I just wrote an email to send to my mailing list. I read it and read it again to check for sense. Then I read it again to check for grammar.
Luckily, I sent a test email because when the test came through, I noted a grammatical error.
Families verses family’s
One is plural (more than one!) and one is possessive (belongs to!). Out of context I totally know which one is which, but when including in a piece of writing my memory becomes overwhelmed and I’m focussing on what I am saying rather than how it is spelt! Even when reading it back through I don’t always notice errors.
The sentence I wanted to write was actually possessive:
Her family’s journey… referring to a journey they made as a family.
What I had actually written was:
Her families journey… implying there was more than one family.
A little thing… and I rule I understand, but just because I understand it doesn’t mean that I can always use it correctly! I had read that email three times before sending the test. It was only because today I had time to step away and reread, I noticed it.
So, we can begin to understand how in a busy classroom environment or in an exam situation where we are under pressure, we make these errors and are not given the time to correct them. Whilst it needs pointing out because ultimately, it’s not right, it can be embarrassing and chip away at self-esteem, mostly because we understand what is wrong and are annoyed with ourselves for not noticing.
Do you know, if we know what the person is saying, it is more important than us correcting them and then them being way too scared to use their voice. Correcting grammar can actually silent a person’s voice.
So next time you point out an error to a student or a fellow adult on social media, have a bit of patience and think before typing. They will either be completely unaware of the difference or maybe just not noticed. It won’t be because they don’t care or are unintelligent but consider that they could be being brave wanting to use their voice to get their point across and are thinking about what they want to say rather than how to spell it!
Let’s not silence people by picking up on tiny errors! Be kind.