Grammar Costs: The Price of (Un)Clear Communications

WRITTEN December 18, 2014 Author: Rich Atkins

Grammar Costs Time and MONEY

Some experts estimate that the US economy wastes $75 billion annually because of poor English skills. Others say that 80 percent of corporate waste can be tied directly to ineffective communications.

A lot of focus has been put on speaking skills, because really, who writes anymore, right? Well, if you count emails, letters, reports, blogs, social media posts, brochures, slides, etc., so much communication takes place in writing!

In written and spoken communications, the goal is to reduce waste and contribute to making a more positive workplace.

Poor communication at work causes: absenteeism, turnover, conflict, tension, low productivity, complaints, wasted time, and low morale. Effective and strategic communication positively impacts every part of the organization: leadership, sales, external customer service, and the day-to-day interactions of all internal customers. By addressing and resolving communication problems, you and your business are moving toward building a more pleasant workplace environment and saving money at the same time.

Correct (or incorrect) grammar has a significant impact on you and your reader. Consider these statements:

  • Good grammar means credibility and shows respect for the audience.
  • People judge you if you (don’t) know how to use the English language correctly (among many other things). Leaders in business who know grammar pay attention to sloppy mistakes.
  • People who make fewer mistakes in writing usually perform better on other tasks.

Empower yourself. Be smart and learn what is correct.

  • Know the Parts of Speech and their correct uses;
  • Understand Sentence Structure, including applying rules for Subject-Verb and Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement;
  • Be able to create Plurals and Possessives accurately and with certainty; and
  • Review and use the rules of Spelling, Mechanics (Capitalization, Abbreviation, Number Use), and Punctuation.

First impressions are everything!! Do you want to be seen as sloppy? Careless? Lazy? Do you want to make people wonder: if you slack in your writing, what else do you slack in?

First impressions are everything!! Do you want to be seen as sloppy? Careless? Lazy? People wonder: if you make mistakes in your writing, where else will you make mistakes?

When a potential customer, client, or employer sees your written work, if there are errors, it could make you lose a chance to succeed (get the job, win the bid, make the sale). Everything you put in front of the public’s eyes is a reflection of you and your business.

Don’t let poor writing and grammar cost you.


This information is from the Business Grammar & Usage and the Communicating Strategically class curriculums. If you’re looking for ways to improve your communication skills, register for one of our public classes.


Photo by Wendy Scofield on Unsplash

Other Resources: Grammar Costs

Why Grammar Matters In Business

4 Reasons for Improving Your English Writing Skills in the Workplace

10 Reasons Why Business Writing Skills are Important

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