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If I misspell something in a question, someone will usually come in and edit it immediately. But that buddy will not always answer the question.

Why is that so?

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    Most people know how to fix spelling and grammar. Not as many know the answer to a specific question. Is that so strange?
    – Oded StaffMod
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:36
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    @Lucifer: why? it's not about a specific question and I think most of us have seen that often enough (I personally have done that often enough).
    – Joachim Sauer
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:36
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    Sigh...really @matt? ;) P.s. please note that I'm not answering your question BalluSingh.
    – Bart
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:38
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    @Bart: Aww, come on buddy :(.
    – Matt
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:39

3 Answers 3

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Because they may not have the time? Or they want to focus on editing? Or they don't know the answer? The last one is rather common -- one need not be able to answer a question to fix grammar.

This is all volunteer work, they can be involved as much as they want. Stack Overflow is not your personal help assistant. Don't expect people to answer any question you ask just because they have seen the question.

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Just because I can edit your question doesn't mean I know the answer to it.

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    I never said it was a waste of my time. Don't put words in my mouth.
    – BoltClock's a Unicorn Mod
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:37
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    @BalluSingh it isn't wasting time editing poor spelling and grammar. By editing it, it is improving the standard of the question.
    – Ren
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:38
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    @BalluSingh: it's not wasted time. For one a well-written question is easier to understand and answer. And second, keep in mind that the original author of the question is one of many people who will read the answers. And if the question is well-written, then it's easier to find if you have a similar problem.
    – Joachim Sauer
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:38
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    @BalluSingh: Editing makes it easy for others to answer. You're getting free help here, don't be rude about it.
    – Manishearth
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:38
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    Fixing the question grammatically may help others better understand the question and therefore make it more likely to get an answer.
    – Mauro
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:39
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    @BalluSingh I'm not wasting my time. I really really (did I mention really?) get annoyed by poorly written/formatted posts. And correcting them is not only helpful to the author, but makes me happy as well. It's a win-win situation.
    – Bart
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:42
  • @Bart yes you mentioned really, don't worry.
    – Krishnabhadra
    Commented Apr 25, 2013 at 9:45
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Knowing how to correct grammar and spelling has no relevance to a person's knowledge of a particular subject matter, unless the question's subject matter is grammar and spelling.

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    In which case it should DEFINITELY be closed as off-topic. :D
    – Kyle Strand
    Commented Apr 27, 2013 at 10:08

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