Most Annoying Errors In Writing

Books/Literature/Writing - Writing - Professional

By: Thorgrym 24-Feb-2011

Introduction:

A couple of years ago, I wrote an article for Associated Content - now a part of the Yahoo! Network. It was entitled 'Errors to Avoid When Writing' and in it I detailed some common errors made by writers and editors. Listed below are some of my favorite - read: most annoying - errors.

They're, Their, There

This one is all too common. Here, we have three words that all sound the same but have entirely different meanings. The first is possessive, indicating ownership - right? No. The second - their - is the one that indicates ownership. The first - they're - describes action being short for 'they are.'
'There' indicates a place, as in 'over there.'

You're, Your

Again, one indicates action while the other indicates possession.
"This is your mistake. You're making a lot of mistakes."
See the difference?
"This is you are mistake" just doesn't make any sense.

Its, It's

It's all too common to see 'it's' used as the possessive. I personally think that this stems from the fact the 'apostrophe S' usually does indicate possession. For example:
'Errors to Avoid When Writing is Greg's article on AC.' This usage seems to want to be incorrectly carried over to the word 'it,' as in:
'That bird fell out of 'it's' nest.'
It's my party (and I'll cry if I want to...)

To, Too

Are you going to write a Top Five list today, too?
It is too easy to make the mistake of using the extra 'o' when you shouldn't.
The following sentences have two different meanings:
I am going to.
I am going, too.
The first tells us that you are going to do something while the second tells us that you are also going.

A Lot and Not 'Alot'

'Alot' is not a word. My knowledge of that fact is reinforced by the red, squiggly line that popped up under the not-a-word after I typed it. The not-a-word 'alot' appears far too (too, as in excessively) often.
This is probably the mistake that annoys me the most! Please, please, please. Put a space between the 'a' and the 'l' when you write this.

Final Thoughts

In my original article, there are a couple of additional errors detailed. The above list is just an excerpt.

Give this list a high five!

Comments

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PriscillaBenfield 2/27/2011
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I cannot stand the "your" and "you're" mistake. Not just with writers but on social networks. That makes me nuts!! Good list. Will check you out on AC/Y.
SherriThornhill 2/24/2011
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Nice list Greg! I'll RT it for you..and I can't find you on Twitter so if you find me @NationalGenX just follow and I'll follow back!
Thorgrym 2/24/2011
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@Rarus Thanks for the link and I stand by my usage.
@Akbar I absolutely HATE that mistake, too! I did not loose weight. I did lose weight. Though, I suppose that I did let it loose...
AkbarTheTentmaker 2/24/2011
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The big one that drives me nuts is "lose/loose."
Rarus_Voluntas 2/24/2011
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Food for thought: http://www.businesswritingblog.com/business_writing/2007/10/entitled-or-tit.html
Thorgrym 2/24/2011
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@Rarus
en·ti·tled en·ti·tling
Definition of ENTITLE
transitive verb
1
: to give a title to : designate
2
: to furnish with proper grounds for seeking or claiming

Seems to me that I used it correctly, after all.
Thanks for pointing it out, though. It just reinforces my point that errors are far too easy to make.
Rarus_Voluntas 2/24/2011
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Far be it for me to be a "grammar Nazi" here...but you've made your own common grammatical error above.

Your article on Associated Content wasn't entitled, as in had a right to something, it was titled, as in named.
jseven 2/24/2011
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I try real hard to get these right and do most of the time. That's why editing your work right away is good.