Grammar missteps take many forms. I sometimes take them to a new level.
March 4th was National Grammar Day. The first time I learned that was in 2013 (when this post originally published). I was two days late sharing the event.
After such a lousy year in 2020, I vowed to do better in 2021. I created a blog post calendar and added recurring events – like this one.
- I scheduled an update.
- And I am doing one.
- Just a bit late – again.
Grammar can be such a pain sometimes.
Grammar Minefield
Do you dread talking about this touchy subject? You know it’s the kiss of death. If you’re like me, writing about it guarantees you’ll stumble somewhere.
But, if 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we have much bigger problems. Is that the sound of the Grammar Patrol protesting in outraged comments? I hear you.
So, consider this my pandemic response. I updated some grammar tips – in various forms – to help you through the minefield.
3 Simple Grammar Tips
The following graphic shows 3 simple tips you can employ to keep those nasty grammar gremlins at bay. Click on the link if you’d like a PDF version of 3 Simple Grammar Tips.
1. Customize your cheat sheets.
Do you find yourself making the same grammar missteps over and over again? I shared 10 of my worst.
Try keeping a list of those you tend to repeat. Then pull out that list as a part of your editing system for checking your business communication. Who knows? You may break a nasty habit by continually checking your writing.
2. Bookmark grammar sites.
One of the first sites that comes to mind for bloggers is Mignon Fogarty’s popular, Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty Tips. I’ll be updating my resources soon but would love to hear what some of your favorite sites are.
3. Purchase a grammar book.
Sometimes it’s nice to have all those little gremlins captured in one spot. I love having a reference book I can pull out. Because I am an old business writer, I prefer a paper book that I can mark up or flag pages. One of my favorites is the Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (I have no affiliation with this book).
For the ebook aficionados, you can develop your own system for referencing.
Be Kind to Yourself and Others
A last thought on this topic. Don’t beat yourself up when you do stumble. We all do it – even the Grammar Patrol. If you do help others by letting them know about a misstep, please do it discreetly.
One way I do that is by sending an email or direct message that points out the mistake as a professional courtesy. I’d like to know about a headline with a screaming typo but not through a public post screaming back.
What are your best tips for dealing with the nasty gremlins? Please share them in Comments.
Note: This March 15, 2021 version is and update to the post that published on March 6, 2013.
UPDATE: I told you it was the kiss of death. I found a typo in the 2021 version. 😀
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Helping you Keep it simple, clear & uniquely yours
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Grammar Day was on my birthday and I didn’t know? Next year I’ll remember and celebrate appropriately. And thanks for the heads up on Chicago Manual of Style Online. I’ll take a look at your Grammar Tips, too. Thanks, Cathy.
Happy belated birthday, Cheryl!
♫ Happy birthday to you ♫
♫ Happy birthday to you ♫
♫ Happy birthday, dear Cheryl ♫
♫ Happy birthday to you ♫
Trust me – you are better off with the written verse than me singing it. 🙂
I love the Chicago Manual Online, and you are very welcome, Cheryl.
Sigh, I didn’t know either… your tip sheet is helpful. Got one for lay and lie? My personal bug-a-boo.
Thanks, Anne. There are so many variations to lie and lay, it is a tough one. I often have to check myself.
Grammar Girl had a good tip with the phrase Lay it on me. As she explained it, a phrase from the 70s we could relate to. Laying something down requires an object – e.g., Lay the book on the table.
People lie down. The cynical side of me remembers it by thinking, People lie (as in telling an untruth). 😉 People and objects lie on their own.
But, then lay is also the past tense of lie. I think I’ll give up while I’m ahead (I think). 😉
I really like the grammar tips in your PDF Cathy. I’ve been reviewing grammar over the last few weeks, a task I try to do at least once a year.
I wonder how editors deal with feeling like they have to know everything about English grammar.
That is one reason I no longer offer editing services. 🙂 I don’t know if it’s just me, but the older I get, the more I rely on cheat sheets to check my writing.
I often wonder if it’s the relaxing of grammar online that has me questioning myself on the correct use of certain terms. Either that or I’m just getting old. 😉
Thanks for sharing your point of view, John.
My problem with grammar is pronunciation
When you’re from the south and you’re country AND hood you got it bad when it comes to practicing eloquence with the ‘Kings English’.
It’s hard as hell getting grammar right when you say half the words “wrong.”
Ha haaaaa!
I stopped caring though and focused on what I had to say, forget if I was saying it exactly right.