MISSING WORDS

I've noticed that I keep missing words out of sentences. It's easily done: I mean the little words like 'to' and 'with' - the kind of words that you won't even spot aren't there if you skim read.

Some might say it doesn't matter. After all, if the eye moves faster these days, and no-one's bothered, what's the big deal?

I'm reluctant to agree, though I do understand. And it is always in the throwaway text anyway - the whatsapps, the text messages, the Slack conversations - all the instant stuff that flies out of your fingers. These little sentences are sort of textual pop-ins, little bursts of information that will only be read once, and usually only by one other person.

But it does matter, I think. Because if I let myself get away with it, who knows, I'll start doing it elsewhere. My technical documentation will start flying back to me with strange red marks where words should have been. My emails to 'All UK Staff' (and there aren't many of them) will make me look like an illiterate oaf - especially as the word 'author' accompanies my name as part of my job title.

What's more, with those snapchattery bursts, there's sometimes real pressure to hit 'Send' before the other person stops 'Typing...' isn't there? The impact/wit/humour will certainly be lost if they buzz you first - right? (Is this just me? I mean it is okay if it's just me, but it would be nice to know).

So when accuracy is lost to speed, those funny little words sometimes go missing. I just sent a Slack message (non-time pressured; it was a reply to Thursday) in which I said, 'I think, if it's okay, I'll leave that you...'

... which will be fine! Of course! I'd never write back and point that out! But still - it does bother me a little bit. Do I asterisk '*with' or is that a little too pernickity? I just left it this time.

So anyway, I think I need to watch out for the little words like 'for' and 'of' and 'with'. And anyway, who needs to be so clever/funny/apt/wise with their super-quick smart-phone fingers at the expense of taking the time to be accurate? Not me; not really.

And in any case, kindness is better than both wit and accuracy isn't it? Maybe I should think more about that.