Being a Grammar Fanatic

For me (and, I suspect, for a lot of the other writers I see in the blogging crowd) words are not simply mere tools for communication (though they are freaking awesome tools of communication). Every word in a language is a key that can unlock a door, and there are so many doors, it’s staggering to think of all the possibilities.

Words are the way we vent with our friends, tell them about the unbelievable chore that jury duty is, complain about the abysmal amount of work we have to do, or share just how truly disappointed we are in the direction our life is heading. Words are the way we persuade someone to hire us, boast about our accomplishments, admit to our shortcomings. Words are the way we tell stories.

(That last one is very important to me.)

As you can probably guess from those last few paragraphs, I’m awfully fond of words.

I also dote on the correct usage of words.

Yes, I’m an admitted grammar fanatic.

I’m one of those people who will correct your inadvisable usage of a word, revise shoddy sentence structure, or wince at double negatives. I know my fellow brethren (by which I mean anyone who sympathizes with me) and I can get a tad annoying to non-grammar lovers, but I hope it comforts you to know that we don’t set out with the intention of being irritating.

It just sort of happens.

(Is it just me, or do I sound like Aunt Josephine from A Series of Unfortunate Events?) 

Grammar rules provide a structure and order that we so rarely encounter in real life. I’ve never found the rules of a language mystifying, only illuminating.

Oof, I sound like I’m deifying grammar.

Well, goddammit, I am!

I figured I’d come out here on my mediocre blog and shout it to the rooftops.

I’M A GRAMMAR FANATIC!

Note: If you happen to find a grammar mistake in one of my previous posts, I swear, it’s a typo!

Other note: Actually, I can’t verify with 100% certainty that it’s a typo. I may very well have made a grammar mistake. In which case, shame on me.

Other, other note: No! I stand by my words. I re-read my posts before I publish them. I catch my mistakes! The first note stands.

Other, other, other note: Actually, no, scratch that. I’m a bit of a wuss. I’m only human. I can, and do, make grammar mistakes.