10 Common
Writing Mistakes You're Probably Making, According to Data From Millions of
People
Using data from millions of subscribers,
Microsoft composed a list of 10 of the most common writing mistakes.
With the rise of modern technology and possibilities for
remote work, the written word has become more important than ever.
Of course, nobody's perfect, and an
occasional mistake or typo isn't the end of the world. But if your written
communication is consistently sloppy or riddled with errors, you can leave
others with a bad impression, or mistakenly convey the wrong idea.
So, what are some of the most common writing
mistakes to look out for?
Microsoft
recently combed through the data provided by millions of subscribers to create
a list of the 10 most confusing word or phrase pairs in the English language.
(Hat tip to our friends over at Business
Insider for the original share.)
If you want to improve your writing, make
sure you have the following right.
1. "Lets" and "let's"
Lets is the third-person present form of the verb, let.
My mom
lets me make my own decisions, as long as I keep her informed.
Let's is a contraction of the words let and us.
Let's
go out to eat tonight.
2. "Awhile" and "a while"
According
to Oxford, the single word awhile is an adverb
meaning "for a short time," and shouldn't be confused with the noun
use of a while, which means "a period of time."
We can
stand here awhile, but we stood there for a while.
3. "Affect" and "effect"
Affect is used primarily as a verb meaning "to
influence or make a difference to."
The
environment was beginning to affect my health.
Effect, on the other hand, is used both as a noun and a verb.
It means "a result" as a noun, or "to bring about" as a
verb.
She
knew the effect her voice had on others. (noun)
The
new manager hoped to effect change in her department. (verb)
4. "Each other's" and "each
others"
Each
other's is the possessive form of each other.
We
checked each other's work.
Each
others and each others' are both
incorrect.
5. "Years' experience" and
"years experience"
Years'
experience is a possessive form meaning years of
experience.
This
position requires a minimum of five years' experience.
Years
experience is incorrect.
6. "A" and "an"
Most English speakers know this one, but it's
still a common writing mistake:
You
use a as the article before a noun that begins with a
consonant (or consonant sound).
My dad
bought a new car yesterday.
In
contrast, an comes before a noun that begins with a vowel (or
vowel sound).
Would
you like an apple?
7. "Everyday" and "every
day"
Everyday is an adjective meaning "encountered or used
routinely, typically, or daily; commonplace."
He
grew tired of everyday chores, like cleaning his room and taking out the
garbage.
In
contrast, according
to Grammarist, "in
the two-word phrase every day, the adjective every modifies
the noun day," and the phrase usually functions as an adverb.
The
new intern is excited to go to work every day.
8. "You" and "your"
You probably wouldn't make this mistake when
speaking, but it's common when writing.
For
clarity, you is the second-person pronoun and is used to refer
to the person (or people) that the speaker is addressing.
I love
you.
Your is the possessive form of you.
What's
your name?
Of course,
also be careful not to mistakenly use you're, which is the
contraction of the words you and are.
You're
going to the party tonight, aren't you?
9. "Advice" and "advise"
Advice is a noun meaning a suggestion, a recommendation,
or guidance.
Do you
have any advice for me?
Advise is a verb meaning to offer a suggestion or
recommendation.
I
advised you not to go that route.
10. "Its" and "it's"
Its is the possessive form of the pronoun it, meaning
"belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily
identified."
The
sour cream is past its expiration date.
It's is a contraction of the words it is or
it has.
It's a
beautiful day today.
By Justin
Bariso
http://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/10-common-writing-mistakes-youre-probably-making-according-to-data-from-millions.html
No comments:
Post a Comment