Common Mistakes
However good your writing is - it's very easy to make punctuation and grammar mistakes. Here are five of the most common.Wrong words
Wrong: Manchester United played there best but it wasn't good enough.
Right: Manchester United play their best but it wasn't good enough.
Wrong: Paradise Lost contains many illusions to classical mythology
Right: Paradise Lost contains many allusions to classical mythology
Confusing "its" and "it's
"Its" is the possessive form of "it," whereas "it's" is a contraction for "it is."
Wrong: Its time to change the batteries
Right: It's time to change the batteries
Wrong: What is it's point?
Right: What is its point?
Using apostrophes to indicate a plural form of a word.
Wrong: The brother's all have busy schedules.
Right: The brothers all have busy schedules.
Wrong or missing prepositions
Wrong: We met in Oxford Street at London
Right: We met on Oxford Street in London
Wrong: Who called the game yesterday?
Right: Who called off the game yesterday
Unnecessary change in tense
Wrong: David is in charge of petty cash; he will always keep it locked up.
Right: David is in charge of petty cash; he always keeps it locked up.
Wrong: Carol was watching the train leave. Then she slips and falls over a case on the platform.
Right: Carol was watching the train leave. Then she slipped and fell over a case on the platform.
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Jamie Smith
Premium
Thanks for your great blog, I see so many proofreading errors each day online.
Sherion
Premium
Great! I am going to try a lot of these ideas.
One thing I was going to ask you is on this first page in the first line>>This tutorial is a brief run through of some of techniques use can use to edit and proofread your blog posts or articles. I am not understanding that line "techniques use can use"? Is it suppose to be "you can use". Just asking.
Thanks again.
One thing I was going to ask you is on this first page in the first line>>This tutorial is a brief run through of some of techniques use can use to edit and proofread your blog posts or articles. I am not understanding that line "techniques use can use"? Is it suppose to be "you can use". Just asking.
Thanks again.
findingemo
Premium
Beverley, another great training.
I haven't tried the "don't proofread while writing" method. Perhaps, that's why I struggle so much with finishing my pieces, they always seem to be a "work in progress" and I rarely feel confident that they are "done".
I know my grammar and punctuation could use some "refreshing" but, I haven't thought to look online for some reminders and tips. I foolishly rely on grammar, spell check and my memory (lol). I give them way to much "credit" and I am lazier about double checking my work. I assume they have caught all my mistakes.
I throughly enjoy your trainings and I think everyone should read them.
Thanks for sharing. :)
I haven't tried the "don't proofread while writing" method. Perhaps, that's why I struggle so much with finishing my pieces, they always seem to be a "work in progress" and I rarely feel confident that they are "done".
I know my grammar and punctuation could use some "refreshing" but, I haven't thought to look online for some reminders and tips. I foolishly rely on grammar, spell check and my memory (lol). I give them way to much "credit" and I am lazier about double checking my work. I assume they have caught all my mistakes.
I throughly enjoy your trainings and I think everyone should read them.
Thanks for sharing. :)
BIS
Premium
Hi Patty
Thanks for the compliments. Glad you enjoyed it.
I think you have to get over the urge to edit and edit - otherwise you find yourself constantly rewriting. I'm rarely happy with what I've written - but the question I always ask myself is 'Is it good enough?' And 9 times out of 10 it is.
I too rely on my knowledge of grammar and punctuation. You'd be surprised how often I get it wrong! You don't have to be perfect, but you do need to know enough to ensure that people can understand what you say and that you don't change the meaning of what you're saying because of a mistake. It's worth giving yourself a refresher course now and again.
Beverley
Thanks for the compliments. Glad you enjoyed it.
I think you have to get over the urge to edit and edit - otherwise you find yourself constantly rewriting. I'm rarely happy with what I've written - but the question I always ask myself is 'Is it good enough?' And 9 times out of 10 it is.
I too rely on my knowledge of grammar and punctuation. You'd be surprised how often I get it wrong! You don't have to be perfect, but you do need to know enough to ensure that people can understand what you say and that you don't change the meaning of what you're saying because of a mistake. It's worth giving yourself a refresher course now and again.
Beverley
