A friend was typing an email last week, and as she tried coming up with the right words for one sentence, she stopped dead in her tracks and asked from across the table, "Is it dawned on me—like a sunrise with 'awn' in the middle—or donned on me with the double n?
Naturally, I knew the answer right away. After all ... it's my job to know these things! Plus, I'd never want to disappoint a friend. But would anyone else know? Do you know?
Most people might say yes, but this phrase trips more people up than you might think.
So, let's clear up any lingering confusion.
Dawned on me means to realize or start to appear.
It just dawned on me that today is Friday.
It didn't dawn on me until yesterday.
It finally dawned on me that she was joking.
To write "donned on me" is wrong. Don means to put something on (clothing, hat, etc.).
He donned the famous fedora hat.
The hunter will don his camouflage before he goes hunting.
He donned the famed Yankees pinstripes one more time.
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It's fun to tease friends for grammar mistakes or point out other errors in written copy. But any spelling or grammar error in business writing—brochures, website copy, blog posts, press releases, newsletters, etc.—wreaks havoc on your company's image.
Studies show that when choosing between two companies, customers prefer the one with clear and error-free written communication.
We hope you enjoyed today's blog. If you want to have Edit This® handle your company's content writing and editing needs, call us today! We can write copy from scratch or spruce up your writing. Everyone could use an extra set of eyes when it comes to grammar.
STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also a consultant, coach, and the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion for the Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.Â