Stop! Grammar time

I have decided to listen to my own advice of "it's your blog, write what you want" for once! I am always telling people this when they are pondering whether to write about something a little different or if they are considering placing adverts on their blog and don't think people will approve. Because I really feel that is the main beauty of blogging - it is your space and you can write and do as you please... to a point of course.

I have had Makeup Savvy and been beauty blogging for little over 2 years now and can 100% say that I truly love it. I love beauty products, I love taking the images, I love coming up with post ideas and writing them down in my little red polka dot notebook, I love all the friends I have made through beauty blogging and the daily chats I have with other beauty bloggers. I could go on but I think you get that I love most aspects of blogging!

But there are also things I don't like. Like my constant confusion between different image file types, receiving so much junk email, HTML, the drama that goes on between bloggers on twitter, how bloggers honesty is constantly questioned if they receive PR samples etc etc. However I can put all that to one side as it really is just the nature of blogging. But there is one thing that I really dislike and that is when readers (most bloggers themselves) pick out flaws in others or try to correct them on mistake. I dislike seeing it and I also dislike it happening to me.

We all have flaws and my flaw in the blogging world is my grammar. It's as simple as that. But hey ho... it is not the end of the world! I think my content is quite good and I love taking nice, clear images of products and giving honest reviews. Yet on quite a regular basis I receive comments and e-mails highlighting that my grammar is on the poor side. Sometimes it's in a 'I really do love your blog, but...' way, other times it's in a 'your grammatical errors piss me off' way, but however it is phrased my heart sinks a little when I read it as I just don't know how to reply or how to even react really.

I could reply with why grammar is my down fall, explaining how in high school I had a drama teacher for an English teacher who made it her personal mission to 'bring me out of my shell' which did the total opposite and resulted in me dreading English lessons and learning practically nothing for 3 years. But what is the point? The person that commented on my grammar wouldn't care and it would only come across as being very defencive. OR I could apologise for the bad grammar (which I have done in the past) and thank them for highlighting which areas I need to change. Then re-edit the blog post, messing up the HTML in the process, and correct the mistake. But again that person still wouldn't be happy, they wouldn't go back, re-read the post and nod in approval. They just don't want my bad grammar to exist.

But the truth is I never reply because if I did I would be with 'I DON'T GIVE A SHIT (but please take this in the nicest way'. Which of course wouldn't be received well at all!

Some people are more helpful than others and have suggested things such as writing my posts in Word which would obviously help or get someone to proof read them (not sure anyone would want to do that daily?!). But at the end of the day this would just make the process of writing a post even longer, when as I say it doesn't really bother me if I have the odd mistake here and there in a blog post. As long at it is legible then I am happy!

Do I have a conclusion? No, not really... I just wanted to get this off my chest as I have received countless comments and emails now and have never actually mentioned it here on my blog. I guess I just wanted express my sadness and dislike for people that do pick flaws in others. I won't be cliche and say that flaws are what make people unique but it is part of being human - we all make mistakes, we all have flaws and that is just the way it is.

So in a way there is a conclusion to my little rant.

If you are someone that notices my spelling mistake or grammatical errors, or if you have previously left me a comment or sent me an email about it. Please do try to care less and remember that there are much bigger problems in the world than a blogger with a passion for makeup incorrectly using 'were/where' or typing 'should of' instead of 'should have'.

I really do hope this hasn't come across as too negative. I just felt I had to get this off!

Fee xo.

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missy_ellie_uk · 681 weeks ago

I have to admit to being quite particular about spelling and grammar, but I would never point out mistakes on someone else's blog because that's just rude.

Also I would just like to say that this is one of the best post titles I have ever read!

1 reply · active 86 weeks ago

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Lindsay · 681 weeks ago

You know what? I'm a big spelling and grammar nerd, but I don't remember your blog as 'the one with the errors' but as 'the one with the nice reviews and lovely pictures'. So maybe you make a mistake here and there, but who cares, really? I for one don't. You have a wonderful blog that always makes me happy. Oh, and the title of this post is just brilliant!

By the way, I probably miss half the errors you make because I'm Dutch and English isn't my first language, but still. I understand that some people may think it's annoying, but hey, there's a new post every day, that's so much work! And who can say they never make a mistake themselves?

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Sarirah 55p · 681 weeks ago

When I'm reading blogs I'm trying to relax and I get caught up in what it's about that I don't usually notice mistakes, if there are any. A blog is a personal thing and well, you write in actual English so it's more than readable. The brain only picks up on grammar errors when it's concentrating on them. ;p

P.S Nice one with the blog title! ;) x

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RuthE · 681 weeks ago

Just wanna say.... Good for you. Love the blog by the way. Rx

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Beccy · 681 weeks ago

Very well said! Your blog is truly amazing x

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Zaynah · 681 weeks ago

I can't believe that anyone would email a blogger and say that to them. I have never really worried about about my grammar/spelling, I just generally proof read at the end of writing the post. I think the content of the post is far more important then the spelling and as you said as long as it's legible then it shouldn't be a problem and if they don't like it don't read it! I don't think you should change and put even more effort into writing a blog post as they are hard enough as it is by writing them in word or constantly scrutinising every paragraph you write. Blogging is mean't to be enjoyable, and people who say that via email to you are simply taking the fun out of blogging! Leave the poor girl alone and concentrate on 'perfecting' your own blog posts by working on grammar and spelling! And finally as I said before if it pisses you off to read her posts don't read them!!!

Personally I love your blog Fee, keep blogging! :)
http://polka-dots-and-bow-ties.blogspot.co.uk/

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jenny · 681 weeks ago

My reasons for stalking your blog so frequently? I love your reviews, photos, and the way your personality comes through in your posts. These people need to take a step back and remember that you're a human too x

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Elisa · 681 weeks ago

this was a great blogpost and i read it all.. its great that you give your opinion about this. i actually never pay attention to grammar when i read blogs, unless its really really bad.. but i don't think that yours are THAT bad o__O" but hey, if you are sick of the comments that you get, you can like put it on word what you said.. it doesn't take a long time to do that since its just copy and paste and edit.

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Madelaine · 681 weeks ago

Don't let them get you down, so your grammar isn't the best.... your content is and thats all that matters!
Maddy

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Alice · 681 weeks ago

this is a great post, I probably make grammar mistakes all the time on my blog. One of the reasons I started it was to help improve my writing skills, so I know there will be mistakes. It really annoys me when people talk about grammar mistakes on twitter and say they refuse to read blogs if it doesn't have good grammar. Not everyone is perfect. Love your blog. xx

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Hev · 681 weeks ago

I can honestly say I've never noticed any errors on your blog, at all. I'm not one of those people who sits there and nitpicks at little things like that, for me it's the content that matters but I suppose everybody is different.
I imagine the people being picky are just jealous in one way or another, and I'm sure if you were to visit their blog they would have downfalls, perhaps in other areas and that's why they're chanelling their jealousy at you? Either way, it's best to just ignore them. You have a successful, and a fantastic blog and that's all that matters! :)

Hev xx

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Hannah · 681 weeks ago

Thumbs up all the way! Most of these people doing that is mainly because they are too self-concern not being good enough for whatever they want to do, so they pick on other people's flaw to make themselves seem better at something!! If they like to correct grammar mistakes so much, why don't they go and train to be an english teacher rather than sitting on their ass reading about beauty blogs!

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Emma · 681 weeks ago

Whenever I've read a post of yours (yet for some reason didn't follow until now, tsk!) I've never noticed any grammatical/spelling mistakes :S

I'd consider myself quite good at all that sort of stuff but sometimes things just slip through in my posts! People like to be pedantic to the extreme and taking the time to send you a rude email is just laughable, I'm glad you're not taking it to heart, people are sad! xx

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Parveen · 681 weeks ago

Fee I make gramma mistakes all the time. The only time (if ever) it bothers me is when it's in a comment I left on another person's blog, an example being 'outit' as opposed to 'outfit'!

I would never correct someones gramma as I generally think it's rude, and agree, how should one reply to such a comment! x x

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Jemma Page 62p · 681 weeks ago

Such a lovely post and definitely something to not worry about.
I'm a journalism student and to be honest, my grammar isn't perfect at all. This is mainly because before I proof read, I write how I actually physically speak and I'm pretty common! But oh well, it's OUR blog and our space!
xxx

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izzy · 681 weeks ago

Ugh its so silly that people care about that so much :( xx

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Stacey · 681 weeks ago

I'd never comment on someone's blog telling them they'd made mistakes. I'm sure I make mistakes all the time too! If it's any consolation, I've never noticed you making a lot of errors - your blog looks so professional! I bet those comments and emails come from people who don't have blogs themselves. If they don't want to read yours, they can go somewhere else, right?

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Sandra · 681 weeks ago

First of all, I have to tell you that I never notice the grammar mistakes on your blog, so you don't have to worry about it. As you have said, people read your blog because of the content, not to learn about grammar. If they want perfect grammar, then it would be best for them to go read grammar study books. :D
http://sandra-thepuzzleofmylife.blogspot.com

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Liz · 681 weeks ago

For the people who email you about it, I would hope they do it because they truly love your blog and want to offer you friendly advice. If people just email you to express negativity, than forget about them!

But either way, I think this post is the perfect response! Maybe in the future if this happens you can email them a link to this post. I totally agree with you that as a blogger we have to do what we love and what we feel is right. If my blog ever gets emails about my grammar or other criticisms, I would probably ignore them as well.

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Miss EBlog 79p · 681 weeks ago

Blog's are personal, it's your space. Write how you want. Most write how they speak which is perfect, thats them coming across as themselves in their blog. I've never noticed any of your or anyone else's mistakes and I would definitely not point them out to you. I read your blog because I like it and I read blogs because it's a relaxing hobby. I'm not reading essays from school children so why would I correct you. Great post, I agree people criticize others far too much xx

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Pirinco · 681 weeks ago

I wouldn't call a missing letter a grammatical error. As for some real syntax or grammar issues, who really cares? Your international readers including myself certainly don't. Your thinking is sharp, well developed and I got the impression that you are one truly intelligent person. And your blog's aesthetic is beyond pleasing. A lot of hugs from Balkans! xxx

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iamsarahsarahiam 19p · 681 weeks ago

I've been following you since late last year via bloglovin and as a former English student I admit I have notice the odd gramatical error, but seeing as I can't spell at the best of times I can hardly nit-pick! Besides so what if you write in a more conversational tone than some people think you should, language evolves all the time and the directness of your blog and your honesty in your posts (plus your fab pics) makes it work. Your content is great that's why people listen to you, it doesn't matter how you say it so long as you carry on saying it!
I'm now going to spend the rest of the day with MC Hammer stuck in my head, thanks ;)

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PtiteMeve · 681 weeks ago

You know what, you are right! It's a blog , not a newspaper!
I'm french and I write my blog in english, I must do awful mistakes and dont even notice them,lol.
I'm not reading your blog to have a great english grammar experience, I just wanna read about makeup and beauty and you do that perfectly!

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@Allie_G · 681 weeks ago

Its your content and photos which interest me far more than your spelling/grammar! Keep up the good work, and keep making me jealous with your pretty photos haha

- Allie x

Allie UK Blog

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Chrissy · 681 weeks ago

I have to say I do get annoyed by obvious spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, but I'd never ever write someone an email or a comment to complain about it. If it gets really, really bad - say, where non-existant punctuation makes it almost completely impossible to read - I unsubscribe, because it interferes with the content. My little pet peeve is when people can't spell "definitely" and say "defiantly" - it messes up something in my brain and makes me confused, but hey, I get over it.
Having said all that I can't say your blog strikes me as one with poor grammar and I've probably made quite a few mistakes myself, as I can never be bothered to proofread my posts before publishing them!