How perfect should your spelling be?

We are all under pressure from time constraints and reality often dictates that speed of response is more important than getting it right. Just getting it done has become the focus. Increasingly though, we seem to be using time management and our reliance on mobile devices as an excuse for poor spelling and/or grammar.

Many mobile devices have an automatic line at the bottom of emails saying “sent from my xxx device”. You can remove this or you can modify it, as in a recent example I received which had added “…please forgive any grammatical or spelling errors”.

If you look carefully enough (and I have a friend who does), you can find errors in even the most expensive and highly maintained websites, and you can certainly find them in the news and TV media (where people like editors are paid to check). I’m the first to admit my spelling and grammar are not perfect, but I do try hard to make sure I check things or have someone else check them, particularly in a business context. It probably doesn’t matter if your texts or emails to your family or friends are not correctly spelled or use poor grammar, but if it’s a response to someone you have (or want to have) a professional relationship with, then maybe it’s not acceptable.

So where is the line? Many people in business still look unfavourably on bad spelling or grammar. If you’ve taken the time to respond on your mobile device (when by definition you are probably “out and about”) then perhaps you should also take the time to make sure it is right. If it’s not critical to respond immediately, why not leave it until you have the time to properly compose and check your reply.