Grammar Anyone?

Should you go there, their or they’re?

Should you insure or ensure something gets included?

Should you advise someone to make sure they’re receiving the best advice? Or is it the other way around?

The list goes on and on, and that’s before you’ve even started on punctuation rules or making sure all your (or is it you’re?) verbs are in their proper tense. There’s a lot to remember.

You’re on a tight deadline and you’re firing off emails to other equally busy people. Does it really matter whether you use accept or except? The short answer is yes: grammar counts.  Here’s why:

First impressions really do matter. Research has shown that people will form judgments about other people in less than a second of meeting them for the first time, and it doesn’t take much longer when you’re using the written word. A bad first impression can be tough to overcome. You want to make sure you come across as the competent professional you are.

Bad grammar can undo that impression very quickly, no matter how good you may be at what you do. “If they can’t write a simple email, how will they handle my account?” they may ask. These aren’t the types of questions you want your clients asking themselves.

Proper grammar, correct spelling and good sentence structure will earn you respect and will inspire confidence in those with whom you communicate. 

Business communication is different from a free-form novel in which you can express your thoughts in any number of creative ways. In business, communication needs to be both precise and concise. Consider the famous example of “Let’s eat, Grandma” versus “Let’s eat Grandma.”  The addition of a simple comma makes all the difference in the meaning. 

In a business setting, a misunderstood word or phrase can cause all sorts of problems and delays.  At the very least it may cause a flurry of emails back and forth seeking clarification, wasting valuable time for both you, and your recipient. It may even do more damage than that. Poorly worded communications have hurt feelings, permanently damaged otherwise productive professional relationships or snuffed out potentially lucrative business opportunities before they can even get started. 

In a very real sense, you are what you write. People will read what you send them and, like it or not, will judge you accordingly. You probably wouldn’t go to a business meeting in your pajamas, nor would you want your business’ website to be tacky and poorly organized. Taking the time to make sure your wording is clear, your sentences precise, and your spelling spotless, ensures your clients will think of you and your business the right way.