correcting English mistakes

[MorphemeAddict@wmconnect.com]

In a message dated 8/21/2006 4:22:10 AM Central Standard Time, ecartis@digitalkingdom.org writes:


> By the way, the native English speakers (who actually *should* extend helping hands to us in improving our English) prefer to leave it as it is. Maybe they think it is not very polite to correct mistakes of others :) Or maybe just tired of doing it before.


Yanis, the main reason I don't bother pointing out errors in emails is that there are just too many, and even I make an occasional error in email.  Emails are transient, quick, seldom proofread.  I still see the errors in them, and it still bothers me, but it's not worth pointing out everybody's every little typo and mistake.  And usually such corrections serve no purpose.  The authors do know how to spell (usually) and they do know how to punctuate, so once the error is made, it's made.  In your and Wang's case, the situation is only slightly different, being a matter of degree rather substance.  Your posts are readily understandable, and when they aren't, people ask for an explanation.
When the error can be fixed, such as a web site or dictionary online, I often send notes to the owner in the hope that the suggestion will be received in the spirit it was sent, namely as a friendly suggestion for improvement.  

stevo