In this week’s Read and Trust newsletter, Ben Brooks asked this question:
Are typos and quality writing mutually exclusive?
I would say that while these two aren’t mutually exclusive, typos and poor grammar can severely damage one’s writing. For many people — myself included — a writer’s message is damaged if it is hampered by comma splices, poorly-chosen words and simple typos.
Of course, everyone has issues with grammar and typos. They are inevitable, but if these errors are consistent and widespread, it makes me wonder how much time a writer is really putting into their work.
In short, if something is worth writing, it should be worth writing well.