From time to time, I review old grammar rules– even if it’s just to dust them off and apply them with renewed vigour.
But old rules must also be examined to see if they retain their merit.
They could be outdated?
Too narrow in scope?
Or not logical in the first place? ??
So which rules do we toss? And how do we decide?
I am always amused by William Zinsser, in ‘On Writing Well’, a book that’s been around since 1976, says, “We have no king to establish the King’s English; we only have the President’s English, which we don’t want.”
I think lexicographer Samuel Johnson nailed it back in the 1700s when he said, “The pen must at length comply with the tongue.” Common usage should be the real determining factor.
Here’s one:
Never end a sentence with a preposition.
“Where is she from?” sounds natural, less stuffy than “From where is she?”, likely used in days of Pride and Prejudice (a fave).
Logic says we rid of or reinvent the rule.
Since the moment I could talk, I’ve been questioning the rules. Logic isn’t confined to language. There’s plenty to question nowadays, especially with all the changes happening in the workplace.
Look at how we’re shaping our approach to wellness. I read a post this morning on how GenZ is redefining sick days. They’re shifting the narrative to not feeling guilty about taking a day off to recover— I agree.
For too long, the unspoken rule has been to soldier on, prioritizing work over health. I raise my hand very high. I’m only now discovering work-life balance (…forced by my partner and I LOVE him for that!)
But let’s get logical: why should anyone feel guilty for taking care of themselves? Healthier employees brings better productivity in the long run.
Yet, with every new approach, there’s always a need to consider boundaries: When does taking a sick day shift from self-care to taking advantage, impacting a company’s productivity?
It’s a question worth examining as we try to balance these new norms.
Just like in language, there’s got to be a balance between outdated expectations and practical, logical adjustments.
From time to time, I review old grammar rules– even if it’s just to dust them off and apply them with renewed vigour.
But old rules must also be examined to see if they retain their merit.
They could be outdated?
Too narrow in scope?
Or not logical in the first place? ??
So which rules do we toss? And how do we decide?
I am always amused by William Zinsser, in ‘On Writing Well’, a book that’s been around since 1976, says, “We have no king to establish the King’s English; we only have the President’s English, which we don’t want.”
I think lexicographer Samuel Johnson nailed it back in the 1700s when he said, “The pen must at length comply with the tongue.” Common usage should be the real determining factor.
Here’s one:
Never end a sentence with a preposition.
“Where is she from?” sounds natural, less stuffy than “From where is she?”, likely used in days of Pride and Prejudice (a fave).
Logic says we rid of or reinvent the rule.
Since the moment I could talk, I’ve been questioning the rules. Logic isn’t confined to language. There’s plenty to question nowadays, especially with all the changes happening in the workplace.
Look at how we’re shaping our approach to wellness. I read a post this morning on how GenZ is redefining sick days. They’re shifting the narrative to not feeling guilty about taking a day off to recover— I agree.
For too long, the unspoken rule has been to soldier on, prioritizing work over health. I raise my hand very high. I’m only now discovering work-life balance (…forced by my partner and I LOVE him for that!)
But let’s get logical: why should anyone feel guilty for taking care of themselves? Healthier employees brings better productivity in the long run.
Yet, with every new approach, there’s always a need to consider boundaries: When does taking a sick day shift from self-care to taking advantage, impacting a company’s productivity?
It’s a question worth examining as we try to balance these new norms.
Just like in language, there’s got to be a balance between outdated expectations and practical, logical adjustments.
Tell me your thoughts?
#LanguageMatters #GrammarRules #WorkplaceWellness#ProductivityBalance #ChangingNorms #ModernWorkplace
#WordsMatter #OMERAPress #Business