Having precise grammar ensures that the intended meaning is delivered

Grammar is precise and requires a detail-oriented mind. Thorough considerations of what a sentence can convey must be made in order to ensure that the accurate intended meaning is delivered. Such caution is needed in every language. For example, a well-known example is of a news headline in Hong Kong, which stated “兒子生性病母倍感安慰”. In Chinese, punctuation is often omitted in news headlines. However, with this one, the slightly different placements of the comma change the meaning of the sentence drastically. This headline could either mean “兒子生性, 病母倍感安慰” (Son acts maturely, sick mother is very relieved) or “兒子生性病, 母倍感安慰” (Son gets a sexually-transmitted disease, mother is very relieved). The son in the sentence could be interpreted to have matured or have caught an STD! This is just one example that demonstrates how small changes in grammar can have big impacts on the semantics of a sentence. Learning and using grammar properly will ensure that the intended meaning is delivered.