I saw this sign the other day

Published 23rd April 2018
in Musings

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Is it just me or is it just a bit grumpy and passive aggressive?

There’s something about the ‘our’ vs the highlighted ‘your’ that rankles. I find it reminiscent of a parent hectoring a child who hasn’t looked after something properly – ‘I spend good money on those shoes and that’s the way you treat them?’

Also, strictly speaking, it isn’t Gloucestershire County Council’s money that’s being invested, it’s the residents of Gloucestershire’s money, so to talk of ‘our investment’, especially when contrasted with ‘your highways’, is a bit misplaced.

If I were to reword it, I’d suggest something along the lines of ‘Part of a £150 million investment in making your journey better’.

 

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Catherine Every

Catherine Every is a writer and a writing skills trainer. She helps healthcare and public sector organisations as well as tech and professional services businesses to create better written communications. You can read the full story here.

Catherine Every, copywriter and writing skills trainer

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