I received a "9" due to grammar
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An incomplete sentence would actually be a grammar mistake. I guess it all depends on how hard the editor is grading. I'd be inclined to ignore a small grammar mistake or two before lowering the grade, but that's just me.
Good enough is good enough. The English language changes all the time and once you get past the term paper the rules don't matter all that much. Accuracy is important in math. Clarity is important in a report.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
I agree that good enough is good enough. But if it's going to bug you (and it seems like it is), I'd reach out to the editor (if you have his or her info) or the scheduler (if you don't), and let them know that you've re-read your work, and aren't sure what grammar errors they were referring to in your report. Ask if they have any specific grammar guide that they follow (if you're not already aware of one that they use), or if they can give some info about what you missed in your report. If you don't get a response, I'd let it go, but one query shouldn't brand you as a chronic pest.
Shopper in California's Bay Area
@Lorrie68 wrote:
I received a score of "9" on one of my shops due to grammar. I re-read all of my narratives and I can't see one time where I did not use correct grammar. When asked a question, I answered without a pronoun and in an incomplete sentence. Could that have been the issue with grammar? I'm over not receiving "10's" on all reports, but just wondering. Oops. I was just wondering.
Why would you answer in an incomplete sentence. Did you mean you answered without an incomplete sentence? If so, there is a grammar problem with the sentence in your posting. It's easy to make grammatical errors so don't be too upset with a 9.
@kenasch wrote:
Why would you answer in an incomplete sentence.
Q: What was the length and color of hair?
A: Short, brown.
It could also have been the use of a contraction.
I'm often happier with a 9 than with a 10. If if get a 10, it probably means I spent too much time on the report.
I'm often happier with a 9 than with a 10. If if get a 10, it probably means I spent too much time on the report.
I would just ask the editor what the error was. I feel like some of these editors aren't that great with editing themselves. Maybe there was a snafu on their part.
Well, I did a report on Dec. 12th and wondered what happened to it. I checked and I discovered that the editor said completely the opposite of what I did or said. I wrote the scheduler and I attached the previous downloads. I asked if the report was even read.
The editors could be reviewing reports hurriedly and got confused. I would rather she graded me but she left it blank.
Reminds me of one editor who explained that the 8 was for writing this way and that. She gave an example. I said that was not my style. I told her I kept a complete copy of my reports and I could send it to her. She did not respond and the next time I could not copy my report. But I got 10.
OP, in my rookie days, I used to be bothered by 8 or 9 but when I visited the Forum, I learned to let go and fry a bigger fish.
The editors could be reviewing reports hurriedly and got confused. I would rather she graded me but she left it blank.
Reminds me of one editor who explained that the 8 was for writing this way and that. She gave an example. I said that was not my style. I told her I kept a complete copy of my reports and I could send it to her. She did not respond and the next time I could not copy my report. But I got 10.
OP, in my rookie days, I used to be bothered by 8 or 9 but when I visited the Forum, I learned to let go and fry a bigger fish.
@kenasch wrote:
@Lorrie68 wrote:
I received a score of "9" on one of my shops due to grammar. I re-read all of my narratives and I can't see one time where I did not use correct grammar. When asked a question, I answered without a pronoun and in an incomplete sentence. Could that have been the issue with grammar? I'm over not receiving "10's" on all reports, but just wondering. Oops. I was just wondering.
Why would you answer in an incomplete sentence. Did you mean you answered without an incomplete sentence? If so, there is a grammar problem with the sentence in your posting. It's easy to make grammatical errors so don't be too upset with a 9.[/quo
For example: "What was the associate doing at the time you entered the store?" I chose the following from a selection of answers that was given: "Processing a transaction for another customer" I guess I should have written, The associate was processing a transaction for another customer. Would I have to use a complete sentence even if the choices of answers were not written in complete sentences?
Yes. The most important thing to remember with MSCs, it is always do what we say not what we do.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
These MSC's should state you MUST have college.
It's likely a lazy editor who rubber-stamped it. Don't worry about it. I know that it stings my ego to get the 9, but I am trying to learn to ignore it. Repeated lazy editing, however, makes me reluctant to take shops without a bonus. IOW, it costs the company money to have someone like this on their staff.
Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.
At least you didn't get a ***CITATION*** #clutchingmypearls
@CeciliaM wrote:
At least you didn't get a ***CITATION*** #clutchingmypearls
Are you saying it's possible to receive a CITATION for using incomplete sentences?
@Lorrie68 wrote:
@CeciliaM wrote:
At least you didn't get a ***CITATION*** #clutchingmypearls
Are you saying it's possible to receive a CITATION for using incomplete sentences?
No, I'm just bitter because I was told I was getting a CITATION for cancelling due to having the flu haha. I could really care less.
@CeciliaM wrote:
I could really care less.
*couldn't* It's couldn't care less. Grammar and all.... (I'm kidding, of course.)
Well, a citation could also be a hero citation. 
I was given a citation because they had my different email addy but they actually asked for an alternate addy.
I was given a citation because they had my different email addy but they actually asked for an alternate addy.
@amberngriffinco wrote:
These MSC's should state you MUST have college.
You shouldn't need to be a college grad in order to use proper grammar. After we've been out of high school for some time, it's easy to forget what we learned. But we learn enough in elementary through high school to be able to write a report in formal, correct English. (At least in the schools with which I'm familiar!)
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I got a 9 today, along with the canned comments that my report had all the required information and good supporting comments. I replied to find out why I got a 9 if that was the case? Not expecting that I'll hear back, but if I do and they say it's for grammar or whatever, how do I request a copy of the report?
We are the people our parents warned us about ~ Jimmy Buffett
@PasswordNotFound wrote:
It's likely a lazy editor who rubber-stamped it. Don't worry about it. I know that it stings my ego to get the 9, but I am trying to learn to ignore it. Repeated lazy editing, however, makes me reluctant to take shops without a bonus. IOW, it costs the company money to have someone like this on their staff.
Some editors just like to give 9's instead of 10's I used to worry about it but I don't anymore. It's like an A- instead of an A. One thing though I did stop shopping with a company because the editore always had something to say, it wouldn't be anything tangible in most cases it would be things like 'You should have said more about the manager!' (um, he wasn't there what more could I say?) what I usually say about that situation is that there was no manager available during my time at this location, can someone please tell me what more I can say about that?
****************
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Well, Pammie, I don't think you're trying. You could have said you looked in every nook and cranny including both restrooms and in the car wash and you didn't find a manager. You could have said you asked for his schedule to be certain that he was really not there. And finally, you could have waited right there until he came to work whenever that might be. You definitely did not play your high card at that shop and I sure hope you do better next time. Or else.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
Yes, Pammie. Mary is right. Not good enough answer. You could have said how heart-broken you were because you did not see the manager. You laid awake at night thinking about that... It stressed you out that you lost weight.
You did not meet the minimum number of characters required. No soup for you...
It stressed you out that you lost weight.
You did not meet the minimum number of characters required. No soup for you...
On the contrary, I'm ecstatic when I get a 10 after submitting a report I felt I might have rushed through.
@mystery2me wrote:
It could also have been the use of a contraction.
I'm often happier with a 9 than with a 10. If if get a 10, it probably means I spent too much time on the report.
I have sooo thought this before, that they are "rubber stamping" these just to get them done. I even have one MSC telling me to use only one space after sentences. Um..ok, why? Must be the form. So I started trying to remember not to do it correctly and use only one space, lol! And with other MSCs, I KNOWI will hear back from the editor no matter how good it is, and receive an 8 or 9. It gets predictable, but as long as it doesn't go below 8, I just try to roll with it.
Every editor is different and every company seems to be different. I've had pointS knocked off for the smallest things such as a clarification that WAS addressed but overlooked in my narrative and then I've received 10s from reports with major errors like the time I didn't explain all food items. The report didn't specifically ask for them so I didn't include them. I was allowed to add the descriptions and was shocked to see my score was unaffected.
Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do 
Years ago I had a landlord who was an English Professor at a college. During one of our conversations I questioned him about grammar noting that college and law school grads that I was mentoring did not have a clue about grammar.
I suggested teaching English had no value. Famous people like Will Rogers and Yogi Berra would not have been loved by their readers if they spoke proper
English.
Aww shucks, ya gotta talk the language of demographic to be effective. When you mystery shop you must match the demographic to be believable or they will know you are te mystery shopper.
I told the English professor even if the parties knew and understood perfect English the message could be altered, If the executive dictated to his secretary in perfect English and the secretary typed the message in perfect English and the recipient knew perfect English it was of no value.
If the recipient gave the contract to a Lawyer the English Language would be twisted and applied to the advantage the party with the better lawyer. That thought devastated the professor.
I suggested teaching English had no value. Famous people like Will Rogers and Yogi Berra would not have been loved by their readers if they spoke proper
English.
Aww shucks, ya gotta talk the language of demographic to be effective. When you mystery shop you must match the demographic to be believable or they will know you are te mystery shopper.
I told the English professor even if the parties knew and understood perfect English the message could be altered, If the executive dictated to his secretary in perfect English and the secretary typed the message in perfect English and the recipient knew perfect English it was of no value.
If the recipient gave the contract to a Lawyer the English Language would be twisted and applied to the advantage the party with the better lawyer. That thought devastated the professor.
You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want ..Zig Zigler
One space after a sentence is the current publishing norm because of digital word processing. Typewritten work needed two spaces to look right, computer word processing one is sufficient and is now what publishers want.
I have asked several "proofreader", "auditor", and "editor" types exactly what they found wrong with my grammar. I have never gotten even one response. Most companies tell me that my writing skills are excellent or superior and others knock me down a point or two. You can't please everybody. Some want double spaces between sentences, some want a single space. I was not an English major and I never took a typing course, but I have three college degrees and always got excellent marks on any papers I turned in. I agree. Content and details are the meat of the reports. Don't worry so much about the BS! At the age of 68, I don't know why I am even concerned about what grade I get from some high school dropout. Come to think of it, I REALLY DON'T CARE as long as I get paid. What really bugs me is when some high and mighty editor is too stupid to actually read the report as written. They come back with questions that have already been addressed in the report and then don't pay you when you tell them you have nothing to add. Intellishop has one of those and I am out $45 due to his/her stupidity.
Every time I am offered a hero citation I write back and say that my land lady and AT&T will not accept them as payment for my rent or my phone bill. I was not able to deposit it in my bank, either! Who knew? They treat us like we are in kindergarten - hero citation! WTH?
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