Friday, September 1, 2006

A Smile, a Giggle...Get Your Grammar Book Out!

Ok, Ok...just take a break! 

My sister sent these words in an email now being sent anonymously across the WWW...

Guess why I'm sharing on this site?

Did I read that sign right?
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT (Naughty-naughty)

In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Outside a secondhand shop
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

 Spotted in a safari park:(I sure hope so) ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR

Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.


Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

                                                            ~~~

Are you smiling?  Enjoying these mistakes!  Guess what?  We see a lot of them! 

Writers, don't depend upon others to pick up basic mistakes on topics of grammar and punctuation that you should know!  Ok, I have a good memory and I remember the rules...if you can't, then get your reference books out and check yourself!  And, remember, a publisher only needs to receive your cover letter and read a few pages...if there are errors, your chances that the individual will continue reading have been greatly reduced!

It's not a crime to not remember what you were taught all those years ago...it IS sad, though, if you want to be an author. Prepare yourself with basic tools!  Remember, nobody knows how many errors you make...unless you don't proofread, proofread, proofread!

And, remember, all of us makes misteaks.  That's where friends can be helpful...find a close one and ask them to read your work before you send it out...and be open to feedback!

 

God Bless!