Summary

The author expresses a strong dislike for the "grammar police," individuals who harshly criticize others' grammar and spelling mistakes, advocating instead for understanding and constructive assistance.

Abstract

The article titled "Why I Hate the Grammar Police" by Kat Morris argues against the unsympathetic correction of grammar and spelling errors by those the author deems as "grammar police." Morris contends that these individuals, who take pleasure in pointing out mistakes, often do so with an air of superiority and a lack of empathy for the writer's circumstances, such as mental health issues, fatigue, or the natural process of writing and editing. The author emphasizes that minor errors should not detract from the overall message of a piece and that the focus should be on the content and effort put into writing. Morris cites a scientific study published in PLOS One that suggests people who are overly critical of grammatical mistakes tend to have less agreeable personalities and are more judgmental. The article concludes by encouraging kindness and support for writers who make errors, reminding readers that everyone is prone to mistakes and that being a bad editor does not equate to being a bad writer.

Opinions

The author has a negative view of individuals who harshly criticize grammar and spelling errors, labeling them as "jerks."
Mistakes in writing are seen as a natural part of the human experience and should not be a source of ridicule or judgment.
Editors who help improve writing in a constructive and private manner are highly valued by the author.
The author believes that the enjoyment and understanding of written content should take precedence over grammatical perfection.
The article suggests that those who fixate on grammatical errors may lack empathy and have less agreeable personalities, according to a scientific study.
The author advocates for kindness and patience, especially towards those who may struggle with writing due to disabilities or learning difficulties.
Morris emphasizes that the ability to write and convey ideas is more important than the ability to edit perfectly.

Why I Hate the Grammar Police

Science agrees with me that they’re jerks

Ever encountered someone who LOVES correcting your grammar and spelling? They’re the type of person who has a smug smile on their face and a revolting air of superiority as they tell you why your mistake is the most hilarious thing they’ve ever seen because you must be really thick? Yeah, I’m on about those jerks.

I really hope that there are a few mistakes here, just to really piss the grammar police off.

I make quite a few mistakes in my work. I’m tired all the time, deal with a lot of physical symptoms due to my mental health and I type way too fast. I ask people to check my work and I run my writing through Grammarly but still, despite all my best efforts, it happens. Errors slip through the net. I cannot even begin to tell you how irritated it makes me feel when I discover that, despite my best efforts and asking for help, I still find errors in my published works.

To be honest, I don’t care. Not just about my own work, but about the errors in other people’s work too. I don’t care if I see a typo or two. I keep reading, understanding that this person took a lot of time and effort to write their article and they are a human being who made a little mistake. Not a big deal. Actually, I find it pretty easy to ignore.

That’s why I don’t trust the grammar police. I normally find people who can’t let go of little things really irritating. As for people who belittle others and make people feel inferior? No. Just no.

People who spot errors and politely tell you privately because they genuinely want to help are awesome. Editing is a skill, a talent and I love the magic editors do. We need more editors in the world! But grammar police? People who get off on correcting people? People who make you feel small because you made a mistake? Eww, no. Gross.

What I hate the most is the air of superiority they have as they correct you. What little pointless life you must have if you get a big ego boost from correcting a misspelled word and insulting someone because of it. Please get a life. I think it all boils down to this: if you’re obsessed with grammar, then you probably don’t understand writers.

It’s a common misconception that writers can write. Writers are incoherent beings who drink too much coffee then splurge words out onto the page. They have too many exciting ideas and often, especially in the first draft stages, the words they write make absolutely no sense. That’s why editors exist, and why books go through several rounds of editing — because writers are the ones who are full of exciting ideas, and it’s an editor’s job to make them look good.

I have read bestselling books from large publishing houses and have seen errors. Did I complain? Did I guffaw whilst wearing a monocle and bask in the knowledge that I am a supreme being for spotting a grammatical error in a book? No, I did not, because I am not a giant pompous moron. I continued to read the book and I enjoyed the story, then moved on to the next book.

There are better things to do with your time than belittle someone for their bad grammar or spelling. If you really care that much, help them. Ask them if they would like some assistance. Don’t make a big deal and embarrass someone.

I’ll tell you what I hate the most. I really hate when someone reads a heartfelt personal essay, story or article that is really emotional and intense and you can tell that the author went through a lot of pain and inner turmoil to share their personal experiences – and all the reader has to say is something like “this was unbearable to read due to all the spelling mistakes I spotted” or “wow bad grammar”. Completely insensitive.

I understand that in some scenarios it is really important to look professional, and basic errors can look sloppy and lazy, but on the other hand, I think being kind and patient with a person who perhaps struggles with their spelling and grammar or has a disability or learning difficulty that makes writing a challenge is more important.

All I am suggesting is that you kindly and POLITELY help people if they’ve made a few errors in their work. Don’t be rude or pig-headed. It’s gross, and it makes YOU look bad. And guess what? Science agrees with me.

A paper published in PLOS One in 2016 showed that a person’s personality traits can actually determine how they respond to typos and grammatical errors.

Scientists have found that people who constantly get bothered by grammatical errors online have “less agreeable” personalities than those who just let them slide.

And those friends who are super-sensitive to typos on your Facebook page? Psychological testing reveals they’re generally less open, and are also more likely to be judging you for your mistakes than everyone else.

See, I told you. Jerks.

If someone rudely corrects your grammar and spelling, don’t let it make you disheartened. Humans are prone to making mistakes, therefore our writing is prone to errors. It’s natural, even though the grammar police make us feel like we suck. Just because you’re a bad editor, doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer.

Now, for giggles, let’s count how many errors were in my article!

Thanks for reading!

I am a writer, poet, mental health advocate, introvert, bookworm and proud mummy. You can find me and get in touch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram: katmorrisbooks