13

I believe that we should not allow grammar questions on this site. It should be a place to discuss writing techniques, styles, etc., but not to have your work copy-edited.

There is already a StackExchange site for English, and the one for German is well-along in the commit phase. I believe questions of this nature belong on those sites, and not on this one.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree and why?

1
  • 1
    Agreed with "There is already a StackExchange site for English" - All grammar questions should go there.
    – JFW
    Nov 21, 2010 at 4:41

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
9

I agree with this assessment. Grammar questions that reference specific uses of language in specific instances should be referred to the English SE (and when both of these sites are full sites I think there ought to be an established migration path between the two).

I believe questions on self-editing techniques in general should be on topic. Also perhaps we could allow questions looking for grammar reference manuals.

1
  • 2
    +1 Agreed. Grammar is a tool of the trade - we should be helping others know when to use it, not how.
    – Zayne S Halsall
    Nov 18, 2010 at 21:21
2

I was writing up the same question! I agree, grammar is off-topic. However, copyediting itself is about far more than grammar, and we can't exclude it wholesale. (The proposal in Area 51 includes writers and editors.)

3
  • 2
    Indeed, but I think specific questions about English grammar should be asked on the English site.
    – Marcel Korpel
    Nov 18, 2010 at 21:08
  • 2
    The topic of copy-editing should be allowed, but copy-editing itself is probably crossing the line.
    – StrixVaria
    Nov 18, 2010 at 21:10
  • 2
    @StrixVaria - Putting up a paragraph and asking "please edit this" would be out of bounds, but "what are approaches to take to tell an author they're a lousy writer" or "how can I coordinate chapters with an author" would be legitimate questions. (Something more specific would be nice, of course.)
    – Goodbye Stack Exchange
    Nov 18, 2010 at 21:20
1

I would agree on allowing a question if it is specific about a small section (1-2 sentences). If someone is asking whether the grammar can be used, I think that there is value and helping people understand where and when different structures make sense.

Some writers work in a very casual style, and their flaunting of the rules of grammar can work. Allowing them a place to discuss things is a good idea. I can also see value in helping people understand when poor grammar is a problem.

1
  • I believe it should be acceptable for a writer to ask if the grammar he intends to use or has used is either appropriate or correct. This is just another way of helping to improve a person's writing and getting peer feedback.
    – Steven Drennon
    Jul 22, 2011 at 17:19

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .