Spelling errors that make you look like an idiot

November 11, 2009 by Dean Rieck
Filed under: Writing Basics

dumb spelling errors Every copywriter takes pride in delivering clean, error-free copy. That’s why you proofread, run a spell checker, or use a program such as WhiteSmoke to catch goofs.

But sometimes you can spell a word correctly and still have a spelling mistake when two words are similar and you type the wrong one. Spell checkers never catch these errors. It’s up to you to watch for them.

Here are some of the most commonly confused and misused words.

loose vs. lose

My shoelaces always come loose when I jog.
It’s embarrassing to explain to my neighbors why I lose my running shoes.

it’s vs. its

It’s time to have another long meeting with management.
Management never understands why its employees never get anything done.

they’re vs. there

Dad just had heart surgery, but they’re planning a surprise party anyway.
After we all yelled “surprise,” the ambulance took Dad to the hospital over there.

effect vs. affect

When you wear those jodhpers, the effect is less than masculine.
I told you those jodhpers would affect your social life!

you’re vs. your

Danny, you’re going to get sick if you put hot sauce in your cereal.
Now I’ll have to call your dad and tell him your stomach is upset.

lay vs. lie

Cutting down that tree made me so tired I have to lie down.
Sorry about the tree landing on your house. Just lay the broken window over there and I’ll fix it after my nap.

a lot vs. alot

I hate it when people show off with a lot of trivia.
“Alot” is not really a word. Well, actually Alot is home to the 5,000-year-old ancestral temple of Shiva in the Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh, India.

who’s vs. whose