Friday, March 23, 2012

Common Misused Words Among Writers Pt. 2

In my last post, I talked about how I'd read an article listing the top misused words of the English language.  The article I read discussed how a writer's skills can be discredited by making those common mistakes.

Today, I read another article on Ezine listing another list of words that writers often seem to misuse.  The list is posted below.

affect vs. effect
affect – To have an effect on; make a difference to; an emotion or desire.
Incorrect: Chocolate effects my behavior.
Correct: Chocolate affects my behavior.
effect – To bring about; to cause something to happen; a change that is a result of an action or cause.
Incorrect: Chocolate has an incredible affect on behavior.
Correct: Chocolate has an incredible effect on behavior.

allot vs. a lot
allot – To give or to apportion something to someone as a share or a task.
Incorrect: I will a lot 3 prizes to the winners.
Correct: I will allot 3 prizes to the winners.
a lot – (never alot) A large amount, very many; also, very much.
Incorrect: I like monkeys allot. There are alot of them at the zoo.
Correct: I like monkeys a lot. There are a lot of them at the zoo.
Please note the context of a piece of land or lot, as in “a lot”, is also acceptable; however, it’s not a common usage error.

then vs. than
then – At that time; at the time in question; after that, next, afterward.
Incorrect: I went to the zoo and than to the park.
Correct: I went to the zoo and then to the park.
than – Used in expressions when introducing an exception or contrast.
Incorrect: Bob is shorter then Ralph.
Correct: Bob is shorter than Ralph.

lie vs. lay
lie – To be in or assume a horizontal or resting position; the way, direction, or position in which something lies.
Please note we will not be discussing “lie”, i.e. to tell a falsehood or to fib, because it’s not a common usage error.
Incorrect: I am going to lay down for a nap.
Correct: I am going to lie down for a nap.
lay – To put down (generally carefully or gently); the general appearance of an area.
Incorrect: I am going to lie the baby down for a nap.
Correct: I am going to lay the baby down for a nap.

desert vs. dessert
desert – To abandon; a dry, barren area of land; barren.
Incorrect: The nomads desserted the dessert in search of water.
Correct: The nomads deserted the desert in search of water.
dessert – The sweet course at the end of the meal.
Incorrect: Did you see this low-fat and delicious desert recipe?
Correct: Did you see this low-fat and delicious dessert recipe?

Again, hopefully this list helps to make you more aware of common mistakes writers make, and gives you a clear understanding of how they can be avoided.

Happy Writing!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Common Misused Words Among Writers

I have a natural eye for editing.  Whenever I read something my eyes automatically zone in on mistakes, and one commonality I see among a lot of writers is the misuse of homonyms.  Homonyms are words that sound the same, but have different meanings and spellings.  It's easy to make these simple mistakes; however, as a writer with great writing ability, you wouldn't want your work to be discredited because of it.

Last week, I read an article on Ezine.com that talked about the top misused words of the English language, and how making these common mistake can discredit a writer's skills. The article writer comprised a list of words, and gave their meaning and correct/incorrect usage.  I thought it would be very helpful for the writers who read this blog.  Check it out below.

*Reposted from Ezine*

Lose vs. Loose
lose – To be deprived of or cease to have; to cause someone to fail to gain or retain something.
Incorrect: Loose weight in 5 weeks or loose your chance to go to the beach!
Correct: Lose weight in 5 weeks or lose your chance to go to the beach!
loose – Not firmly or tightly fixed in place; to release or set free.
Incorrect: The dog’s collar was lose, so Bob tightened it before the dog got lose.
Correct: The dog’s collar was loose, so Bob tightened it before the dog got loose.

Its vs. It’s
its – Associated with a thing previously mentioned or in reference to an animal without prior knowledge of the animal’s gender.
Incorrect: That monkey will never be a ballet dancer; it’s posture is horrendous.
Correct: That monkey will never be a ballet dancer; its posture is horrendous.
it’s– Contraction of it is or it has.
Incorrect: John bikes to work. Its his favorite part of the day.
Correct: John bikes to work. It’s his favorite part of the day.

Your vs. You’re
your – Possessive form of you (typically used before a noun).
Incorrect: You’re article writing skills have improved!
Correct: Your article writing skills have improved!
you’re – Contraction of you are.
Incorrect: Your an article writing master!
Correct: You’re an article writing master!

Their vs. They’re vs. There
their – Possessive adjective indicating a particular noun belongs to them.
Incorrect: There keys are in the ignition.
Correct: Their keys are in the ignition.
they’re – Contraction of they are.
Incorrect: Where are they? Their at the shop.
Correct: Where are they? They’re at the shop.
there – Reference to the existence of something; a place or position.
Incorrect: Their is a reason why the pie is gone. John ate the last slice over they’re.
Correct: There is a reason why the pie is gone. John ate the last slice over there.

To vs. Too
to – In the direction of or at; used with the base form of a verb to show the verb is in the infinitive.
Incorrect: Susan goes too the store too buy vegetables.
Correct: Susan goes to the store to buy vegetables.
too – Very, as well, also.
Incorrect: Bill drives to fast on his motorcycle to.
Correct: Bill drives too fast on his motorcycle too.

Hopefully this list helps to make you more aware of common mistakes writers make, and gives you a clear understanding of how they can be avoided.

Happy writing!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Beating Writer's Block

You sit down to write and...crickets.  Suddenly your brain seems to have lost all ability to produce thoughts.  I can't tell you you how many times I have sat, head in hands, staring at a blank word document in frustration.  As a busy mom who doesn't always have a lot of time to devote to writing, when writer's block strikes I am not a happy camper.

But it happens to the best of us, whether we like it or not.  Since it's a no-brainer that writer's block will rear its head, I'll share a few tips that help me to get my writing juices flowing whenever I feel stuck.

  • Rest.  If your mind is tired, you can hang it up.  You won't be able to write - at least not at your best - if you fail to allow yourself adequate rest needed to function properly.  Take a power nap, or steal away to a quiet place for a while and relax.

  • Take a break.  If you find yourself stuck for a long period of time, and nothing worth writing finds its way into your brain, then it's time to take a break.  Step away from the computer, and move on to something else. Sometimes, taking your mind off of the task at hand helps you to refocus and discover fresh ideas.

  • Don't dismiss random thoughts.  Write down your thoughts, no matter how random or far-fetched they may seem.  You just might end up finding something great in the midst of your randomness.  I certainly have.

  • Pray.  Though last on the list, this is certainly not least.  Prayer and meditation works wonders; it's good for mind and spirit.  It relaxes your mind, removes interferences, and refreshes the spirit - all perfect ingredients to help get those writing juices flowing freely.
The next time writer's block zaps your brain, hopefully these simple tips will help you to re-energize.

Happy writing!