I'm surprised English teachers don't flunk "they're" students when they can't use "your" and "you're" properly.
Did you catch that? Now, borrowing the supposed phrase above (and using it properly), I'm surprised English teachers don't flunk their students when they can't use "your" and "you're" or "there", "their" and "they're" properly. So I've been seeing this on Facebook and handwritten memos a lot. It's funny but at the same time a growing trend. And it really should call for one of these:
Did you catch that error?
Don't get me wrong; I appreciate a good note or short letter from someone I know as a means of communication even when parts of the letter or note will make an English professor cringe his teeth. By the way, do think these will also make an English professor bite his/her lip?
This one will just plain right embarrass him/her:
I had a daily planner once and it was really useful because it had charts for different school subjects. One of the charts was a section called 'Common Misspelled/Misused Words' and it defined the differences between the two words spelled differently but sound the same. Now, in a world of technology of texting, social media and so on, a handwritten letter is becoming a lost art. In fact when I was in Japan, I greatly appreciated letters especially since I was far away from home. We got to use E-mail once a week to communicate with family but the anticipation of receiving a letter from home was always there since a letter can arrive anytime.
Now, it's one thing to get/have an education but sounding better educated is something else. Makes me wonder how business owners feel about it when they hire someone...
So what can we do to sound (and look) better educated? I can offer four suggestions:
1.) Know the difference between "your" and "you're".
2.) Know the differences between "there", "their" and "they're".
3.) Careful of the word "like" and "um".
This seems to be a huge trend among casual conversations;
"I was like..."
"Like, you know, whatever."
"Um, like there was..."
I dare not list anymore examples. If one's gonna say something, one would be wise to know what to say first.
And finally:
4.) Be aware of how fast you speak.
Seriously, I can understand a native Japanese speaker going at Mach 5 speeds better than a English speaker going Mach 5. And my response will always be the same when I finish listening to someone who just went Mach 5: "Uh... what???" or "What did you say?"
English. It's like trying to hold a pleasant conversation next to a roaring jet engine.
By the way. English was NOT my first language.
