You know, there was a time, not too long ago, that I was a master and a whiz at spelling and grammar.
Yeaaah. Not anymore.
Below is a random sampling from an email that I just sent. The content is not at all important, normal business issues. Please get out your meat cleavers and hack my grammar to death. I am interested in correcting my bad grammar as I go:
I don’t see any actual grammar errors. I’d edit the second sentence to read "Actually, I have already talked to Steve at Maelstrom., but that’s a matter of style, not grammar.
This is also a matter of style, but, I would change the third sentence to “I believe that he is going to email me an RMA number.” Using “email” as a verb is probably a newer and less widely accepted usage. Anyway, I agree with RealityChuck. Grammatically, it looks just fine.
Yep, seconded - and thirded. Nothing to worry about. As RealityChuck says, I’d also avoid “actually already”, and I’m old-fashioned enough to prefer “e-mail” to “email” - but those are quibbles.
Thank you very much. Actually, I already spoke to Steve at Maelstrom. I think he’s going to issue an RMA number to me and sent it via email. If so, I will forward it to you. Please cancel the entire open balance on order number 59518. We already have the replacement part in mind.
Thanks for the help.
As everyone else has stated, there are no obvious grammar issues. I’d probably write it a bit differently, but it’s more a matter of style than of grammar. In case you’re curious, here’s how I would phrase things:
Notice the combined 2[sup]nd[/sup] and 3[sup]rd[/sup] sentences, as well as the semicolon a bit later. I’m a big fan of grouping thoughts together, and your original phrasing felt a bit . . . choppy . . . to me. Too many short(ish) sentences. However, like I said, it’s more a matter of personal style than proper grammar.
I have to add, one of the reasons that I enjoy reading the SDMB is the relatively well-written posts. It’s such a refreshing change from “d00d, u r so gay i dont haf too rite gud this isnt sk00l!!!1LOLOL”.
Joe Random, I don’t think you’re supposed to capitalize the first word after a semicolon.
You are, of course, correct. I plead laziness (I chopped out the period and replaced it without paying too much attention). Plus, I couldn’t very well break Gaudere’s Law, now could I?
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to write 100 times on the blackboard:
Don’t capitalize after a semicolon; doing so is bad grammar.
Don’t capitalize after a semicolon; doing so is bad grammar.
Don’t capitalize after a semicolon; doing so is bad grammar.
…
Gaudere’s Law also strikes down brian_ax
I believe it should be “send”.
(Nothing personal, Brian, but this is a 'Correct my Grammar" thread.
All that I would have done differently would be:
“forward that email on to you”…“forward that email to you”
“Thank you for the help”…“Thank you for your help”.