2) The arrangement of words in a sentence

Message edited 6/12/2009 4:29:58 PM.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

neither, I would say its a grammatical error.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

I think it depends on who is making the error!

If someone isn't aware of the different versions of there/their/they're and they only use one version (usually "there") in every context then I would say it's a syntax error.

Then there are people who ARE aware that there are different versions of those words but aren't sure when to use which one. They might use "their" but mean "they're" and then use "they're" when they should have used "there", I think in this example it's a spelling error.

Message edited 6/12/2009 4:37:19 PM.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

I don't know, but your use of "syntax" is a spelling error.

I would also say its a grammatical error, but I am no expert.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

Spelling is spelling, syntax is the order of the words and grammar. So I say syntax.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a sytax error or a spelling error?

I have no idea what it is called but I have to admit that it irks me to no end

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

Neither. I think it is more of a writing problem.

I wouldn't say it is syntax because that has to do with word order and grammatical structure within a sentence. While speaking they are using them in the correct way in a sentence and the problems begin when these words are written. Surely a native speaker is aware that every sentence has a verb and the use of "Your really nice" is just a mistake and it can't be a syntax error.

I don't think it is a spelling problem either because spelling of other words is correct. I think it has more to do with phonetics and actually writing those words. So maybe it does somewhat border on a spelling issue.

Or it could be a lexical problem in that they are not sure how to use these words in the correct context. We don't notice it when they are speaking only when writing. Maybe they are not aware of the other forms but they know the sound is the same.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

I'd have to say it's an error in diction (aka word choice). I love talking syntax and diction as my AP Language students would surely attest.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

It's a grammatical error....homophones to be exact. If you know someone who is terrible at this, chompchomp.com has great exercises

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

I would say it is a grammatical error.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

I agree with those who say it is a grammatical error - homophone error.

It's definitely not a syntax error.

It's really not a spelling error either because the word - while the incorrect word - is spelled correctly. It's simply the wrong word choice.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

grammatical

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

Posted by KGools

I deifnitely don't think it's syntax, bc according to your (not you're ) definition of syntax, they would have to write the sentance incorrectly... it's more about the arrangement of the sentence than how a word is used incorrectly.

But I dont' think it's spelling either bc clearly they are spelling the wrong word the right way.

Chalk it up to laziness.

(1) The study of the rules that govern the way words combine to form phrases, clauses, and sentences. (2) The arrangement of words in a sentence

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

Syntax is grammar. So it's syntax.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

It is a usage or grammatical error.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?

i would say it's a bit of both. First and foremost though, I think it's a syntax error and because the syntax is wrong, it leads to a spelling error.

Re: Silly question. Would you say this is a syntax error or a spelling error?