Short stories by Andrew McKean.

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Grammar-the Necessary Evil

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Ah, grammar—one of those subjects that sends most people to sleep faster than a bedtime story. I mean, who wants to sit around debating whether it's "to" or "too" when there are far more exciting things to do, like watching paint dry? But, boring as it may be, proper grammar is crucial, especially in a world where our beloved English language seems to be under siege from all sides.

Let’s face it, the difference between “your” and “you’re” might not seem like a big deal until you accidentally tell someone, “Your great,” and they respond with, “My great what?” Cue awkward silence. Or what about the classic mix-up between “there,” “their,” and “they’re”? Get that wrong, and you could end up sending someone to the wrong “there,” wondering why they’ve arrived at a disused car park instead of your office.

Now, I’m not saying we all need to be grammar scholars, clutching our Oxford commas like lifebuoys in a sea of linguistic chaos. But a basic understanding of when to use “is” versus “are” could save you from more than just embarrassment. It could prevent full-on miscommunication disasters. Imagine trying to explain to your boss that “the reports is ready” only to be met with a raised eyebrow and a subtle questioning of your competence.

Even the tiniest errors can have the biggest impact. Mixing up “two,” “to,” and “too” might seem innocent enough, but get it wrong, and suddenly you’re inviting someone “to the pub two.” No one’s going to understand that, except maybe your autocorrect, which is definitely not a fan of proper grammar.

In an age where our language is under threat from text speak, emojis, and the occasional cat gif, good grammar is like the secret handshake of the literate. It shows you care enough to get it right, even if it is a bit tedious. After all, the devil’s in the details—or is it “detail’s”? I can never remember…

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