Can't deal with it anymore

Some grammar rules (and embarrassing mistakes!) transcend the uniqueness of different regions and style guides. This new International Grammar section by OnlineBookClub.org ultimately identifies those rules thus providing a simple, flexible rule-set, respecting the differences between regions and style guides. You can feel free to ask general questions about spelling and grammar. You can also provide example sentences for other members to proofread and inform you of any grammar mistakes.

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Kristin Paolantonio
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Can't deal with it anymore

Post by Kristin Paolantonio »

I am so aggravated. I don't know how everyone else deals with it. I love reading and reviewing books! I finally got the hang of it. I was getting higher scores. Today I received a second scorecard a week later than the first one. My first scorecard found no errors. The second one counted 3 errors. I disagree but am not going to argue it. I even used all the grammar checkers. The scoring is so subjective it is ridiculous. I just need to vent before I go. I really wish things were different because I enjoyed reading the books and writing reviews.
Thank you to those who have helped me. I did learn a lot.
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Diana Lowery
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Post by Diana Lowery »

Kristin Paolantonio wrote: 17 Mar 2025, 16:48 I am so aggravated. I don't know how everyone else deals with it. I love reading and reviewing books! I finally got the hang of it. I was getting higher scores. Today I received a second scorecard a week later than the first one. My first scorecard found no errors. The second one counted 3 errors. I disagree but am not going to argue it. I even used all the grammar checkers. The scoring is so subjective it is ridiculous. I just need to vent before I go. I really wish things were different because I enjoyed reading the books and writing reviews.
Thank you to those who have helped me. I did learn a lot.
Kristin,
I can certainly empathize with your frustration. I think we have all been there. It is hard not to be disappointed with your score after working hard on a review. I urge you to reach out to the editor that you disagree with. It will benefit that person and help others, too.
I hope you will reconsider.
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Alys Sterk
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Post by Alys Sterk »

This should be objective. It's either an error or not. I'm guessing the two editors are likely disputing it right now. I also understand it's frustrating. If you really like books, I think you should stay. :)

I would also look up the error and make sure you're right. Then request a recheck from the editor and provide a link to a reputable source showing you're correct.
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Bertha Jackson
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Post by Bertha Jackson »

I understand your frustration. There seems to be an influx of new editors who do not understand the difference between objective and subjective errors or how to write a concise review. For example, a sentence can lack conciseness but still be grammatically correct. I encourage you to ask for a recheck, and if you still feel they have made a mistake, appeal to an admin. This is the only way they can be made aware of the problem. Please reconsider your decision. I wish you the best.
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Joanna Perry
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Post by Joanna Perry »

I agree with the other reviewers saying this happens to all of us. The editors make mistakes, but the reviewer suffers the low score. It is frustrating when you know you are correct. On the other hand, many editors are encouraging and positive in their comments and make me feel appreciated. I hope you don't leave the Club. Why not ask for a recheck and see what results?
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Cheshire_wolf
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Post by Cheshire_wolf »

Same here! Then today I got points taken off my scorecard for the editors opinion of a word needing to be added! Because of that opinion it would have naturally made my correct sentence not correct and 2 points lost but I had previously checked the way I had it was just fine, without the added word, and that it was just the editors opinion. Yet it's valid and so points were taken off and my errors were 0 /40 when again there shouldn't have been any!

Editor Comments:
I had a feeling (that,) throughout the entire time…

…the entire time(,) he was..


My 1st sentence was just fine without (that,) it was how I wrote it in my own words. But apparently no it wasn't correct.

This is how the sentence was without the *opion* that took off points:

While reading the story, I had a feeling throughout the entire time he was recalling his story like a memoir or diary. <--- how is this wrong?!
🌺𝔄𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔫 𝔊𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔢𝔯🌺
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Cheshire_wolf
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Post by Cheshire_wolf »

Bertha Jackson wrote: 31 Mar 2025, 10:18 I understand your frustration. There seems to be an influx of new editors who do not understand the difference between objective and subjective errors or how to write a concise review. For example, a sentence can lack conciseness but still be grammatically correct. I encourage you to ask for a recheck, and if you still feel they have made a mistake, appeal to an admin. This is the only way they can be made aware of the problem. Please reconsider your decision. I wish you the best.

I actually did this, appeal to the admin. However they thought the answer was still valid—which it was not, it was an opinion of the editor—that caused them to say I had typos and that I needed to proofread. I found the comment rude and unneeded
🌺𝔄𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔫 𝔊𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔢𝔯🌺
Creole
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Post by Creole »

I understand that these discrepancies can be frustrating. Hang on in there; it happens to many of us.

It's frustrating when one editor's view differs from another's, leading to a low score. While I've always accepted the results, in the future, if I'm fully persuaded, I'll reach out to the editor involved to address such discrepancies. Remember, our goal is to improve the process, which might benefit everyone.
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