Comments on: Good grammar might derail your career

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:16:39 +0000

Bad grammar means that the writer doesn't care about being correct. And, if the writer doesn't care about being correct, you had better not be taking her seriously.

One useful skill is to be able to distinguish a native-language dummy from a person who is struggling with a new language. It can be done. People who learn new languages are to be admired.

By: 10 Ways To Make People Actually Read Your Emails | The Content Strategist

10 Ways To Make People Actually Read Your Emails | The Content Strategist — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:16:00 +0000

[...] Trunk claims that judging people on spelling and grammar is passé. Some members of your audience may agree. Others will delete an error-ridden email. [...]

By: Emma

Emma — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:16:00 +0000

I disagree with your assertion that education plays a role in one's understanding of grammar rules. I'm not perfect, but I have pretty good grammar and spelling for an 18-year-old. However, I rarely paid attention in high school and nearly flunked out. I've only completed one year of college, and failed English class during my first semester. My friends are TERRIBLE with both verbal and written grammar. I also rarely read books, nor did I as a child. I think some people just have a better feeling for sentence rhythm and structure than others. I started reading at age two, so maybe that has something to do with it.
As much as I love grammar and spelling, I don't find it particularly important unless you're writing something for school. On the internet, write however you want. Writing's supposed to be a form of self-expression and communication. To apply strict rules to that would be stifling and would obstruct the flow between fingers and mind.

By: grammarlover

grammarlover — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 20:48:51 +0000

Affect and effect can each function as either verb or noun.
The sad movie affected (had an effect on) his affect (emotion).
She effected (made happen) the desired effect.
(not that anyone would want to use either of these specific sentences.)

I think it's good to learn basic grammar and spelling, especially those rules that apply over 90% of the time, such as it's vs. its.
A lot of grammar and even spelling rules have a logic and beauty to them. Understand the logic and you'll rarely slip.
Example: its vs. it's
ask yourself:
can I replace it with "it is"?
if and only if yes, then use the apostrophe.

There's a bit more to apostrophes, but understand the logic of apostrophes once (preferably before 5th grade, when you still have lots of time on your hands), and you'll always use apostrophes correctly.

Folks who refrain from using grossly incorrect language (e.g., It's switch is red, and its time to turn it off) make their business look worthier and more reputable.

But I agree there exist lots of silly style rules, many of them overly picky and subjective, and I pay ltd. attn. to 'em.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:20:33 +0000

I was a language arts teacher, high school and college, for 24 years before becoming a professional writer and editor. I had always taught it's like doing dishes. If you don't do the dishes or vacuum up when you've scheduled me to visit your house, I'm probably close family.

But I'm not, then WTF?

I won't notice that you *did* do the dishes. It's just expected. I'll certainly notice if you *didn't* do them. While you're trying to make small talk, I'll be partly distracted wondering why you let that go. And I'll wonder what it implies about your regard for me. Did I have to be more important before that mattered to you?

Following the conventions of written English is usually not so much about clarity as it is about showing the reader that what you wrote for him or her mattered enough to edit it well.

No. It's more. It's that you thought the *reader* mattered.

Those who notice your errors become distracted or even annoyed with you. That's not good writing.

Letting your writing go public without editing it well is about the same as shoving it at them, saying, "I'm too important to make sure this is correct for you," or "This wasn't important enough to waste more of my time on — but I expect you to read it."

-JF Bradfield (Sr. writer/editor of an PR firm)

By: Bingo Babe

Bingo Babe — Sun, 01 May 2011 20:47:41 +0000

Hey, I really liked this article and definitely agree that good grammar is important, no matter what your writing style. I mostly write in an informal style, however that doesn't give me an excuse to throw the book out the window and start writing like an illiterate 8 year old. Thanks again.

By: Grammar Shrammar « Moving Girl

Grammar Shrammar « Moving Girl — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 02:31:00 +0000

[...] Good Grammar, Sort of". The entire article was inspired by another blogger named Penelope Trunk who believed that we judge people on the lack of good grammar and maybe we should stop doing this [...]

By: The most important reason for using good grammar. | Muse around.

The most important reason for using good grammar. | Muse around. — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 23:26:33 +0000

[...] been an editor of technology books for several years. His blog post, like mine, was a reaction to another article by Penelope Trunk. She wrote a blog post defending poor grammar with the argument that as long as [...]

By: the grammar police WILL get you « Martha's So-Called Life

the grammar police WILL get you « Martha's So-Called Life — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:51:37 +0000

[...] stumbled across this blog post and then had to read this one and this one. Let me just say that I sort of agree with the first one and very much disagree with the last [...]

By: fck you

fck you — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:11:05 +0000

this is all about your self-righteousness, miss.