Since '02 xBhp is different things to different people. From a close knit national community of bikers to India's only motorcycling lifestyle magazine and a place to make like-minded biker friends. Join us

Castrol Power 1

Always use both brakes to reduce speed.

Our Partner

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

It's All About Using The English Right

Collapse
This is a sticky topic.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • It's All About Using The English Right

    Off late, I've been observing the thread's integrity is not being upheld, especially by the new members and the like. It's a real pain in the posterior to see, garbled up sentences, slangs, one liners (useless one liners just to increase post count).

    If only people realize it's not just a community in India, but worldwide, if anyone who wants any help, xBhp is always there to help them. But how can you contribute to that? Why me? Am I the one who's gonna save the world? Well, basically yes YOU are.

    1. Use your language effectively not rhetoric (complicated words) just for the sake of it.
    2. Read the posts clearly and understand what needs to be typed before hand you type, instead of gunning it right away.
    3. Make sure you make use of those punctuations correctly. i.e.


    Click image for larger version

Name:	deb106c6.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	63.7 KB
ID:	1979522

    in the above image a simple non-usage of comma renders the sentence funny and ineffective.

    4. Give some form to what you type out. Never use excessive spaces when you type or use .... .... okeyzzzzz, likeyzzzz. The moment an international user sees this, and disdains, that's out of game for xBhp. Remember at the start. Yes you! You can put the forum's integrity on lines by using all these lingos, though it's been repeated by members. Alone the same lines staring with all caps, and continuing with small initial caps off with full stops i.e. i bought a new karizma....it rockzz...my girlfriend loves it..i love it too. All these things indicate, one's not educated or too dumb to follow simple English grammar.

    5. Make sure others enjoy what you would like to type/explain as much as you'd like to explain, and following this principle will almost change the way you type completely.

    6. Keep it simple, don't worry if others use very difficult words, which need Googling, and everyone has a learning curve. If you start improving on yourself, everyone will follow suit and you'll end up learning more. Again, a small change in forums can go a long way.


    PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU POST

    Have you realised that sometimes some posts are almost impossible to read and you end up zoning out completely before you've finally reached the actual reason why the person created the post in the first place and you haven't even understood what he was trying to say so you just move on to the next post. Sometimes someone will make a single post and everyone has understood what he said and in fact have even responded to it but nobody even understood what you were trying to say rather they have completely misunderstood your point and it has even turned into an argument that you're not even part of?


    Just like the one above, a badly punctuated sentence is an absolute pain to read.


    Punctuation is not an option. It is a necessity. If you want to make a readable, enjoyable post that people respond to, use good punctuation.


    Knowledge is the food of life, but punctuation is the salt, pepper and masala. The same food will not taste good without it and taste fantastic, if used well.


    Sentences: Avoid long sentences. Don't type as you think, think first, then type.
    Nobody likes long sentences. Keep the length of your sentences short and people will be able to read it easily. Even 2 words can make a fine sentence. Like this.


    Periods: No, I am not referring to those heart-warming, delightful 4 days in a month that every married man looks forward to.
    I am simply referring to the gaps, between your sentences.


    Try to visualise yourself speaking. You have variations. Sometimes you pause while speaking, simply to allow the other person half a second to absorb what you just said.


    The same applies for your post.


    Use a single full stop, after each sentence. That's what it's for, isn't it?


    More full stops, like this..... simply indicate an unfinished sentence (like stopping for a quick breath of air, in between your sentence). Why would you separate every sentence with it? It's against xBhp (That's how annoying it is, lol)


    Ending your sentence in a full stop, truly indicates the end of your sentence. If you wish to pause slightly, use the comma


    Did you know that the comma is the least used punctuation mark on this forum?
    I would rate it as one of the most powerful, yet subtle forms of punctuation there is.


    Read this: He rode his bike out turned left floored the pedal and zoomed off.
    Now read this: He rode his bike out, turned left, floored the pedal and zoomed off.


    2 commas have made sure that the post is very easy to understand.


    Don't forget, all punctuations (. , ? ! : etc.) need to be followed by a space immediately after.


    Capitals: It is very important to begin a new sentence with a capital letter. It signifies the beginning of a new sentence and is easier to mentally register, for the reader.


    Remember, the following words need to begin with a capital letter
    The first word of every sentence (including names of new threads)
    Proper names, of motorcycles, manufacturers or people
    "I" the article that refers to yourself


    However typing completely in capitals, indicates either an urgency, or a raised voice, or just plain shouting (RUDE, RUDE, RUDE!!!!)
    This is basic forum and chat etiquette.




    Extra Blank Lines: On a forum, a whole bunch of words can often lead to confusion. I find that the change of topic, even slight, indicates the need for a new paragraph.
    IMO the use of one or two blank lines, between points, makes it easier on the reader's eye.


    While, this is not necessarily correct English, it does make your post more readable. Do consider it.




    Brackets: A fantastic tool, to say something, without taking the limelight away from your actual point.


    Read this:


    Let's say you like the red Husqvarna, or even the white Husqvarna, will you pay so much for it?


    And now read this:


    Let's say you like the red Husqvarna (or even the white Husqvarna), will you pay so much for it?


    Easier to understand, isn't it? It's also great for an OT quickie. (heh heh)


    Hey, I saw a bottle green Husqvarna parked outside!! (I was with my girlfriend, having coffee at the time)


    BIU: You see the 3 signs there, on the top left hand corner. Bold, Italics and Underline. Use them to highlight important parts of your post.


    Quote: When you want to quote someone, what need is there to quote the entire post?


    If you are commenting on a particular part of the post, just leave that part in. Don't de-emphasize your point by quoting a complete post, most of which is probably irrelevant to your answer. By quoting just the required sentence, your point will have come across immediately.




    Language skills: Always remember, it's not the words you know. It's how you use them.
    You don't have to use big words to sound educated. You can make a wonderful post, using simple, everyday English words.


    These are just a few points I thought of. I am sure many more will follow as this thread chugs along.

    ================================================== ================================================== ==

    And a special note to mods, I request you folks to amend rules like these to be strictly followed, and with vigilante with warnings, and temporary to permanent bans on members those who don't follow the rules strictly.

    Cheers!
    VJ
    19
    Yes. Warn, and if repeated, impose temporary to permanent ban.
    78.95%
    15
    No. Bring in active forum watch dogs, and warn them then and there.
    21.05%
    4

    The poll is expired.

    Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?'
    The girl said, 'NO!'


    And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and watched sport on a big screen TV, went fishing and surfing, and played golf a lot, and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.


    THE END

  • #2
    Re: It's All About Using The English Right

    Topic Approved
    Biking is not about what you have between your legs, its all about how well you use it!!!!!!!

    Give your details here if you want to help your fellow xBhpian stranded in your city

    Touring Blog: Cycling in Mongolia!

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: It's All About Using The English Right

      Dear Comrade,

      A beautiful post and an important one - nicely penned and extremely well-summarized! I have been thinking of doing something similar for the past few days but wasn't sure about the exact approach. Your thread does it all. Though this primarily speaks about the language and its usage, I would like to use this opportunity to add a few things. Kindly bear with me.

      So, I guess there are many like me who are disappointed at the way things were shaping up in the forum, especially for the past few days. Numerous OTs, chit-chats, tagging, trolling, making fun etc. These were prevalent in almost every thread and it's PITA to open a thread only to realize that this circus is already on. The interest on what's been developing just fades away. I am not claiming to be the most disciplined xBhpian ever but I know a certain fact called 'Limit' which I try not to cross. After all, this ain't Facebook!

      My sincere request to fellow mates, kindly maintain the decorum! Trolling and fun times are their in most forums but let us not take it to a different level and let us keep ourselves in check. I keep telling this to fellow xBhpians and I am saying it again - Do not assume that no one is aware of your activity on the forum, even in the remotest thread you are being noticed. And even the most silent spectator can remember our activities. Whom are we trying to fool?!

      Another fact is of course about the language - We all know that many use mobile gadgets to log-in and check xBhp TALKIES on the go. That still doesn't justify the sms lingo. If you are bothered to post something than please take your time and type a readable content. It just cannot be "ITZ MAH LYF N MAH RULZ"; Okay, I get it that you are an urban pro but not all of us are, and besides, this forum will look like another FB page where one is forced to read such crappy, wannabe, 'YO' type English. Lets keep it simple and precise.

      Let us keep OUR forum beautiful. After all, we do take pride in being a part of it, right?!
      Last edited by chaosaddict; 11-15-2013, 01:13 PM. Reason: punctuation!
      BENEATH THE REMAINS.........
      Instagram - chaosaddict666 (follow for atypical uploads on heavy metal, bikes, alcohol, chakna, life, fashion yada, yada)
      YouTube - chaosaddict666 (Disclaimer: crappiest uploads ever, viewer discretion is advised)

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: It's All About Using The English Right

        Do I need to post/contribute anything here ?
        Skill is what keeps you on a Motorcycle
        Awareness + Skill is what keeps you out of harm's way
        ATGATT + Awareness + Skill means you might Live To Ride another day

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: It's All About Using The English Right

          Every points, you made sound too good but the question is people like me who are poor with English language or use of gamer,how they will interact with others out here?

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: It's All About Using The English Right

            B7ACKTHORN. A good initiative. Appreciate your feeling for the English Language and the points you have raised. The English Language has within it many words,which it cannot call as it's own.The influence of many other languages can be clearly felt as we use the language. It is because of this unique quality that the Language had survived so long and had remained preferred language for " Spontaneous Expression of Powerful Emotions ". The Language is different when used in Poetry, very different in Prose, more different in spoken and written form of expression.
            What we see here is the written form, which like you had said so clearly, is typed as the thoughts run through the mind.
            What is required is an analysis of the thought sequence, and critical evaluation of the typed expression ,regarding it's relevance and appropriateness to the context.When these requirements are ignored , what is known in modern form of expression as " Crazy outburst of freaky Thoughts " happens.
            Let us avoid this .
            When Was The Last Time,You Did Something For The First Time.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: It's All About Using The English Right

              Originally posted by sumitro_d View Post
              Every points, you made sound too good but the question is people like me who are poor with English language or use of gamer,how they will interact with others out here?
              No, it's not really that hard to master and this isn't rocket science either. Don't worry you have issues with grammar as such, just make sure you type it slowly and steadily rather than wolfing down a piece of burger. The same above sentence can be written as i.e.

              no...it's not really that hard...don't worry, you have.... see, just proper full stops, and caps of the first word after the full stop makes a lot of difference. Slow and steady you'll be in tune, and mobile users can train their keyboard memory which will help you in grammar most of the times, just follow them and you'll be all set.

              psr ji, appreciate the sentiment, but I would humbly like to say just this, I ain't no scholar, learning learning learning, and hope it stays that way for a long time. But seeing quite other forums, and their etiquette and the way mods enforce that rule is very good indeed. So if they can do it, why can't we do something in the similar lines, the betterment of our forum. Yes I understand more youngsters are in xBhp than other forums, but a little etiquette, little guidance will help members regain their posture.

              Once people understand that this is a Book in a Library so many people, read it daily or someone somewhere will read this, so if that is in their mindset, with the thought of helping others it will automatically be ingrained in their minds. And I want everybody to mutually help one another in a positive way.

              Cheers!
              VJ
              Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?'
              The girl said, 'NO!'


              And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and watched sport on a big screen TV, went fishing and surfing, and played golf a lot, and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.


              THE END

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: It's All About Using The English Right

                Originally posted by chaosaddict View Post
                After all, this ain't Facebook!

                Whom are we trying to fool?!

                After all, we do take pride in being a part of it, right?!
                Nice initiative Vijay bro. Reminds me of a certain friend from another forum.

                Ok Udy, I have highlighted 3 mistakes in your posts in the interest of this thread. Please note that I don't have any personal vendetta against you. Also, I'm not the English master.
                Lectures aside, the reasons for me pointing out your mistakes:

                1. Ain't is semantically wrong. Ain't - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
                2. ?! has no sense when used together. ? is a question and ! is an exclamation. What were you trying to convey there? An exclamatory question? If yes, then ! is not required. It is implied by default.
                Got a $5 head? Get a $5 helmet.
                Because everyone who passes, isn't a martyr!

                Bullet Service Guide CBR 250R Parts Manual Fz16 service manual - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1-...VFQmJzakk/view
                Hero Moto Corp Bikes' Parts RE STD 350 Wiring Diagram (CI) Service Manual - Classic 350/500
                ZMR parts - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-U...it?usp=sharing
                P200NS Spares' prices - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...taGd5R2c#gid=0

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: It's All About Using The English Right

                  I have another suggestion which I think needs immediate consideration. There are guys here who basically do not know anything about the technical aspects, but they keep posting misleading info everywhere. It's just that most of the members are keeping 'mum' about it. The 'what bike' section is more like a 'blunder' section now. If you want a list of all the bikes available for sale in India, just open a thread in that forum. Expressing one's opinion is one thing and talking about something authoritatively is something else. I myself have been a part of many heated debates but I hope I didn't make any baseless points.

                  IMO, misleading information is more dangerous than poor English.

                  And to be honest, one need not worry about the global scope of xbhp for now. In terms of technical information we're far from reaching such a point. I mean I've felt that the forum needs more technical experts so that people like me can learn more from them.
                  Last edited by raging_bull; 11-15-2013, 11:09 PM.
                  The best things in life are dangerous: Motorcycles and Women

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: It's All About Using The English Right

                    ^^^ +100. Totally agree on the OT/bashing part.
                    Got a $5 head? Get a $5 helmet.
                    Because everyone who passes, isn't a martyr!

                    Bullet Service Guide CBR 250R Parts Manual Fz16 service manual - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1-...VFQmJzakk/view
                    Hero Moto Corp Bikes' Parts RE STD 350 Wiring Diagram (CI) Service Manual - Classic 350/500
                    ZMR parts - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-U...it?usp=sharing
                    P200NS Spares' prices - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...taGd5R2c#gid=0

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: It's All About Using The English Right

                      Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post
                      Nice initiative Vijay bro. Reminds me of a certain friend from another forum.

                      Ok Udy, I have highlighted 3 mistakes in your posts in the interest of this thread. Please note that I don't have any personal vendetta against you. Also, I'm not the English master.
                      Lectures aside, the reasons for me pointing out your mistakes:

                      1. Ain't is semantically wrong. Ain't - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
                      2. ?! has no sense when used together. ? is a question and ! is an exclamation. What were you trying to convey there? An exclamatory question? If yes, then ! is not required. It is implied by default.
                      Originally posted by raging_bull View Post
                      I have another suggestion which I think needs immediate consideration. There are guys here who basically do not know anything about the technical aspects, but they keep posting misleading info everywhere. It's just that most of the members are keeping 'mum' about it. The 'what bike' section is more like a 'blunder' section now. If you want a list of all the bikes available for sale in India, just open a thread in that forum. Expressing one's opinion is one thing and talking about something authoritatively is something else. I myself have been a part of many heated debates but I hope I didn't make any baseless points.

                      IMO, misleading information is more dangerous than poor English.

                      And to be honest, one need not worry about the global scope of xbhp for now. In terms of technical information we're far from reaching such a point. I mean I've felt that the forum needs more technical experts so that people like me can learn more from them.

                      Totally and you're absolutely right about the world propagation. The sad part though is, the thread being shredded slowly, if you've been following long back, all the so called "gyaans" have been receding slowly yet steadily. It's like this menace that's happening all over, the fighters are slowly going back paving way for viruses that screw it up. And that's one of the reason I wanted to bring this thread. And I still have little to no faith that this thread being read by everyone (which is not going to happen, but will be with the help of mods).

                      And it's more or less like finding needle in a haystack, the fact of the matter is that 95% of the info you need is available in our forum, trust me it is, but the issue is it's garbled, way too garbled and it's screwed up so bad, we end up giving up on it, that's what's happened with the respected seniors who were in this forum years back, they in turn get backlashed by the newbikes/wannabes and their reputation on the line. Solution? Silently back off, and let the bickering continue. End result? Thread becoming a chat forum instead of knowledge sharing community. It still is a KSC, but if we correct it now, this wouldn't be Chapter 11 or pretty close, god forbid.

                      Again I am not on a revolt against anyone, and again if one is technically sound or not that really doesn't matter. Just posting what is needed is more than suffice and with proper hindsight would take the thread a long way as opposed to type just blindly posting without proper depth of info and just for the sake of it.

                      Cheers!
                      VJ
                      Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?'
                      The girl said, 'NO!'


                      And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and watched sport on a big screen TV, went fishing and surfing, and played golf a lot, and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.


                      THE END

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: It's All About Using The English Right

                        Worrying about the global scope of xbhp doesn't make sense to me. The biking scene in India is quite different, from the rest of the world.
                        A more pressing need on this forum, would be to moderate content as in other forums. People who go OT unnecessary or use sms lingo must be warned. Especially the 'what bike' section as stated earlier requires immediate attention. I see more brand wars and fanboyism than useful advice being posted there.
                        If one compares the quality of content on team bhp and xbhp, the difference is apparent. Maybe due to better moderation or stricter membership prerequisites.
                        The quality of content on xbhp, is rapidly degrading. I see a lot of senior members with experience who post rarely or don't post at all.
                        kudos to the thread starter.

                        Sent from my GT-I9500 using xBhp Connect mobile app
                        REVVADDICT
                        -
                        Yamaha FZ-16 (2010-12)
                        -Kawasaki Ninja 250R (2012-13)
                        -KTM Duke 390(2013- )

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: It's All About Using The English Right

                          Originally posted by vijeth v View Post
                          Worrying about the global scope of xbhp doesn't make sense to me. The biking scene in India is quite different, from the rest of the world.

                          Sent from my GT-I9500 using xBhp Connect mobile app
                          Appreciate the thoughts vijeth. A small correction, it's not about global scope, the scope is the *availability* of this forum on a global level. And I think we need to bring in a poll to see how many vote for a radical change, about penalizing and enforcing temp to perm ban on members who don't follow the xBhp guidelines. And I've never seen the xBhp Police for a months in a while now, only when it was launched I saw it popping here and there, and that's it.

                          Cheers!
                          VJ
                          Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?'
                          The girl said, 'NO!'


                          And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and watched sport on a big screen TV, went fishing and surfing, and played golf a lot, and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.


                          THE END

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: It's All About Using The English Right

                            Only a couple of moderators cannot hope to achieve the task of warning members then and there if they go OT. And yes, many and even i have been a part of OTs being spoken at 'what bike' section. Thinking back about it, if the posts were deleted then and there, the quality of the thread would have been saved and the TS's objective of starting the thread fulfilled. Only problem is that only a couple of moderators cannot handle all the responsibilities. There has to be some solution to this rite?
                            ZMR- PGMFI re-defined

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: It's All About Using The English Right

                              Please poll and share your thoughts, this will go in a long way in help convincing xBhp mods to bring a radical system. Hopefully.

                              Cheers!
                              VJ
                              Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?'
                              The girl said, 'NO!'


                              And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and watched sport on a big screen TV, went fishing and surfing, and played golf a lot, and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.


                              THE END

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X