The world can be a grammatically incorrect place sometimes, but in everyone's defense, it's not like the English language does us any favors. Honestly, it's all so confusing.
Take homophones, for example. These are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Words like roll and role or compliment and complement make even the savviest of us writers and editors slow down and, at times, do a double-take to ensure the content we are working on is clear and error-free.
At Edit This®, eliminating confusion through education is an important element in our continually growing list of writing and editing services for small-business owners.
In today's grammar lesson, let's dive into the difference between weather and whether.
When we write weather, we are either referring to the climate outside (rain, snow, ice, temperature, etc.) or the ability to withstand something.
* The Mavericks must weather a late rally to hang on for the win.
* The weather outside is frightful.
* I am confident we will weather this storm together.
We use Whether in a sentence when we are expressing doubt, inquiry, or if we are choosing between two alternatives.
* I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I watch that movie.
* I plan to go to the party whether you go with me or not.
* I'll see whether she's at home.
Call Edit This in Denton, TX for all your writing and editing needs
It's fun to tease friends on Facebook or point out errors in written copy, but any spelling or grammar error in business writing – brochures, advertisements, your website copy, blogs, press releases, newsletters, a postcard, etc. – wreak havoc on your company's image.
In fact, studies consistently show that when choosing between two companies, most customers prefer the one with clear and error-free written communication.
If you're interested in having Edit This handle your company's content writing and editing needs, give us a call today! We can write copy from scratch or spruce up what you already have. Bottom line, when it comes to grammar, everyone could use an extra set of eyes.
*STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This, a writing and editing services company located in Denton, TX. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.