The foibles of spelling and grammar checkers

Everything I've discussed so far is one reason why you shouldn't rely on spell checkers. They don't know if you mean their or there, or we're or wear so they can't spot such errors.

Some grammar checkers might have a stab by analysing the context but they are then liable to make mistakes by flagging up errors which are not wrong..

I always use a spell and grammar checker but I never automatically accept its suggestions. My most common errors are typos where I reverse a couple of lettesr like that, but it's easy to make errors in the full flow of typing so you need to check your text manually as well.

I break grammar and punctuation 'rules' all the time but only in the service of clarity (and entertainment). And I do my best to ensure that my apostrophes and homophones are correct.

I hope this has helped clarify some potential pitfalls.

Common English blogging blunders - summary

Here's the answer to the question:

They're going to the fair and they left their car over there.

If you got it right – I'm sure you did – well done!

If you have not yet fallen asleep in your soup and found this in any way useful, please click Like and leave a Comment.

Thank you.

Ian (the renegade grammarian)
(If there are any spelling or grmmatical errors in this article, they are totally the fault of the spellchecker.)



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Triblu Premium
Thank YOU for this helpful tutorial Ian!

Leaving comments on a post riddled with errors is not what I want to be doing either... so, I truly hope a LOT of members take heed of your advice.
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YanFellow Premium
Thank you, Trish.

You've obviously seen some of the sights (Puns R Us) I've seen :-)

I am full of admiration for the people for whom English is not their first language. It's mine and I still struggle with it! But many errors are made by native English speakers and it would take only a little effort to learn how to avoid the most obvious ones.
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Corann72 Premium
I sea what you are talking about! Oh correction: I see what you are talking about!
All jokes aside...
I commend you for this Post Yan!
Our communication is key to how we are perceived by others.
When Bogging, we incorporate our personal experiences,data, etc. Each backed by the information we have attained by our source(S).
Okay, so this includes our research.
Let us include the "homophones" in that research. It will only improve our writing style, not hurt it.
It just makes sense to do it that way!
I will be more aware of my word choices as I continue on my Blogging journey!! :)
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YanFellow Premium
Hi Corren. Thank you for your comments.

Yes, communication is key and the correct use of language - or as near as we can get - help us put across our message more clearly, accurately and professionally.
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accad Premium
I think English lessons should be included here in WA. Or you will continue teaching us.
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YanFellow Premium
Ha! Ha! Thank you. I think learning affiliate marketing is enough :-)

There are probably sites which teach English, and far better than I could.

It's when certain words or phrases jump out at you as being wrong that readers might question the authority of the site. I was simply trying to highligght some common mistakes and explain how to avoid them.
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accad Premium
I think the community of WA is affected by the texting style of millennials so they are hoping it is understandable. LOL
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YanFellow Premium
I cn d txt spk - y jst lv t th cnsnnts
:-)
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accad Premium
Oh! that is too much too difficult to understand and I don't want to put meaning into it, I might be wrong. That's how we send messages today.
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YanFellow Premium
I got it wrong!
It says: I can do text speak - you just leave out the consonants

Of coure, you leave out the vowels :-)

In 20 years time the younger generation won't know what a vowel is :-)

OED RIP
:-)
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accad Premium
Maybe that is nearer to Greek language with missing vowels.
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YanFellow Premium
It's ALL Greek to me...
:-)
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Chrissies Premium
Good points well made!
My own particular bugbears are "potato's" or even" potatoe's", and "could of" etc!! And also "different to" instead of "different from"! :)
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YanFellow Premium
Ha! Ha!

Thanks, Chrissie. Yes, there are loads of examples.

Maybe we should start a group called Pedants R Us? :-)
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Chrissies Premium
Love it Ian!! :)
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YanFellow Premium
The WA Gramatical Society?

The acronym has a certain je ne sais quoi! :-)
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SAnswer Premium
Thanks for the insight
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YanFellow Premium
Thanks for taking the time to read it, Sylvia.
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