Grammer Police , Smoking, and Absinthe (long post)

[deegenerate]

So I got a promotion at work. Instead of being chained to a headset and helping old people navigate my company's website over the phone, I am doing it through e-mail. It's a nice change except that I have a guy reviewing all of my e-mails who is driving me crazy correcting "grammar mistakes". This is a guy who was in remedial English at regular

Comments

[pastor_saturn]

I see your supervisor's point, in a way: if it doesn't enhance the readability of the sentence,** take it out. However, IMHO the use of "that" in your example is fine. At least, it's not worth him getting into a redline frenzy over.

Generally--and I half-expect howls of derision for saying this--I disagree with the idea of sticking too closely to one specific rule. It just invites inflexibility and miscommunication.

**I recommend you start saying things like "enhance the readability of the sentence" whenever he's around. He'll think you drank the Business Grammar Kool-Aid and leave you alone. Then you can do whatever you want!

(Also, congrats on the promotion and on quitting smoking!) :)

[ananda_]

The former english major agrees. Many things relating to grammar are set in stone. But not everything. To me, it seems that your supervisor is harping on perference and style. While business grammar does stress minimalism, and keeping things simple, there is no hard and fast rule about the word 'that'. Grammar is not that rigid. It reminds me of those grammar-check programs people use in high school and college. Most of the time, the corrections were really suggestions. And quite often, the correction was down-right silly. I'd take it with a grain of salt, realize the supervisor is a moron, and move on. It's probably not the only dumb decision he'll make at work. ;)

And major congrats on quitting smoking! It's not easy.

[smoakes777]

This is what happens when stupid people memorize rules. Because he doesn't understand the reasons behind the rules, he is unable to understand the exceptions and mutations. For some reason, stupid people who memorize rules well seem most likely to end up as managers. Deeply irritating.

Congrats on the not smoking! I'm coming up on eight years, and enjoy life so much more, what with the being able to breath and getting over colds in a few days and not having to stand out in the rain.