Most of the writing we do is not essays. It is emails, messages, social media posts, forms and short notes. Good grammar in these everyday texts helps people understand you quickly and take you seriously.
Emails
- Write a clear subject line: Request: meeting on Tuesday.
- Use a greeting with a comma: Dear Ms Rahman, or Hi Sam,
- Put your main point in the first two sentences.
- Use polite modal verbs: Could you…? Would it be possible to…?
- End with a clear action and a sign-off: Best regards,
Messages and Chats
Informal grammar is fine with friends. With teachers, colleagues or customers, use full sentences, capital letters and correct punctuation. Avoid all capitals, which reads as shouting.
Social Media Posts
Short, clear sentences work best. Check spelling of names and key words, and check homophones such as your/you’re and their/there/they’re before posting.
Forms and Applications
Use consistent tenses: past tense for completed jobs and present tense for current ones. Start bullet points the same way (for example, all with action verbs: Managed, Organised, Created).
Common Everyday Mistakes
| Mistake | Correct |
|---|---|
| I look forward to hear from you. | I look forward to hearing from you. |
| Please revert back. | Please reply. |
| Me and him went. | He and I went. |
| Its ready. | It’s ready. |
| Could of | Could have |
| Less mistakes | Fewer mistakes |
Quick Checklist Before You Send
- Is the main point clear?
- Does every sentence have a subject and a verb?
- Are names, dates and numbers correct?
- Is the tone right for the reader?
- Have you read it once aloud?
See also: clear and concise sentences and common grammar mistakes.
