There’s a Lot of Reasons…

…why I’m writing this post, and the heading of this sentence is one of the primary ones. To a growing number of people, the phrase, “There’s a lot of reasons,” and others like it are okay. They’re acceptable. But to other people, in particular, resume screeners and gatekeepers…let’s just say it will make them cringe. It might even kill an interview opportunity.

What’s Rong Wit Dat?

The correct way to write that phrase would be, “There are a lot of reasons…” We use are because reasons is plural. You wouldn’t say, “We is going to the store,” or “I has a reason for doing that.”

The misuse of there’s has grown to be one of the worst mistakes in language these days, followed closely by the misuse of here’s, as in “Here’s the reports you asked for.” And even, where’s, as in “Where’s the reports I asked for?”

In all of the above cases the plural form should have been used. “Here are the reports you asked for.” And “Where are the reports I asked for?”

I even saw this mistake on a big site in a post that was talking about—are you ready for this—grammar mistakes.

In case you’re wondering, “what’s it gonna’ hurt?” Let me give you a little insight from someone on the other side of the desk. I’m a headhunter. I know. A not-so-noble profession by many standards. But some of us take our work seriously. If a client gives me an assignment, and that assignment calls for a candidate with “excellent communication skills,” I take that requirement seriously as well.

So? You Might Ask

So when I see a cover letter that starts out with “There’s a lot of reasons why I fit this job…” There are two thoughts that cross my mind, and only two:
– The candidate doesn’t know they made a mistake using there’s instead of there are.
– The candidate doesn’t care they made a mistake.

The problem is that no matter which of those thoughts is correct, it doesn’t bode well for the candidate. If I think they don’t know the proper way to say it, I’m forced to wonder why I’d hire them. And if I think they don’t care, I definitely won’t hire them.

Bottom Line

This advice is not restricted to cover letters or resumes. Anything you write is subject to scrutiny and judgment, even your emails. And let’s face it, you never know who will see them.

I’m sure that the majority of you have heard the old maxim, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.” And I’m sure you take that to heart in your job. But try to remember, that rule applies to language as well.

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Tags: communication, cover letters, grammar, resumes, writing