Here are 5 more common mistakes
Missing commas - ( in a series)
Wrong: Christmas menus commonly include turkey brussel sprouts roast potatoes and peas
Right:: Christmas menus commonly include turkey, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes and peas
Missing commas - (before - or, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
Wrong: I tried to speak Russian and my friend tried to speak Spanish
Right: I tried to speak Russian, and my friend tried to speak Spanish.
Incorrect use of commas - (comma splice)
Wrong: I was strongly attracted to her, she had special qualities
Right: I was strongly attracted to her because she had special qualities.
Incorrect use of capital letters
Wrong: Football practice takes place on tuesdays and thursdays
Right: Football practice takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays
Wrong: I need to work on my english vocabulary
Right: I need to work on my English vocabulary
Wrong: My A level subjects are Geography, History and Russian
Right: My A level subjects are geography, history and Russian.
Wrong: I was terrified by The Silence Of The Lambs.
Right: I was terrified by The Silence of the Lambs.
Sentence fragments
Wrong: Marie Antoinette spent huge amounts of money on herself and her favourites. Sparked the French Revolution.
Right: Marie Antoinette spent huge amounts of money on herself and her favourites. Her extravagances sparked the French Revolution.
PLEASE NOTE
I have given you examples of 10 common writing mistakes. Obviously there are a lot more, but the aim of this tutorial is not to give anyone a grammar or punctuation lesson. There is a lot of information available on the internet if you require further help.Join the Discussion
Reply
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
