In this article we’ll highlight the critical role of grammar in enhancing professionalism, credibility, audience respect, focus, and clarity in both written and spoken language. It asserts that precise grammar conveys professionalism, bolsters author credibility, respects audiences, maintains their attention, and reduces distractions.
We’ll discuss the difference in grammar application between writing and speaking, emphasizing formality in written language. Additionally, our post discusses the impact of grammar on SEO and advises using grammar-checking tools for improvement.
5 Reasons Why Grammar Is Important
The table below contains the main 5 benefits of following English grammar rules.
| Benefit | Summary |
|---|---|
| Professionalism | Proper grammar indicates professionalism, essential in the business world, avoiding the negative impact of poor grammar on client and colleague perception. |
| Author Credibility | Correct grammar enhances an author’s credibility, as poor grammar can lead to doubts about the accuracy and quality of the information provided. |
| Respect For The Audience | Using correct grammar shows respect for the audience, as it reflects the effort taken to present information clearly and accurately. |
| Maintain Audience Focus | Good grammar helps maintain audience focus in an era of short attention spans, preventing confusion and distraction caused by grammatical errors. |
| Eliminates Distractions | Proper grammar provides clarity and eliminates distractions, allowing the reader to focus on the message rather than being sidetracked by errors. |
#1) Professionalism
In the age of computers and smartphones, we have no mistake for publishing a piece of content that is littered with English or British grammar mistakes. To an audience, it signifies a total lack of professionalism.
Would a professional writer neglect such basic grammar skills? The audience won’t think so. If you want to be taken seriously in the business world, it’s important to watch your grammar. Think about the however punctuation rules for example. Unfortunately, poor grammar is all too common, and it can send the wrong message to clients and colleagues.
#2) Author Credibility
In today’s age of information, it’s important to be able to trust your sources. After all, with so much false information floating around, it’s hard to know what to believe.
Fake news! I don’t believe you!
Unfortunately, poor grammar can damage the credibility of an author. When readers see mistakes like overly long paragraphs & typos, they may not take the author seriously. Knowing how long should a paragraph be is very important! When an author repeatedly uses incorrect grammar the audience may question the quality of the information and wonder if the author is really an expert on the topic.
Incorrect grammar can have a major impact on how readers perceive an author. If a reader can’t trust the accuracy of a writer’s grammar…how can they trust the accuracy of the information?
#3) Respect For The Audience
With advancements in technology, there is no excuse for grammar mistakes. There are devices on our phones and computers that effectively act as a grammar checker. In a few seconds, software programs like Grammarly or ProWritingAid can scan your writing for proper grammar.
Taking a few minutes to use a proofreading checklist to review your work can ensure correct grammar is used. The audience will feel disrespected if the author couldn’t be bothered to check their work for good grammar.
#4) Maintain Audience Focus
In the age of social media, it is harder than ever to maintain your audience’s focus. TikTok has taught us to pay attention for just 10 seconds at a time. Even the slightest distraction and your audience is clicking off or putting that book down. For example, don’t use compound verbs in your writing if you don’t know how to use them!
Perfecting your written grammar skills is the best way to avoid unnecessary distractions to your audience. reading a piece of writing, poor grammar can be extremely distracting. For example, look at the phrases he has risen & he is risen. If you don’t choose the right one your audience will be left confused.
A small typo here or there is understandable, but multiple errors can quickly lose the reader’s focus. In some cases, it can even be difficult to understand what the author is trying to say. Take the time to polish your work, and you’ll be rewarded with a much smoother reading experience for your audience.
#5) Eliminates Distractions
Many people believe that using proper grammar is important in order to be taken seriously. While this may be true in some cases, good grammar also provides clarity and eliminates distractions for the reader.
When a sentence is well-constructed, the reader can focus on the message instead of being sidetracked by errors. In addition, good grammar helps to establish credibility and competence. Bad grammar, on the other hand, can cause confusion. There are so many words in the English language that sound identical and have totally different meanings. Think Annalist or Analyst, Exoteric or Esoteric, and Wear or Ware. Picking the wrong word can totally change the meaning of your sentence.
After all, if a writer can’t even get the basics right, how can the reader trust them on more complex topics?
Punctuation Is Powerful
Punctuation can have a huge impact on written language. In fact, it is one of the most important parts of a sentence. It can change the flow & meaning of a sentence! For example:
- How you use apostrophes can signify ownership or be a simple contraction. Think about the holiday St. Valentine’s Day for an example of how to use an apostrophe.
- How you use commas can change the pace of a sentence and impact the overall sentence structure. For example, you should normally place a comma before the phrase “as well as“.
Of course, punctuation isn’t just important for changing the meaning of sentences. It can also be used for emphasis or dramatic effect. Learning the basic rules of punctuation, like how to use a hyphen in “in person”, can ensure you have good communication skills for years to come!
You can also consider the phrases doctor’s appointment or doctors appointment. Simply adding an apostrophe completes changes the meaning of a phrase!
Written vs Spoken Grammar
When people think of proper grammar, they often think of writing. However, grammar also covers verbal communication skills. There is no doubt that writing has a more strict standard for proper grammar. For example, in verbal conversation it is not as important to consider does the comma go before or after but as it is with written communication. The truth is that most people use a small amount of local slang in their daily conversations.
- You might call your best friend and say “Watchya up to?”
- However, you would not write an email to your boss that was covered with grammatical errors. “Yo boss wassup?”
Written language has always been more formal than verbal communication. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore basic grammar rules in your daily conversations! You have to be even more aware of your word choice in formal writing. You would not want to use slang words like momma or even mama in formal writing.
Correct Grammar For SEO
SEO stands for search engine optimization. This is a term many online bloggers and writers are familiar with. Google values correct grammar. In fact, it is a ranking factor in their algorithm! This is because Google knows the value of good grammar. They check the length of your paragraphs and other grammar principles. Writing that is littered with grammar mistakes will create a poor user experience.
Proper Grammar FAQs
Grammar is important for students because it helps them learn how to express themselves. The better their grammar skills, the more clearly they can communicate their thoughts and ideas. Grammar also helps students become more aware of the structure and organization of language, which can be helpful for writing essays and other types of papers.
There are two main ways to teach grammar: deductively and inductively. Deductive teaching starts with a set of rules and builds on them, while inductive teaching starts with examples and then generalizes from them.
Good grammar makes your writing easier to understand for readers. It also gives your writing a more professional tone. Grammar mistakes can make your writing look unprofessional and sloppy.
There are two main types of grammar – prescriptive and descriptive. Prescriptive grammar is the type of grammar that is taught in schools and which dictates how language should be used. Descriptive grammar, on the other hand, is the type of grammar that observes how language is actually used.
Lindley Murray is widely considered to be the father of grammar. Although grammar has come a long way since the 18th century, it all started with the Grammarian Lindley Murray.
The Bottom Line
Grammatical errors happen to the best of us. It can take years to master all the correct grammar rules. At least now you understand the importance of grammar in your writing and daily conversations. If you struggle with grammar, consider using a tool like our free grammar checker. This tool will check your writing for correct grammatical elements in just seconds!