In oral communication, do you think correct grammar is important?

I wouldn't really care if someone was using incorrect grammar in an informal or even a formal conversation, as I know a broad range of people that use different grammar. That and due to the way most people that live near me talk anyway, good grammar can sometimes be thrown straight out of a ten story high window. I wouldn't criticise someone for their grammar, even if i didn't understand what they said. (I smile and nod, pretending to know what they are talking about. x3 ) Just because, I wouldn't like someone nit picking at me over grammar, so I don't do it to others.

yep,I agree to that..most people often find it difficult to communicate esp in English ..because of the grammatical rules...but I think such frustration is not needed in informal occasions. what we need is to just convey the message..and if its satisfied then any incomplete sentence can do... have a great day/night...

Yes, but spoken English grammar is different all the best urban

I used to be very extra careful with my grammars both in written and oral forms. However, I don't criticize people who are not so adept in the English language as I , myself is not perfect with my grammar as well. In other countries like China, they don't use linking verbs anymore in their language that's why when they speak foreign languages they use the most important words to use in order to convey a message. Say, Di cha(Chinese for let's eat) is understood in English as you(Di) eat (Cha). It isn't really necessary to speak in perfect grammar. My Aunt told me that only English writers do write and speak in English grammar.:-)

Forget the freaking oral communication, sweetie. Where the hell have you been all this time?? Grammar is important to some. But, i personally feel as long as people understand each other, i don't see any problem. I won't correct anyone, unless they ask me too. TATA.

Well the communication is valid as long as both the sides doing it are able to comprehend what the other person is saying.Thus i also agree with your thought because if you are able to understand what i am saying inspite of the fact that grammar is wrong is called a valid discussion,but when you are addresing a formal situation the grammar plays a very crucial role in determining your personality and the impression you make on the listener.

Even if it is oral communcation, it is better that one speaks properly in an informal gathering too.If we are at home or with friends, we do take liberties with the language and mix English and our mothertongue or any other language for that matter. Can we do this in a class room or with an outsider or to our teacher? We cannot.This is what I do. In informal English and in oral communication certain one liners and nonadherence to rules do tak e place.This is permitted and I would follow this. But I would definitely not criticise anyone who does not talk grammatcally on informal occasions. Communication is alone important for me. No one is writing an exam to be awareded some grades or being given criticism and remarks.

It is not as important as it is in written communication. However, there still should be some kind of effort made. Of course, one could argue that its much easier to see your mistakes as they are out in front of you on paper, as they are exiting from your mouth. There is no way to correct them, so there is very little time to think about such things when you're in the midst of a conversation. I really do not correct people when they say things that I believe are incorrect. For one, there are times where I might misspeak or say something a bit wrong. Therefore, I do not think I have that much room to talk. Still, when you're in the middle of a conversation, it does come off a bit rude to criticize a way talks. I think I'll leave that to the professional nitpickers.

Hello Harold, I don't mind if somebody committed mistake regarding his/her grammar communicating with me.As I even can't help myself commit wrong grammar though, in some business thoughts when writing is concern I admit that I always do it quiet careful.But oral communication I don't give much attention and don't mind it much when people tend to utters a wrong grammar, because I don't have a perfect grammar either unless its deemed appropriate, to utter good and nice one. Welcome back in myLOt Harold!I think your holiday is over! And Great day !

Hi Harold_ks! If you have it I think you wouldn't have to think much in using it. Instead you would probably have to think a lot to make it simpler when talking to one who doesn't know much English. English is my second or rather my third language. And for many years I grew up not speaking the language. When I first started I always appreciated the other person who tried very hard to make it simple enough for me to understand the English he used, let alone the grammar. You are right, Ultimately, as long as it is understandable it's fine. But a lot actually goes into making it 'understandable'. Thanks for the topic. Have a nice day!

i'd say that grammar is very important, regardless of the mode of communication. it is through the right use of grammar in a language that your recipient or the person you're communicating to will be able to build up the right mental picture with regards to your discussion, points, etc.. usage of correct grammar also reflects upon the user. the more exposed and learned the person is in a language, the better the grammar is..

yes.. i beleive it is important for better understanding... wether in english or in our own dialect it still still best to use proper grammar.. english is just my second language but i try to use proper grammar so that the person i am talking to will have no trouble understanding me.. :)

Nice topic to discuss with Harold.. First of all i wanna thank you for raising such topic... Oral conversation is a mode of transmitting information from the Speaker to the Receiver. It was made in such a manner that one must convey the messages that the other person is trying to imply. Which definitely means that if a person can't understand what you are trying to say, then the problem will rise... Misunderstanding most likely arise afterwards... People tend to be more observant and eager in terms of listening to a person's topic considering that the topic is interesting for that person. Once there is an identified flaw, some people tend to be discouraged and annoyed with the intonation maybe or perhaps the grammar. But as a conclusion, people tend to understand the situation especially when the one's they are talking to are not that good in using english or what language... Hope this reply helped a bit...

It depends on the time and the place. when I'm in seminars and symposia I tend to correct the speakers' incorrect grammar under my breath. In an informal conversation, I don't go out of my way to correct wrong grammar. I find it rude and in a way condescending if I do it. English is my first language and so I'm confident in my English. It just seems like lording it over them if I correct them right to their face. If I make the error on the other hand, I correct myself immediately. Which is not often, haha. Correct grammar has its own time and place. It would be best if we spoke eloquently all the time but there are some times where getting the main idea across is better. Just think of it this way, if you were in Japan, won't the Japanese laugh at you for your incorrect Nippongo?

I do think correct grammar is a good thing but i would never say a word to anyone about not using it. I'M sure i make mistakes in talking many times. I think it would be very rude to correct someone. I had a lady do me that way in sunday school one time when i mis-pronounced a word. THAT WAS VERY EMBARASSING & EVEN THI IT'S BEEN OVER 30 YEARS AGO I HAVE NEVER forgotteh it or the word,lol.

As far as the other person is understanding what you are trying to say then I do not think grammar counts a lot however you should be telling that person beforehand that you have problems in grammar too. I always understand my Chinese, Indian and many other friends who do not talk English very well.

I think the key word here is "understandable" and the situation/person. For many of us, English is our second language and we may not be so well versed in grammar so it is just natural to make mistakes. I personally would only correct a fellow converser if the mistake is very big and can create misinterpretation of the topic. As someone has already said, we should respect each other by concentrating on the contents of the conversation and not the mistakes in grammar that may or may not be made, after all when we converse with each other, its about the topic or information that is being shared.

a correct thing is always good..... in oral communication i think little mistakes of grammar are alright .....until the meaning of the sentence has not changed and the it is understandable.... but mostly ...one makes mistakes in written but in oral communication i think there are veeeery few grammar mistakes....and you can rectify it instantly as you get response immediately...

I can be very particular about grammar in special occasions because you have to be aware of protocols and such. However, in casual conversations, it's not that important because there are a lot of factors to consider especially if you're not using the vernacular. What's always important is that you say the right words so you can get your message across clearly but it always helps to provide some correction, just do it in the nicest possible way.

Whenever I'm talking to someone, no matter the environment or situation, I always try to use the level of language that the other person can understand. FOr example if I am speaking to someone who is a vistor and speaks very little of my native language I try to find out what language they do speak or I speak slower with more basic terms in order to ensure they understand. I don't think correct grammer is as important when talking to someone face to face because in face to face conversations body language express about 50% of the conversation.