Would it really look that bad?

Gen A got left behind on spelling and grammar. Too much of it that they use is automated, they find grammar to be lame, and thanks to our "pass kids or lose funding" system of public schools they all just get to coast through while not really learning much.

Yes extremely brand new phenomenon.

Everyone expects the LLMs to do it for them

ChatGPT said:

Great question — and kind of a loaded one, right? It definitely feels like reading and spelling skills have taken a nosedive in recent years. There are a few reasons people often point to:

1. Tech dependence: Autocorrect and predictive text mean we don’t have to think about spelling anymore. Same with grammar checkers. It’s like outsourcing our brains to our devices.
2. Less reading for fun: People, especially younger generations, tend to read less traditional material (like books or long articles) and more short-form content (texts, tweets, memes). That impacts vocabulary and attention to proper language.
3. Educational shifts: Some argue schools have moved away from foundational skills like phonics and spelling drills in favor of broader literacy or test-focused approaches. Others say students aren’t getting enough one-on-one help, especially in underfunded schools.
4. Language evolution: English is constantly changing. Spelling gets looser, grammar rules shift, and new words enter the mix all the time. Some see this as decline, others as evolution.

But what’s your take — are you seeing this in schools, at work, online?

Is that the traditional or modern definition of “literal”?