Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 3, 2009
- 42,318
- 33,125
While we can rely on a spell checker to catch glaring errors, a computer cant pick up on all careless mistakes, especially if the word could be correct in a different context. Often word misuse is our mistake. The English language is full of homonyms, or words that have different meanings but sound and look similar, which makes it easy to confuse proper usage. For instance, verbally, you might not even notice the difference between your and youre. But in print, the error can lead the reader to perceive you as less intelligent than you are. For this reason, it's important to spell check and proofread your documents, especially for the following common misuses, which are so easy to make, you might even have to check your document a couple times to catch them.
Its versus Its (and all other apostrophes):
According to a copy editing instructor for California-based copy editing service provider Edicetera, confusing its and its is the most common error in the English language. That one minuscule apostrophe (or lack thereof) drastically changes the meaning of the entire sentence. Its is a contraction of it is, whereas its refers to possession. Also, watch out for your versus youre.
Sales versus Sails
Can you imagine writing on your resume that you increased sails by 20 percent?! Unless youre applying to a job for a sail boat manufacturer, this careless mistake will probably get your resume sailing right into the recycling bin.
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Affect versus Effect
There is a lot of confusion around this one but heres the rule: Affect is a verb and effect is a noun. Its as simple as that.
Would Have NOT Would of
The subtlety in pronunciation leads to the rampant misuse of this phrase; however would of is never correct and may make you appear as if you are not well-read.
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Through versus Threw
He threw the ball through the window. Threw is a verb and through is a preposition. And speaking of through, be careful to make sure you dont actually mean thorough or vice versa. The slight variation in spelling will not be picked up by a computer, but writing I am through when you mean I am thorough is quite ironic, dont you think?
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Then versus Than
Six is more than five; after five then comes six. Than refers to a comparison, while then refers to a subsequent event.
Supposed To NOT Suppose To
Suppose is a verb, meaning to think or to ponder. The correct way to express a duty is to write, I was supposed to
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Wonder versus Wander
You can wander around while you wonder why wander and wonder have such different meanings, yet sound oh so similar.
Their versus There versus Theyre
OK, once and for all: Their is possessive; there refers to distance; and theyre is a contraction of they are.
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Farther versus Further
While both words refer to distance, grammarians distinguish farther as physical distance and further as metaphorical distance. You can dive further into a project, for instance, or you can dive farther into the ocean.
We know we missed many common careless errors. What mistakes do you see most often?
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
photo credit: istockphoto.com
Related: words, tips, spelling, resume mistakes, resume, job hunting, job, how to
10 Common Errors
Kumbe kuna maneno mengine computer inashindwa kuyakamata? Kazi kweli kwa Mzee Bill Gates.
