Correcting Other Peoples Grammar

Correcting Other Peoples Grammar A suggestion . . . dont do it. Every once in a great while, a typo or grammatical error appears in the newsletter. I have a wonderful proofreader, and, between us, we comb the newsletter each week. But hey, sometimes when the stars align and we both have a bad week, an item slips There is little more insulting than for someone who never offers positive feedback, to smugly tell someone that their grammar is wrong. Let me explain why. 1) Once the words are said and/or published, they cannot be taken back, regardless of how noble the criticism. You did wrong, becomes more the message. 2) Rather than educate the person (as the critic often states is their motive), theyve insulted them. Unless the critic is personally close to the individual, their criticism will be considered  critical, not enlightening. 3) The critic is remembered as a critic. They are burning a bridge. 4) The mistake might be a one-time thing. Better to wait and identify a trend rather than pounce on a happenstance slip. Critics will often begin their assessment with one of the following remarks: 1) I normally love your work, but this mistake bothered me 2) You are normally keener than this, but I couldnt help but notice 3) I used to be an English teacher/bestselling novelist/editor/term paper grader and cannot help myself 4) Sorry, but Ive always been fanatical about grammar, and I couldnt help but notice If its not repetitious, dont do it. Even then, think twice. Trust me; you arent remembered in a fond light. A week ago, a gentleman wrote about using THEIR as a singular pronoun, stating that I made a mistake. Then he downplayed it, joking, typing in jumbled up, misspelled words  that he wasnt necessarily a professional but just wanted to bring it to my attention. My response was that I dont correct other people. Once something is published, it cannot be undone. However, since he opened that door, I wanted to cite places that use/endorse/explain using THEIR in a singular context. In return, he got mad for being corrected and unsubscribed. Just think twice before correcting someone else. We arent always so perfect ourselves.