Proofreading and Copy Editing Services
return to azproofreader home page
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:
Confusing Set and Sit: Set means “to put” or “to place.” Sit means “to be seated.”
John set the pan on the stove. Sally wanted to sit at the head of the table.
Confusing Who’s
and Whose: Who’s is a contraction of “who is.” Whose is a possessive pronoun.
Who’s going to the
party? Whose car is parked in the driveway?
Confusing Good and Well: Good is an adjective, and modifies a noun or pronoun. Well is an adverb, and modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb.
Lisa felt she had done
a good job on the report. Bart
did not feel well yesterday.
onfusing Than and Then: Than is used in comparisons. Then denotes time.
Zachary weighs more than Lily. We got dressed, and then we went to the
beach.
Confusing Fewer and Less: Very simply, fewer refers to a number, and less refers to an amount.
There were fewer people at the fair this
year. I am trying to use less sugar in my coffee.
Confusing affect and effect: Affect means to influence. Effect means a result.
The construction on the freeway will affect my ability to get to work on time.
Drowsiness is one side
effect of that medication.
Using Loose instead of Lose: Loose means “not tight”. Lose is the opposite of “find” or “win.”
Since I lost weight,
my belt is loose. I
hope the Rams won’t lose the game on
Sunday.
May of, might of, must of, should of, could of, would of:
In speech, these words may sound like they end in “of,” but the correct way of writing them is may have, might have, must have, should have, could have, would have.
I’ll leave you with just one more thought:
The word Irregardless has been controversial since it first appeared in the early twentieth century. It is usually listed in dictionaries as "nonstandard". The origin of irregardless is not known, but the consensus among references is that it is a blend of irrespective and regardless, both of which are commonly accepted words. However, by blending these words, an illogical word is created. "Since the prefix ir- means “not” (as it does with irrespective), and the suffix -less means “without,” irregardless is a double negative. The correct word is regardless, meaning without regard for objections.
