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A Few Common Mistakes

For over ten years, I have worked as a proofreader and copy editor.  It is not just the way I make my living, it is also something I enjoy doing.  I almost can’t help myself—when I read anything, mistakes just seem to jump out at me, demanding to be corrected!  On a daily basis, I mentally edit signs, advertisements, newspapers, website content and books.  There is no shortage of errors!  

 Recently, a friend suggested that I compile a list of the worst language mistakes I have seen.  I would never publicly embarrass anyone by putting his or her words, along with the unintentional errors, in this blog, but we can all learn from the mistakes of others.

Here, in no particular order, are just a few of the most common grammar mistakes:

                                                                                                   Read More of "Mistakes"

Punctuation: "Comma Sense"

  The comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark, but it can be tricky! The purpose of the comma is to keep the reader from being confused, and to make the meaning of a sentence more clear. A comma indicates a slight pause at that point in the sentence, and can indicate how particular words or phrases relate to other parts of the sentence. The placement of the comma in the following sentence can give it two entirely different meanings:
"Did you cook Tony?"
"Did you cook, Tony?"
  Do we want to know if someone cooked Tony, or if Tony cooked a meal? The placement of the comma makes the meaning of the sentence clear to the reader.  
                                                                                                     Read More of "Comma Sense"
        
    

Proofreading Tips: Spelling

  Some of us are just not good spellers, but that is no excuse for sending out a  business letter or resume containing spelling errors.  A research paper or essay with misspellings can result in a lower grade, and an author's misspellings may make him or her appear less professional. 

  Using a spell checker program is helpful, but this type of program will not catch a misspelled word that is not in its dictionary, nor will it highlight homophones, or words that sound similar but are spelled differently and have different meanings.  Common homophones are:

affect, a verb meaning "to exert an influence" 
and
effect, a verb meaning "to accomplish" or a noun meaning "result".

                                                 Read more of "Spelling"

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