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Get into English

Get into English

ESL Online English Teacher

151 words: a mistake that really matters

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What is the most important thing when communicating with someone? Have a look at the photo below from a small boutique in Melbourne*. The sentence that they wrote does in fact include a mistake in punctuation. But that’s not the biggest problem at all.


This is how I read the message:

“If you don’t buy something from our store, we might think you’re a shoplifter, and you’ll have to show your bags to our assistant upon leaving the store.”

Isn’t the point of learning English so you can improve your English communication skills? Yet native speakers also have problems in getting their message across.

So next time you’re worried about making a mistake in grammar, take a step back and ask yourself: “am I communicating the message I’d like to communicate?”

Would you treat your customers this way? I bet the answer’s no! I also bet you’re doing just fine!

Glossary

shoplifter – someone who steals something from a shop
bet (v.) – here it means “I’m sure.”

* I photoshopped out the shop’s name

Photo credits

Top image: Ed Yourdon
Licence: CC by 2.0

Shop photo: D. Sweetnam

Reader Interactions

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  1. 7 tips to improve your LinkedIn profile says:
    April 5, 2012 at 15:08

    […] A mistake that really matters […]

    Reply
  2. 151 words: exploring the topic says:
    April 5, 2012 at 15:16

    […] 151 words: a mistake that really matters […]

    Reply
  3. Barriers, bloggers, and just WHAT was she thinking!? says:
    April 13, 2012 at 22:48

    […] about the grammar you use, and instead ask yourself if you have achieved your purpose, that is, the reason why you’re writing or communicating. Is the message that you’re saying the same as the one that the other person […]

    Reply
  4. 151 words on stepping forward says:
    April 13, 2012 at 22:48

    […] 151 words: exploring the topic 151 words: a mistake that really matters […]

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  5. 151 Words on What Matters — Get into English says:
    March 23, 2014 at 23:33

    […] Your Turn to Lead Exploring the Topic A Mistake that Matters […]

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