Let’s face it, we all know one…one of those people who loves to point out grammatical errors in newspapers, on billboards, and on your social media posts <waves hand>.

Jokes aside though, have you ever considered the impact that poor grammar might have on your reputation, both as a company and as an individual?

Regardless of where you’re from or what language you might speak, the very basis of communication is grammar. Unfortunately though, the “txtspk” epidemic in particular, as well as the fact that many people are more likely to be found watching TV rather than reading a book, is causing the gradual erosion of the well-spoken word.

Why then should people be reminded of the importance of upholding strict grammatical standards? It’s simple, the better your grammar, the clearer and less open to misinterpretation your message. For an individual, this could make or break that job application. Within the business world, where fast, effective communication can give you the edge over competitors, it is critical. Good grammar makes good business sense at the end of the day.

Will grammar rules always remain as they are today? It’s hard to guess; with the pace at which the digital world is changing the way in which we communicate, it’s not far-fetched to say that this will happen at some stage. Until then though, it’s safer to learn the correct use of apostrophes, and the rules around the Oxford comma.