Write correctly
The continued growth of social media sees people of all ages sharing their thoughts and other information. And in most cases those thoughts are unedited: no one checks what finishes up in the public domain. Even the President of the US can get it wrong.
While you might reckon that if you've lived long enough you'd know correct from incorrect, but should-have-known-better mistakes continue often 'killing' the main intention and meaning of the message. Grammatical errors can make readers cringe.
Consider three of the main standouts - the incorrect use of 'were' for 'we're', 'there' for 'their' or 'they're', and 'your' for 'you're'. And, when the incorrect word is used, not only does it standout like the proverbial sore thumb but also conveys an undesired message about the writer.
One of the most inconsistently used punctuation marks is the apostrophe. In contractions, a close relative, an apostrophe is used to indicate that a letter (or letters) has been omitted. Contractions seem to cause the most hassles on social media. Consider these examples.
You're brilliant - translation You are brilliant. NEVER 'Your brilliant.'
We're open for business - We are open for business. NEVER 'Were open for business.'
They're looking forward to seeing you - They are looking forward to seeing you. NEVER 'Their (or There) looking forward to seeing you.
Other 'regulars' include
It's a hot day - It is a hot day.
Don't drink and drive - Do notdrink and drive.
I'd havegiven the show a miss - I would have given the show a miss
There's never an excuse for getting it wrong. Before hitting the send button:
Search online for the correct usage.
Checkout others' usage.
Use an editor (if you have time).
Make sure that when you have your say, it says what you want to say. How you say it, says a lot about you.
Thank you
While you might reckon that if you've lived long enough you'd know correct from incorrect, but should-have-known-better mistakes continue often 'killing' the main intention and meaning of the message. Grammatical errors can make readers cringe.
Consider three of the main standouts - the incorrect use of 'were' for 'we're', 'there' for 'their' or 'they're', and 'your' for 'you're'. And, when the incorrect word is used, not only does it standout like the proverbial sore thumb but also conveys an undesired message about the writer.
One of the most inconsistently used punctuation marks is the apostrophe. In contractions, a close relative, an apostrophe is used to indicate that a letter (or letters) has been omitted. Contractions seem to cause the most hassles on social media. Consider these examples.
You're brilliant - translation You are brilliant. NEVER 'Your brilliant.'
We're open for business - We are open for business. NEVER 'Were open for business.'
They're looking forward to seeing you - They are looking forward to seeing you. NEVER 'Their (or There) looking forward to seeing you.
Other 'regulars' include
It's a hot day - It is a hot day.
Don't drink and drive - Do notdrink and drive.
I'd havegiven the show a miss - I would have given the show a miss
There's never an excuse for getting it wrong. Before hitting the send button:
Search online for the correct usage.
Checkout others' usage.
Use an editor (if you have time).
Make sure that when you have your say, it says what you want to say. How you say it, says a lot about you.
Thank you
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