It’s Called Grammar, Y’all! (aka – Words Matter)

If there has been a week gone by in recent memory where I did not read an email with a gross grammatical error or obvious misspelling, I can’t remember it. It goes without saying that, in the business world, we should be able to spell correctly, conjugate appropriately, and hold our sentences together with grammar that enhances our prose, rather than detract from it.

That said, it is not accurate to say that the workplace is full of proper grammarians who value the correct use of “your” vs. “you’re” and spelling that is on point. So, while there are hordes of web posts espousing the accurate use of both grammar and spelling, it seems there is the need for at least one more (if not 2,000 more) to secure understanding among the business working masses. As such, I am going to wade into those waters as well.

This is not an extensive list, but the list below is a set of my personal favorites (or rather non-favorites) that continues to pop up in emails, presentations, and spoken word. Take notice, y’all. It’s a dog-eat-dog world (not doggy-dog) out there and the right spelling and grammar can set you that small measure apart from the person who continually expresses that he or she is “literally LOL,” when reading emails from the rest of the office (and that person is actually sitting next to you not even mildly chuckling).

WORD CONFUSION

Their – as in, someone owns something… “Will and Skylar are wicked smart. Their team is going to win the workplace idea challenge.”

They’re – a contraction for “they are…” “Morgan and Chuckie are on the other program team. They’re going to get torched by Will and Skylar.”

There – as a reference to location… “The winning team gets to have dinner with our CEO at the L Street Tavern. They have to go there? Yes… they have to go there.”

 __________

Your – as in, you own something… “Clark, your formula for that non-nutritive cereal varnish was money!”

You’re – a contraction for “you are…” “You’re one of the last true family men, Clark.”

 __________ 

Weather – this is the condition of the sky outside… rainy, sunny, etc… “Phil has got to be one of the most underrated weather forecasters ever.”

Whether – typically indicating a choice between alternatives… “Larry is deciding right now whether we should leave Punxsutawney now, or stay for a while longer.”

  __________

It’s – a contraction for “it is” or “it has…” “Russ, it’s not an easy choice to decide whether to become a monk or join the Army.”

Its – as in, one thing owns another or is possessive… “The EM-50 is a primo Urban Assault Vehicle. Can you guess its color?”

   __________

PRONUNCIATION, SPELLING & JUST PLAIN WRONG USE

Literally – Exactly, actually, and without exaggeration… “I’m literally dying of laughter here!” No, no you aren’t. Your expiration via laughter is figurative.

Especially – The word is not spelled or pronounced eXspecially.

I seen vs. I saw vs. I’ve seen – “I seen them run their test.” No, you did not seen them do it. Either you SAW them do it, or you HAVE (you’ve) SEEN them do it.

Nuclear vs. Nucular – Every time President George W. Bush pronounced the world nuclear as nu-cu-lar, I cringed.

Et cetera (aka – etc.) – This word is pronounced as et cet-er-a… not eKcetera or eXcetera. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve heard this one in the last 10 years. For those who are interested, Et Cetera is Latin for “and” “the rest”).

February – There is a letter “R” in there, folks. And, while it feels strange to pronounce it, it SHOULD be pronounced.

Supposedly, not supposably – There is no B in the word supposedly. There never has been one. (Yeah, I know, there is a word spelled supposably, but the meaning is a bit different and is not the word most people are actually trying to say.)

Dog-eat-dog world – There is no such thing as a “doggy-dog world.” It’s a “dog-eat-dog” world,” and I’m wearing Milk Bone underwear.

Probably, not prolly – Prolly is not a word. Period.

Moot, not Mute – This is probably my favorite “nails on the chalkboard” mispronunciation often overheard. “It’s a mute point.” No, it is not. Unless you mean that the point can’t speak. The word “moot” actually means “open to question,” but is most often used to refer to a thought or point that is “not worth debating.”

*stepping off soap box*