THEY'RE over THERE reading THEIR email.

We have officially started a new Fiscal Year here at work!  Last year is now behind us, and the new year year has begun.  I thought it seemed fitting that I review some of the basics in writing emails so that maybe this year, I can file a few less dumb emails in my "Are you kidding me?" folder. 

I am pretty sure we start to learn the basics of grammar in Kindergarten.  For instance, we learn to use the word "to" when referring to a verb (to jump, to dance, to sing).  We use the word "too" when we are talking about emphasizing something (too much, too little, too tired, etc.).  And lastly, "two," as in the number.  So why is it, then, that kindergartners can get this right, but managers of big corporations cannot?  Or how about the ever mistaken there, their, they're.  Just for giggles, let's review.  "There" - use when referring to a direction.  "Their" - use when referring to possession.  And then "they're" - a contraction for "they + are."  or a more specific example, please see the title of this blog.  I am not sure why this tends to be so difficult for people, but it seriously drives me nuts.

And there is Me, Myself, and I (and I don't mean the cute little phrase).  I have seen (and heard) these three words misused so frequently, that they could even warrant their own blog entry.  Instead of boring you, I just ask that when you are forming written sentences with any of these three words, say the sentence out loud, because chances are you will catch your own mistake.  And if you don't know if they are being used correctly, then just don't use them!  Re-phrase the sentence to avoid their usage all together. 

People these days are just lazy, or they are in a rush.  We rely too (emphasis) much on spell check, and not enough on what we have learned in school.  HELLO: spell check is not going to call you out for lacking common sense!  It doesn't have the ability to identify when you put "to" instead of "too."  If you hit send on that email and left off an "o," you are going to look stupid.  Plain and simple.  I know that sounds harsh, but I am tired of seeing emails with such disregard come through my inbox.  Spell check should be used as a last resort - to catch words like success or ridiculous, both of which are spelled wrong by people all the time.  It's not REDICULOUS, its RIDICULOUS!!  And its dessert (after dinner sweets) not desert (the Southwest).  Spell check should not be the end all.

I am not naive enough to think that every email I send is perfect; I am also not naive enough to think that there will never be another misuse of the word "their/there/they're."  Our minds become cluttered with complicated and life-changing decisions, so it makes sense that the little things we learned back in elementary school might not take precedence.  But I hope that this at least brought to light some of the little things that may have gotten lost over time.  When used correctly, they go unnoticed.  When used incorrectly, they stick out like a sore thumb.  Keep that in mind today when you are sending out a mass email.  Happy writing.