Does bad grammar make you [sic]?

I thought it was just me, but I tossed out a query the other day and am now awash in validation.

“I think most people believe respect for proper spelling, grammar and punctuation is a thing of the past, largely because of the shorthand way we communicate today,” said Atlanta copywriter Susan Hawkins, who charmingly noted that she proof-read her e-mail four times before sending it to me.

Jeff Siegel of Monarch Communications was succinct: “I gnash my teeth and cringe when I see blatant disregard for basic grammar.”

Atlanta travel agent Ann Lombardi remembers major grammatical errors would get a paper docked 30 points in composition class at Immaculate Heart of Mary School. Would that we had all labored under the tutelage of Sister Grace Maria.

“ Writers (even ones from the AJC!), network news reporters, celebrity talk show hosts, and others have been guilty of glaring grammar gaffes,” Lombardi was sad to report. 

Mercy.

Jim Wallace was good enough to write in from Braselton, which turns out to be the “World headquarters of SPELL, the Society for the Preservation of English Language and Literature.”

Oh, do tell.

“Our mission is to fight for the preservation of correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in both formal and informal English, and to oppose the bad effects of all those pressures in our society that foster bad grammar and usage,” said Wallace, whose organization gently prods the incorrect into the paths of righteousness by sending “Goof Cards.”

“We wrote President Bush SIX TIMES trying to get him to pronounce ‘nuclear’ correctly, and we sent copies to his speechwriters and speaking coach, all to no avail and all without acknowledgment of receipt,” Wallace said.

Ah, well.

With many of us getting our resumes together these days, it’s probably a good idea to brush up on proper grammar, spelling and punctuation. I heard of one guy who was interviewing for a job he ultimately did not get. He contacted the firm after he landed elsewhere, to ask why. Turns out the misspellings sprinkled throughout his e-mails did not impress the potential new employers much.

“When folks can’t spell correctly or use proper grammar, they lose credibility with us,” said former Robb Report editor Debbi Karpowicz Kickham, who with husband Bill Kickham now works as travel editor for Luxury Travel Magazine.

Hawkins, the copywriter, said sloppy punctuation once sank a candidate she interviewed.

“I once received a resume from someone who used the ampersand (&) instead of the word ‘and’ throughout his resume,” she said. “Needless to say, he didn’t get the job.”

SB’s willing to overlook typos and has no problem with colloquial language. I can even abide ain’t and “fixin to.”

What drives me to distraction is the errant apostrophe. My favorite professor in college, the elegant, ebullient and eloquent Chuck Stone used to say his pet peeve was the incorrect use of “it’s.” (It’s not hard to keep it’s in its proper place, you know.)

SB loves Chuck Stone for lots of reasons, including his impeccable grammar.

And although it’s not a grammar issue, I really hate it when people don’t know what words mean. I have one friend who thinks “vacuous” means “big.” I’ve heard her talk about someone’s “vacuous kitchen” or “vacuous living room.” I am wondering whether to speak up.

Publicist Laura Scholz proposed an effective, if exacting idea: “My solution is to surround myself with people who share my reverence for the English language.”

A number of folks suggested subtle action.

“Depending on the situation, sometimes it is appropriate to correct the grammar offenders.” said Alexis Collado, publicity manager for Parade magazine. “In many cases, they might be thankful that they don’t continue to repeat the same errors in the future. As long as you’re not obnoxious about it or embarrass people in front of others, you could actually help them.”

By the way we have Alexis to thank for our blog’s headline.

“I actually own a t-shirt that says ‘bad grammar makes me [sic],” she said. “Only a few people actually get it.”