The Grammar Stickler in Me (His vs. He's)

Have you heard of the word "Stickler"? I first encountered it in Lynne Truss' book entitled "Eats, Shoots and Leaves". A book about the correct usage of punctuation marks.

A "Stickler" is someone who insists on something unyieldingly. And according to the book, there are a few people on the planet that are sticklers when it comes to grammatical errors. Those people who experience an itch to correct every error they see. They feel uneasy when they see these errors and they couldn't rest until they are corrected. Why am I discussing this? Well, I'm afraid I am one of these sticklers.


Now, I am not claiming that I'm a grammar expert although I am sometimes commissioned to edit school and business papers. But boy, do I misspell, mispronounce, or misuse some words from time to time. This still happens to me despite how many times I read and reread what I've written before I finally click "post". And that is what makes me a stickler. My zero tolerance for grammar mistakes - at least, my own. I reread whatever I write many times and I consult the dictionary for words or phrases I'm not 100% sure I used correctly. It irritates me no end when I do find an error after hitting "post" and my comment is already online for all the world to see. Good thing there is now an edit button that allows me to correct the error before anyone sees it. I just hope that I'm quick enough.

I'm also a stickler for experiencing what Truss described as a "ghastly private emotional process similar to the stages of bereavement" when seeing grammatical errors. First, there's shock. Then disbelief, which gives way to pain and then to anger. Although I don't reach the anger stage. I stop at pain and just leave it at that. I guess what I feel instead of anger is amusement. I'm amused that even people whose first language is English still commit horrible grammar mistakes. Even people who pride themselves for being good at speaking the language and belittling other people who are not. Now, that is what I hate. I do feel the urge, the itch, to correct but never disparage the other person...unless that person deserves it. Hehe...

I know you are wondering what is the point in all these. Well, this is to relieve the itch of the grammar stickler in me. Since I'm not the type of person who would correct you in your face (unless we know each other very well and I know that you won't be offended), I thought I could write a series of "Grammar Reminders" that could help other people correct their mistakes. This would also benefit me as I would be able to brush up on my English writing knowledge and skills. 

So without further ado, I would like to kick this off with this simple yet very common error: His vs. He's

P.S. I am crossing my fingers... I hope I did not miss any error in this post. ;)