75 Common writing errors

[HornyHenry]

I know you all are experts, and probably know all these already.
However, for those with an open mind, and those who strive to have the best, well written documents, you might want to save this address and refer to it for some very good writing tips. Cheers and Happy New Year.
http://www.wilbers.com/errorchecklist.htm

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

You can always tell a LIT writer, but you can never tell them very much.

 

[Guest]

I know you all are experts, and probably know all these already.
However, for those with an open mind, and those who strive to have the best, well written documents, you might want to save this address and refer to it for some very good writing tips. Cheers and Happy New Year.
http://www.wilbers.com/errorchecklist.htm

As a new author, I thank you.

~Paul

 

[Handley_Page]

I know you all are experts, and probably know all these already.
However, for those with an open mind, and those who strive to have the best, well written documents, you might want to save this address and refer to it for some very good writing tips. Cheers and Happy New Year.
http://www.wilbers.com/errorchecklist.htm

And a most useful list it is. Naturally, there are couple of things not found in English english (as opposed to US english), but it's fine.
I do wish someone would explain some of the words used though (restrictive clauses, and so forth?).
I should, perhaps explain that my English Lessons stopped when I left school.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The only important aspect of writing is having a story to tell. I mean, if I know that youre gonna come into a million dollars or screw Britney silly or al Qaeda is gonna blow up the jet liner your kid is on, what do you care about my spelling or grammar!

 

[sr71plt]

And a most useful list it is. Naturally, there are couple of things not found in English english (as opposed to US english), but it's fine.
I do wish someone would explain some of the words used though (restrictive clauses, and so forth?).
I should, perhaps explain that my English Lessons stopped when I left school.

restrictive/nonrestrictive (specificially that/which clauses) (at least in U.S. publishing):

Restrictive clauses are ones necessary to the meaning of the base sentence. In U.S. publishing they always use "that" rather than "which," and they never are set off with commas.

The train that left the station at 9:30 didn't arrive in Gesput until 4:15 that afternoon.

Nonrestrictive clauses are ones that, although they may give pertinent information, aren't necessary for the meaning of the base sentence. In U.S. publishing they always use "which" rather than "that," and they always are set off with commas.

The train, which was an old one that predated the Miliwatt invasion, arrived at the Gesput station at 4:15 in the afternoon.

Even general American English is hazier than this on when "that," "which," and commas are appropriate for sentences, but U.S. publishing likes to keep it simple.

 

[3113]

I think most will find this lesson on words we all need to learn how to spell far more entertaining

 

[Handley_Page]

restrictive/nonrestrictive (specificially that/which clauses) (at least in U.S. publishing):

Even general American English is hazier than this on when "that," "which," and commas are appropriate for sentences, but U.S. publishing likes to keep it simple.

This might account for the reason my Word 2003 does not like "which", and insists on inserting "that". Looks real strange to me!

Thanks for the lesson.

 

[mynameisben]

This might account for the reason my Word 2003 does not like "which", and insists on inserting "that". Looks real strange to me!

Thanks for the lesson.

Looking to Microsoft as an arbiter of English grammar and style is like Michelangelo seeking advice on painting from Earl Scheib.

 

[oggbashan]

This might account for the reason my Word 2003 does not like "which", and insists on inserting "that". Looks real strange to me!

Thanks for the lesson.

Have you got it set to UK or US English? It makes a significant difference.

Og

 

[Stella_Omega]

I think most will find this lesson on words we all need to learn how to spell far more entertaining

I've taught myself that there is a "finite' in the middle of definitely, but I consistently misspell "weird," because it took me so damn long to learn to spell "field" correctly.... I am forever grateful to spellcheck!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Looking to Microsoft as an arbiter of English grammar and style is like Michelangelo seeking advice on painting from Earl Scheib.

Boy! Aint that true! But its actually worse; theyve gone from getting Earl's opinion to getting the opinion of the actor who played Michaelangelo.

 

[penandpaper]

Thanks for both links. Although, in my dictionary (Webster's Universal Unabridged) toward and towards are interchangeable. I would like to know the difference if there is one though.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I think most will find this lesson on words we all need to learn how to spell far more entertaining

I love the illustrations

 

[sr71plt]

Thanks for both links. Although, in my dictionary (Webster's Universal Unabridged) toward and towards are interchangeable. I would like to know the difference if there is one though.

Which version is listed first in your dictionary? There's a heirarchy of usage in U.S. publishing style. When two versions of spelling/rendering are listed, the first one is preferred. Also, if you see an entry that says "see" another entry, it's the other version that's preferred.

In the case of toward/towards, "toward" is American English and "towards" is British English.

 

[TE999]

I have my MSWord2007 grammar checker set on 'stun'. Sometimes its 'suggestions' ring hollow on my ears and I override it. It freaks out when you write in dialect or create words (in Sci-Fi stories) but that's no problem. I even rely on my increasingly failing memory as to correct usage and spelling on occasion.

 

[Jagged]

Thanks for that...I book marked it. Should help with my writing. Some mistakes you just get used to over looking.

 

[lance gt]

My biggest error is when I think I'm a writer and start putting words on a page. By the time I'm finished hacking and slashing at the plot and crucifying the characters, I submit something that resembles a story. How the hell I end up with little H's is beyond me, but I'm glad they're there.
Spelling isn't a problem, actually using words that describe an emotional experience is more of the challenge for me. It's hard to find the right adjectives that portray what I want the reader to understand.

 

[Freefall_mc]

Thanks for the link, very useful for some of us.

I am wondering, how many people short the quality of their work by trying to get it out in a hurry, just to free up some mental space. I'm guessing more than a few.

 

[Handley_Page]

Have you got it set to UK or US English? It makes a significant difference.

Og

Now? UK English.
I would still prefer to use word97. I could do things with that!


In the case of toward/towards, "toward" is American English and "towards" is British English.

I have a feeling that the origin of this fragment is somewhere in the late C 15th.
You get Fore - wards (and Back - wards). I think there's a 'From' (or something) to match the 'To'.

 

[HornyHenry]

i before e except after c

That's the way they taught us in grammar school.
But their seems to be more exceptions so I made up this list to remind me:
(Is it "seems to be" or "their seem to be"?)

It's i before e, except after c,w,h,f,r,s,v,n,l,d, & b

as in Ceiling,
Weird, Weight, Weigh,
Heir, height, heist, heinous,
Feign, Feisty,
Reign, rein, reive
Seize, seine, seismic, seidel, seiche,
Veil, vein,
Neigh, neighbor, neither
Leisure, lei,
Deify, deity,
Beige, being.

It's the only rule I know that has more exceptions than inclusions. Let's see you remember THIS rule!

 

[YoursSINSerely]

That's the way they taught us in grammar school.

I like your name. Are you the Henry of my-first-kiss-on-the-playground Henry?

 

[randallangdon]

I know you all are experts, and probably know all these already.
However, for those with an open mind, and those who strive to have the best, well written documents, you might want to save this address and refer to it for some very good writing tips. Cheers and Happy New Year.
http://www.wilbers.com/errorchecklist.htm

Thanks! I checked out the page and realized that I have a lot of corrections to make.

 

[penandpaper]

Which version is listed first in your dictionary? There's a heirarchy of usage in U.S. publishing style. When two versions of spelling/rendering are listed, the first one is preferred. Also, if you see an entry that says "see" another entry, it's the other version that's preferred.

In the case of toward/towards, "toward" is American English and "towards" is British English.

Thank you very much for the info. I had always thought the preferred to be first, but actually was a bit too fearful to ask. Greatly appreciated.