Negative first impressions
I am certainly not infallible when it comes to grammar myself, so please don't take this the wrong way. I have been to many new websites of WA members and I am disturbed to see just how many basic spelling and grammar mistakes are being made. I totally understand that perhaps English isn't your first language. However, sometimes I can see that the content is really good but I find it hard to read because of all the mistakes.
I think it is such a pity because however great your content may be, if it is littered with errors, readers form a negative first impression and will have a hard time building up trust in your reviews and opinions. Grammarly.com has a totally free version available for Microsoft Office. If you download it, it shows you all your basic errors when you write a post and how to fix them. You may find it rather irritating to use at first but it is well worth it. It can even help you to improve your English as you will start to understand what mistakes you are making on a consistent basis.
Sorry this is a bit of a rant but if you are someone who battles with this issue, I have your future success in mind!
Recent Comments
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Thanks, Erica, I also was stumbling against grammar mistakes while English is not my mother tongue. I also use Grammarly. Even now, typing this reply, it kept me from 3 mistakes. :-)
Cheers,
Rodney
I am a word smith by trade but still I make spelling and grammar mistakes. I am unaware of Grammarly.com. I will check it out. DAN
Check it out Dan, it really does help. I make a living with my writing and I am always still making mistakes.
I have checked it out and I have now loaded it. It is quite remarkable. Maybe Kyle should add a training session regarding the use of Grammarly? I too have noticed some fairly poor English, Spelling, and the use of inappropriate words (wrong word use) in pieces I have read by others in WA. DAN
You are quite right and ,so to speak as a foreigner, if you ever find stupid mistakes on my websites, please don't hesitate to point them out, I will be very greatful!
Hi Loes, I make mistakes as an English speaking person, so I can imagine how difficult it is for someone with English as a second language.
Hi Erica, I totally agree with you Grammarly is a great piece of software that comes in handy, and yes it is free!
Best...
Erica.....super post.....you have managed to write, saying what I've been wanting to for some time now, but never had the gumption (courage) to do. Nice going and thank you for making the Grammarly suggestion. It's hard to imagine how someone expects a web site to be taken seriously when it's published with poor grammar and misspelled words. I see it all the time on the web, even in sites promoting tips for good content writing...........go figure.
Wayne
I hesitated about writing this but felt it was in the best interests of those in the community. Nobody is infallible and I feel we are all here to help one another in whatever way possible to achieve goals.
I agree with you......and I notice no negative comments. I proof read to a fault actually and still, typos get through. I notice the texting abbreviated "lazy language" creeping into the forums and social sites now......makes me want to scream out loud.
Wayne
HI Erica. Great post. When I was a copywriter my clients expected the copy to be perfect when it was delivered. They were not paying to fix my mistakes. If we think of our audience as clients who will be paying us for what we deliver might make a difference. I'miss as guilty as the next person in letting errors get through. It"seems always a good idea to have a second set of eyes take a look at our stuff before clicking "publish". And if something does get through, go back and fix it.
Ha, ha! Good one. Yes, having someone else take a look certainly helps and fortunately there is always the opportunity to go back and fix mistakes (which we all make even when we check and check!)
That is very true. Our posts, hypothetically, last forever. It is worth the effort to go back and fix.
You done good by makes us aware of it. Eye four won toe tally agrees with you and stuff. Dis is certainly know laughing mattress¿
No, but seriously, you are right. I use Grammarly. It's annoying but makes my writing better.
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I am legally blind so obviously this is an issue for me. But I made it through grad school on my own. Grammarly is great and everyone in my company uses it.
I think it is amazing what you have accomplished in spite of being legally blind!