2

101 Common Mistakes

to Avoid in Your Writing

Charlie Wilson

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A Book Specialist book

Copyright 2012 Charlie Wilson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be

reproduced, transmitted or stored in an information

retrieval system (other than for purposes of review)

without the express permission of the author given in

writing. The right of Charlie Wilson to be identified

as the author of this work has been asserted by her in

accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents

Act 1988.

To contact the author, visit

www.thebookspecialist.com.

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CONTENTS

Introduction ...............................................................5

About this book .......................................................5

About the author ......................................................7

101 mistakes, and how to avoid them ........................8

Ten US/UK spelling differences to watch for ......... 57

Some of my favourite mistakes ............................... 58

Quick quiz ............................................................... 60

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INTRODUCTION

As a professional editor and proofreader, I read

masses of text – from books to reports, blogs to

websites, magazine articles to theses. And I find the

same writing mistakes over and over and over again.

Many writers don‟t even realise they‟re making these

common mistakes. That‟s where this book comes in.

I hope you find this little book useful in improving

your language skills and giving you confidence in

your writing ability.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

This book helps you avoid mistakes that many

writers make. It is not a definitive guide. I have kept

this book as simple and concise as possible, which

has inevitably meant being selective about the

mistakes I include and avoiding full discussion of the

intricacies of language.

I‟ve done my best to steer clear of complicated

grammarspeak, but the odd bit of language jargon

was unavoidable. Here, then, are a few technical

words I use in this book, and their definitions:

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Adjective: A describing word; describes a noun.

Examples: light, lovely, smelly.

Noun: A word that refers to a thing. Examples:

Jane, table, sea.

Past participle: The form of a verb used to

make certain past tenses. Examples: I had

looked, you have looked, he has looked.

Present tense: The verb form that‟s in the

present, now. Examples: I am, you are, he is.

Simple past tense: The simplest of the verb

forms that‟s in the past. Examples: I was, you

were, he was.

Verb: A doing word; a word that describes an

action or state. Examples: walk, give, love.

Note: This book is written in UK English, but the

majority of the guidance applies across all styles and

forms of English, including US English. An asterisk

(*) after an item denotes that US English style guides

may differ from the guidance here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I‟m a published author, a ghostwriter and the founder

of The Book Specialist, an editorial agency that

offers ghostwriting, critiquing, developing, editing

and proofreading services to authors and publishers.

I‟m passionate about the English language, but I‟m

not one of those dry, boring, old-school grammarians

who bandies about words like subjunctive and

preposition. Instead, I like to find ways to simplify

the understanding of language and make it more

accessible to anyone who wants to write well.

To find out more about me, please visit my website

at www.thebookspecialist.com.

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101 MISTAKES, AND HOW TO AVOID

THEM

1. Could of/would of/should of

„I would‟ve climbed that tree, but I‟d drunk too much

cider…‟ Would’ve said aloud sounds rather like

would of. But you‟re actually saying would have. The

same goes for could have and should have.

If I could of helped you, I would of. I know I

should of.

If I could have helped you, I would have. I

know I should have.

2. Is comprised of

This is never correct. Use instead is composed of or

comprises.

The thesis is comprised of four parts.

The thesis is composed of four parts.

The thesis comprises four parts.

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3. Forming possessives with names that end in ‘s’

If you say „iz‟, add an s. Some people like to omit the

„s‟ after the apostrophe in possessive forms of

classical names, e.g. Jesus’. Unless you really

understand what you‟re doing, stick to always using

apostrophe and s, or rephrase.

Charles‟ book was about Mars‟ planetary orbit.

Charles‟s book was about Mars‟s planetary

orbit.

Charles‟s book was about the planetary orbit of

Mars.

4. Incomplete sentences

Watch out for incomplete sentences, which don‟t

make sense when they stand alone.

And so, as the sun set over the horizon and the

lions raced back to their dens, so far from the

vehicle, satisfied by their kill.

And so, as the sun set over the horizon, the lions

raced back to their dens, so far from the vehicle,

satisfied by their kill.

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5. It’s/its

It’s is the contraction of it is. Its indicates possession.

Its a rainy day.

It‟s a rainy day.

The dog lost it‟s bone.

The dog lost its bone.

6. Sat/sitting

Don‟t confuse the present participle of the verb to sit

(sitting) with the past participle (sat).

I was sat on the bench thinking about the time I

sat here with George.

I was sitting on the bench thinking about the

time I sat here with George.

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7. Muddled lists in sentences

Check that your lists aren‟t missing a final „and‟. For

example, take this sentence: „This is a trading

website where you can see what‟s for sale, track your

purchases, sales and money owed.‟ Can you see the

problem? The writer is currently incorrectly

presenting the second half of the sentence as a list.

So, on the trading website you can 1) see what‟s for

sale, 2) track your purchases, and 3) sales and money

owed. Clearly, number 3 isn‟t right – you can sales

and money owed? What the writer means to say is

that on the trading website you can 1) see what‟s for

sale, and 2) track your purchases, sales and money

owed.

This is a trading website where you can see

what‟s for sale, track your purchases, sales and

money owed.

This is a trading website where you can see

what‟s for sale and track your purchases, sales

and money owed.

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8. Off of

Simply say off, not off of.

I jumped off of the bed.

I jumped off the bed.

9. Snuck/sneaked

Snuck is never correct. Sneaked is the past form of

the verb to sneak.

We snuck quietly out of the house.

We sneaked quietly out of the house.

10. Stood/standing

Don‟t confuse the present participle of the verb to

stand (standing) with the past participle (stood).

I was stood at the bus stop thinking about the

time I stood here with Sarah.

I was standing at the bus stop thinking about the

time I stood here with Sarah.

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11. Try and/try to

This is a common mistake. You don‟t try and do

something; you try to do something.

I‟m going to try and break the world record.

I‟m going to try to break the world record.

12. Subject/verb agreement

Ensure that verbs match up with the noun they‟re

describing. Be especially careful with phrases like „a

variety of‟ and „a range of‟ and „a wealth of‟ – the

verb following the phrase must be singular to agree

with the phrase, not the noun it introduces.

Looks like the cost of houses are falling.

Looks like the cost of houses is falling.

A range of books are available.

A range of books is available.

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13. Advise/advice

Advise is the verb. Advice is the noun.

I advice you to stop harassing me or I‟ll call the

police!

I advise you to stop harassing me or I‟ll call the

police!

I appreciate your advise on this problem.

I appreciate your advice on this problem.

14. Affect/effect

Affect means to make a difference to. Effect as a verb

means to bring about a result; as a noun it means the

result or consequence.

Your kind words have really effected me.

Your kind words have really affected me.

The affects of the earthquake were devastating.

The effects of the earthquake were devastating.

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15. Born/borne

Born is about starting life. Borne means carried.

I have born the weight of the world on my

shoulders.

I have borne the weight of the world on my

shoulders.

He was borne an idiot.

He was born an idiot.

16. Bought/brought

Bought is the past form of the verb to buy. Brought is

the past form of the verb to bring.

Jamie brought some new shoes with her pocket

money.

Jamie bought some new shoes with her pocket

money.

I bought Dad the post from the doormat.

I brought Dad the post from the doormat.

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17. Breath/breathe

Breath is the noun. Breathe is the verb.

He was so handsome he took her breathe away.

He was so handsome he took her breath away.

When the elephant sat on me, my first concern

was that I couldn‟t breath.

When the elephant sat on me, my first concern

was that I couldn‟t breathe.

18. Chose/choose

Choose is the present tense. Chose is the past tense.

I‟m going to chose which university to apply to

after I go to the open days.

I‟m going to choose which university to apply

to after I go to the open days.

He choose a cheese sandwich from the

selection.

He chose a cheese sandwich from the selection.

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19. Complement/compliment

Complement means goes well together. Compliment

has two meanings: either free of charge, or a nice

comment.

The tie compliments the shirt.

The tie complements the shirt.

Please enjoy a complementary drink.

Please enjoy a complimentary drink.

My complements to the chef!

My compliments to the chef!

20. Councillor/counsellor*

A councillor works for a council. A counsellor

counsels people (gives advice or counsel).

At the town hall meeting a local counsellor

argued the case that each school should have a

councillor to support pupils.

At the town hall meeting a local councillor

argued the case that each school should have a

counsellor to support pupils.

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21. Dependent/dependant

Dependent is the adjective. Dependant is the noun.

My salary is dependant on my performance.

My salary is dependent on my performance.

He has three dependents: a son and two

daughters.

He has three dependants: a son and two

daughters.

22. Desert/dessert

A desert is a hot, dry, sandy place. A dessert is a

pudding.

In the sweltering heat of the dessert, my ice-

cream desert melted rapidly.

In the sweltering heat of the desert, my ice-

cream dessert melted rapidly.

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23. Discrete/discreet

Discreet means tactful or unobtrusive; discrete

means separate.

Shouting at a policeman is not discrete

behaviour.

Shouting at a policeman is not discreet

behaviour.

The man stood alone, discreet from the crowd.

The man stood alone, discrete from the crowd.

24. Dryer/drier

Dryer is a noun – something that dries. Drier is an

adjective meaning more dry.

You put your clothes in the tumble drier and

they come out dryer.

You put your clothes in the tumble dryer and

they come out drier.

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25. Except/accept

Accept means to receive. Except means but or

leaving out or to leave out.

I except your conditions, accept the last one.

I accept your conditions, except the last one.

26. Enquire/inquire*

To enquire means to ask. To inquire means to make

a formal investigation.

I‟m writing to inquire whether you have any

jobs available.

I‟m writing to enquire whether you have any

jobs available.

The police launched an enquiry into the alleged

assault.

The police launched an inquiry into the alleged

assault.

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27. Insure/ensure

Ensure means to make sure. Insure means to take

precautions in case of loss or harm.

You must insure that you properly ensure your

home in case of a fire.

You must ensure that you properly insure your

home in case of a fire.

28. Lead/led

As a noun, lead can mean a type of metal or

something Rover drags you along by on his daily

walk. Notice the metal is pronounced led and the

dog‟s attachment leed. In the verb form the present

tense is lead (pronounced leed). In the past tense, the

verb becomes led.

Jim lead me by the hand.

Jim led me by the hand.

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29. Loose/lose

Loose is the opposite of tight, and lose is the opposite

of win.

I want to loose more weight. My clothes are

getting lose and I feel great.

I want to lose more weight. My clothes are

getting loose and I feel great.

30. Passed/past

Passed is the past form of the verb to pass. Past has

various meanings: time that has gone by, time before

the present, over, former, beyond in time or place,

by.

I past the pub and then walked passed the park.

I passed the pub and then walked past the park.

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31. Peak/peek/pique

Peak means summit or highest point. Peek means

glimpse. Pique means stimulate.

Your argument has peaked my interest.

Your argument has piqued my interest.

Through a gap in the curtains I peaked at the

mountain peek.

Through a gap in the curtains I peeked at the

mountain peak.

32. Principle/principal

Principle is a noun meaning a basic truth or

guideline. Principal can be an adjective or a noun

meaning first in rank or importance.

Vegetarians avoid meat on principal.

Vegetarians avoid meat on principle.

She is the principle dancer of the ballet.

She is the principal dancer of the ballet.

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33. Prise/prize/price

Prise is a verb meaning to move or force with, or as

if with, a lever. Prize is an award. Price is the cost of

something.

I prized open the door.

I prised open the door.

We won first prise in the competition.

We won first prize in the competition.

The prise of bread in that shop is extortionate!

The price of bread in that shop is extortionate!

34. Setup/set up

Set up is the verb. Setup is the noun.

He setup the computer, but the system set up

had some glitches.

He set up the computer, but the system setup

had some glitches.

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35. Shrank/shrunk

Shrank is the simple past tense. Shrunk is the past

participle.

Honey, I shrunk the kids.

Honey, I shrank the kids

Honey, I‟ve shrunk the kids.

36. Stationary/stationery

Think „e for envelope‟: stationary means unmoving;

stationery refers to writing supplies.

I unpacked the boxes of stationary.

I unpacked the boxes of stationery.

The car was stationery thanks to its flat tyres.

The car was stationary thanks to its flat tyres.

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37. They’re/their/there

Their means belonging to them. There is the opposite

of here. They’re is the contraction of they are.

The girls played with they‟re toys.

The girls played with their toys.

The book is over their.

The book is over there.

There going to the zoo.

They‟re going to the zoo.

38. Warn/worn

Warn means to indicate or advise of trouble or

danger. Worn means attired, wearied or diminished

in value through use.

I worn you not to make me cross!

I warn you not to make me cross!

She was warn out after the long walk.

She was worn out after the long walk.

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39. Where/wear/were/ware

Where is about location. Wear is a verb (doing word)

meaning to be dressed in. Were is the past tense of

the verb to be. Wares are merchandise.

Were are you?

Where are you?

What are you waring?

What are you wearing?

Where you happy as a child?

Were you happy as a child?

The market trader laid out his wears.

The market trader laid out his wares.

40. Who’s/whose

Who’s means who is or who has. Whose means

belonging to which person.

Whose coming for dinner this evening?

Who‟s coming for dinner this evening?

Who‟s dirty socks are these?

Whose dirty socks are these?

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41. An/a*

Use an when the word it precedes would sound like

it began with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) when spoken –

e.g. honour, hour, MP.

An European minister and a MP met at an hotel

for a hour-long meeting.

A European minister and an MP met at a hotel

for an hour-long meeting.

42. Fewer/less

Use fewer when you can count the items to which

you‟re referring. Use less when you can‟t count the

items.

There are less biscuits in the jar.

There are fewer biscuits in the jar.

There‟s fewer time left.

There‟s less time left.

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43. Instead of/rather than

Use instead of when contrasting items that aren‟t

parallel in structure. Use rather than when the

contrasted items are parallel in structure.

When you go out, leave your coat on the table

rather than hanging it up.

When you go out, leave your coat on the table

instead of hanging it up.

The writer uses a PC instead of a Mac.

The writer uses a PC rather than a Mac.

44. Literally

Literally means it really happened. Don‟t use it for

anything other than fact.

He was so angry, he literally exploded with

rage. (means he physically exploded into lots of

little bits)

He was so angry, he exploded with rage. (means

he lost his rag)

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45. Lie/lay/lain/laid

You lie down on the bed, but you lay your baby

down in his cot. The difference is, lay involves an

object – it‟s not a direct verb. The past tense of the

verb to lie is lay, and the past participle is lain. The

past form and past participle of the verb to lay is laid.

Please lie the package on the floor.

Please lay the package on the floor.

She lay the books on the table.

She laid the books on the table.

We had lain the clothes out on the bed.

We had laid the clothes out on the bed.

I need to lay down.

I need to lie down.

She laid down on the bed.

She lay down on the bed.

He had laid on the sofa all day.

He had lain on the sofa all day.

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46. A lot, not alot

Two words, not one.

I eat alot of cabbage.

I eat a lot of cabbage.

47. Low/high

Prices are low or high, as are temperatures.

In the sale I found a dress at a really cheap

price.

In the sale I found a dress at a really low price.

In the desert the temperatures are very hot.

In the desert the temperatures are very high.

48. Who/that

When referring to a person, use who not that.

The doctor that treated me was sympathetic.

The doctor who treated me was sympathetic.

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49. Over/more than

Over is the opposite of under, and you use it to refer

to positioning in space. When referring to quantity,

use more than.

He earns over a million pounds a year.

He earns more than a million pounds a year.

50. Unique

Unique is absolute – so something can‟t be more or

less unique, really unique, totally unique or very

unique.

This is a really unique invention.

This is a unique invention.

51. Publicly, not publically

Say the word aloud; you don‟t say public-ally.

We were publically humiliated.

We were publicly humiliated.

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52. Inconsistent spellings

Whatever spelling style you‟re using, you need to be

consistent.

I dreamed that you learnt to salsa dance.

I dreamed that you learned to salsa dance

When you industrialize a country, you

systemise the workers.

When you industrialize a country, you

systemize the workers.

53. February, not Febuary

A tough one as most people drop the r in the

pronunciation.

The fourteenth of Febuary is Valentine‟s Day.

The fourteenth of February is Valentine‟s Day.

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54. Liaise, not liase

Don‟t forget the second i.

Please liase with my secretary about the

arrangements.

Please liaise with my secretary about the

arrangements.

55. Pastime, not passtime or pasttime

It‟s not a pass time, or a past time.

Watching Bargain Hunt had become an

interesting passtime.

Watching Bargain Hunt had become an

interesting pasttime.

Watching Bargain Hunt had become an

interesting pastime.

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56. Starting sentences with a numeral

Always spell out a number at the start of a sentence;

this rule supersedes any style you‟re applying to

spelled-out numbers versus numerals.

50 per cent of six-year-olds believe in Santa.

Fifty per cent of six-year-olds believe in Santa.

57. Gauge, not guage

Think of how it sounds when you say the word aloud

– the a sound comes right after the g.

I tried to guage his response.

I tried to gauge his response.

58. Surprise, not suprise

Don‟t forget the r.

I was suprised to see Granny pole-dancing.

I was surprised to see Granny pole-dancing.

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59. Separate, not seperate

Say the word aloud and you hear the a sound.

To make a meringue, first seperate the eggs.

To make a meringue, first separate the eggs.

60. Definitely, not definately

Say the word aloud; you can hear the it sound.

„I‟m definately not wearing stilettos for

mountaineering again,‟ she said.

„I‟m definitely not wearing stilettos for

mountaineering again,‟ she said.

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61. Brackets and punctuation*

Place brackets around the text you are offsetting and

its accompanying punctuation only.

I didn‟t like the meal he cooked (peach pizza.)

I didn‟t like the meal he cooked (peach pizza).

(To find out more, visit the website).

(To find out more, visit the website.)

62. Colon

A colon stands alone as a punctuation mark; you

don‟t need to add a dash.

I offer three services:- hairdressing, makeup and

massage.

I offer three services: hairdressing, makeup and

massage.

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63. Commas in dialogue

In dialogue, offset terms of address (mate, darling,

Grandpa, Susan) with commas.

„Sam do you like my new dress? I was thinking

my dear that we should go out so I can show it

off.‟

„Sam, do you like my new dress? I was

thinking, my dear, that we should go out so I

can show it off.‟

64. Comma splice

This is a fancy way to describe using a comma to

join two sentences. It‟s never right, so always join

the sentences properly (e.g. with words like and or

but) or split them using a full stop.

James got out of the car, he walked towards the

house.

James got out of the car. He walked towards the

house.

James got out of the car and he walked towards

the house.

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65. Commas to replace then

In if sentences you need either a comma or a then.

If you open the door the dog will escape.

If you open the door, then the dog will escape.

If you open the door, the dog will escape.

If you open the door then the dog will escape.

66. Dashes/hyphens

When using a dash in a sentence, make sure it is a

dash (–) and not a hyphen (-). Microsoft Word often

automatically corrects these as you type, but you

should also do a global search-and-replace for

hyphens masquerading as dashes.

I realised then that I was alone - totally alone.

I realised then that I was alone – totally alone.

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67. Ellipsis (…)

Restrain yourself to three dots in an ellipsis.

But he loved me.........so why run away?

But he loved me… so why run away?

68. Plurals of acronyms

An acronym is an abbreviation of a phrase formed

with the first letters of each word in the phrase,

capitalised, like CD, PC, UN and so on. You don‟t

need to use an apostrophe when making a plural of

an acronym.

The MP‟s got into trouble over their expense

claims.

The MPs got into trouble over their expense

claims.

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69. Question and exclamation marks

Good writers stick to one question mark or (not and)

exclamation mark only.

What‟s up with you??? You look like you‟ve

seen a ghost!?!

What‟s up with you? You look like you‟ve seen

a ghost!

70. Quotation marks within quotation marks

Use single quote marks within double, or double

within single.

In his report Dr Brown wrote: “There is

increasing concern about the incidence of so-

called “banana disease” in young children.”

In his report Dr Brown wrote: “There is

increasing concern about the incidence of so-

called „banana disease‟ in young children.”

In his report Dr Brown wrote: „There is

increasing concern about the incidence of so-

called “banana disease” in young children.‟

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71. Capitalising job titles

Use capital letters for a job title only when it‟s

directly related to a name.

The Chancellor was moaning about the state of

the country to his colleague, prime minister

David Cameron.

The chancellor was moaning about the state of

the country to his colleague, Prime Minister

David Cameron.

72. Capitalising mum/dad

Use a capital for mum/dad (or mother or father etc.)

only when using the word as a term of address.

I followed my Dad out into the garden and

asked, „dad, are you happy?‟

I followed my dad out into the garden and

asked, „Dad, are you happy?‟

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73. Capitalising seasons

You don‟t need to capitalise the first letter in

seasons.

I fell in love in Summer, but by Winter my heart

had grown icy.

I fell in love in summer, but by winter my heart

had grown icy.

74. Apostrophes to indicate possession

Remember the film Two Weeks Notice? Well, it

should have been Two Weeks’ Notice. Why? Because

just as „the table‟s leg‟ means „the leg of the table‟,

so „two weeks‟ notice‟ is short for „the notice of two

weeks‟.

I have three years experience.

I have three years‟ experience.

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75. Consistent use of hyphens

Use a dictionary if in doubt as to whether to use a

hyphen in a word/phrase, and be consistent in your

style throughout.

Your cooperation is appreciated; co-operative

people do well in our company.

Your cooperation is appreciated; cooperative

people do well in our company.

Your co-operation is appreciated; co-operative

people do well in our company.

76. Consistent use of serial comma

The serial comma is a comma before the and/or at

the end of the list. It‟s entirely optional. Whether you

use it or not, remember to be consistent.

I gave him happiness, love, and fidelity; he gave

me heartache, misery and herpes.

I gave him happiness, love, and fidelity; he gave

me heartache, misery, and herpes.

I gave him happiness, love and fidelity; he gave

me heartache, misery and herpes.

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77. Italicisation of titles*

Use italics for titles of films, books, plays and

operas.

The film Twilight is based on the book

Twilight.

The film Twilight is based on the book Twilight.

78. Taught/taut/tort/tort

Taught is the past form of the verb to teach. Taut is

the opposite of slack. Tort means a wrongful act. A

torte is a scrumptious cake.

I torte my niece to make a fruit tort.

I taught my niece to make a fruit torte.

He pulled the string taught.

He pulled the string taut.

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79. Consistent number style

You need to choose a number style and stick to it.

The most common style in non-fiction is to spell out

numbers up to and including ten, and then use

numerals (11, 12, 13 and so on); but in fiction, you

often spell out most numbers.

I bought 3 bananas, 2 pears and 10 apples, and

used them to bake ten tarts and 4 pies.

I bought three bananas, two pears and ten

apples, and used them to bake ten tarts and four

pies.

80. Lightening/lightning

Lightening is when something gets lighter. Lightning

is the big flash in the sky.

Seconds after the thunder, lightening split the

heavens.

Seconds after the thunder, lightning split the

heavens.

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81. Dairy/diary

In a dairy cows are milked. In a diary you write your

thoughts.

The Dairy of Anne Frank is a moving book.

The Diary of Anne Frank is a moving book.

82. Cease/seize

Cease means come or bring to an end. Seize means

grab suddenly or take by force or have a seizure (fit).

Hostilities seized after the treaty.

Hostilities ceased after the treaty.

She ceased Fifty Shades of Grey and marched

out of the bookshop.

She seized Fifty Shades of Grey and marched

out of the bookshop.

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83. Handy work/handiwork

No doubt the work is handy, but the word you‟re

looking for here is handiwork.

The lolly-stick Eiffel Tower was colossal, and I

admired the artist‟s handy work.

The lolly-stick Eiffel Tower was colossal, and I

admired the artist‟s handiwork.

84. Stared/starred

Stared is the past form of the verb to stare. Starred is

the past form of the verb to star.

John starred at the crumpled heap that had once

been his Fiat Punto.

John stared at the crumpled heap that had once

been his Fiat Punto.

Tom Hanks stared in the film Forrest Gump.

Tom Hanks starred in the film Forrest Gump.

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85. Brasserie/brassiere

Ah, one of my favourites. A brasserie is a classy

place to have lunch. A brassiere is an over-the-

shoulder boulder holder – a bra.

They had a delightful lunch in a little brassiere

in Covent Garden.

They had a delightful lunch in a little brasserie

in Covent Garden.

All these lacy brasseries and thongs and

whatnots terrified Malcolm.

All these lacy brassieres and thongs and

whatnots terrified Malcolm.

86. Themself

Not a word. Use themselves, or avoid using the

singular use of they/them altogether.

As for the addict, they have to help themself.

As for the addict, they have to help themselves.

As for the addict, he has to help himself.

As for addicts, they have to help themselves.

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87. Adverse/averse

Adverse means preventing success or development,

hostile, unfavourable. Averse means having a strong

dislike or being in opposition to something.

I hope you suffer no averse effects after this

peach-and-pilchard pizza.

I hope you suffer no adverse effects after this

peach-and-pilchard pizza.

He was not adverse to wearing a tutu over his

trousers.

He was not averse to wearing a tutu over his

trousers.

88. Anxious/eager

Anxious means worried. Eager means keen.

She was anxious to try out her new tone-your-

bum trainers.

She was eager to try out her new tone-your-bum

trainers.

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89. Flack/flak

A flack is a publicist. Flak means antiaircraft fire, but

is commonly used to mean excessive or abusive

criticism.

He got considerable flack for wearing a string of

pearls to the office.

He got considerable flak for wearing a string of

pearls to the office.

90. Loath/loathe

Loath is an adjective that means reluctant. Loathe is

a verb that means hate.

Aled was loathe to give up his meat-pie-a-day

habit.

Aled was loath to give up his meat-pie-a-day

habit.

I loath The X Factor.

I loathe The X Factor.

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91. Tortuous/torturous

Tortuous means full of twists and

turns. Torturous means painful.

I got lost in the book‟s torturous plot.

I got lost in the book‟s tortuous plot.

Listening to Uncle Clive sing „Oh Danny Boy‟

is tortuous.

Listening to Uncle Clive sing „Oh Danny Boy‟

is torturous.

92. Between you and I/me

The explanation is a little complicated, so I‟ll stick to

saying you wouldn‟t say between you and he or you

and she or you and they, would you? So use me to

match the pronouns him, her and them.

Between you and I, I haven‟t the faintest idea

what „objective pronoun‟ means.

Between you and me, I haven‟t the faintest idea

what „objective pronoun‟ means.

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93. Better/had better

To give advice, you use had better plus a verb.

You better do as the man waving the gun says.

You‟d better do as the man waving the gun

says.

94. Apostrophes in numbers

You don‟t need to use an apostrophe for a plural

number.

She‟s a child of the 1980‟s.

She‟s a child of the 1980s.

95. En-dashes/hyphens in ranges

Use a dash, not a hyphen, in a range.

On pages 235-7, I explain that 250-300 cows

crossed the field.

On pages 235–7, I explain that 250–300 cows

crossed the field.

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96. Hyphenating numbers

Numbers twenty-one to ninety-nine are hyphenated.

Sixty seven people started the race. Only forty

two crossed the finish line.

Sixty-seven people started the race. Only forty-

two crossed the finish line.

97. Tenderhooks/tenterhooks

Your hooks aren‟t tender; you‟re full of anticipation.

In ye olden days a tenter was a frame that stretched

woollen cloth; so being on tenterhooks means

stretched, in anxious suspense.

As Usain Bolt sauntered to the finish line, the

crowd was on tenderhooks.

As Usain Bolt sauntered to the finish line, the

crowd was on tenterhooks.

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98. However as a joining word

However does not have the power to act as a

conjunction (and, but). Change to but, start a new

sentence or use a semi-colon if the two sentences

you‟re joining are closely related.

I don‟t like him however I do like her.

I don‟t like him; however, I do like her.

I don‟t like him. However, I do like her.

I don‟t like him, but I do like her.

99. Question mark placement

Put the question mark right after the question.

Why does no one like my Hitler moustache,

wondered Alvin?

Why does no one like my Hitler moustache?

wondered Alvin.

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100. Interruptions and trailing off

When writing dialogue, use an ellipsis to indicate a

character‟s words trailing off, and an en dash to

indicate their words being cut off.

„I really don‟t think you want to push that

button, Gwendol…‟

„I really don‟t think you want to push that

button, Gwendol–‟

101. Moot/mute

The correct expression is a moot point, not a mute

point.

Whether or not Cedric meant to call Cecil a

goggle-eyed twit is a mute point.

Whether or not Cedric meant to call Cecil a

goggle-eyed twit is a moot point.

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TEN US/UK SPELLING DIFFERENCES TO

WATCH FOR

UK US

aeroplane airplane

centre center

cheque check

colour color

got gotten

license (verb); licence

(noun)

licence (verb and noun)

mum mom

okay OK

practise (verb); practice

(noun)

practice (verb and noun)

travelled traveled

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SOME OF MY FAVOURITE MISTAKES

No book on mistakes would be complete without a

quick look at some of those I‟ve come across that

have made me smile:

His attire was all a rye.

A-presto!

At the sight of the blood, he wretched violently.

„Stop wining, you silly child!‟

The dog was viscous, but its tail was waging.

He tried in vein to get her attention.

Merrily, they set off on their peddle-o.

The audience were united in a standing

ovulation.

„Oh, just ignore me. I‟m out of salts today.‟

The pubic area was spacious.

The suede and turnip stew was rank. (No

wonder!)

I wanted to answer, but I was tongue-tired.

He drove the knife into my thy, and then my

midrift.

The secateurs‟ virus spread like wildfire.

On queue, he sniffed oughtily.

Life in the Foreign Lesion was tough.

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And with that she sailed off, her servant in toe.

The plan is full proof.

She wore a plan whit t-shit.

He was in the first throws of love.

At the end of the garden was a wooden chicken

coup.

They were like Cane and Able.

He was a baking singer.

A beardy-eyed old man.

She disguarded the ideas she did not like.

Her calm exterior bellied her inner turmoil.

The vast geezer shot up into the air, showering

down water.

„In trouble again, Jimmy? This is getting to be a

hobbit.‟

He road off down the rode.

The hoarse‟s wonky gate made it hard to ride.

Such a lovely hew of pink.

I in-hailed the scent of pares.

Woe and behold, there it was.

I liked him; nerveless, I was going to kill him.

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QUICK QUIZ

Complete the sentences to test your knowledge (the

answers are on the next page):

1. „Can you hear me______

a) Bob?‟

b) , Bob?‟

2. Adam shaved off six _______ worth of beard-

stubble.

a) months

b) months‟

3. The boss was forced to _______ his employee‟s

resignation.

a) except

b) accept

4. Grabbing her by the hand, he ______ her from the

burning barn.

a) led

b) lead

5. The support organisation gives ______.

a) advice

b) advise

6. Mr ______ snoring annoys his wife.

a) Jones‟

b) Jones‟s

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7. I can‟t _____ between them.

a) chose

b) choose

8. Please ______ you fasten your seatbelt.

a) insure

b) ensure

9. The boy was late for school ______ the teacher

did not notice.

a) ; however

b) , however

10. As she ______ the mirror, she admired her

reflection.

a) past

b) passed

11. I couldn‟t work out ______ to go.

a) where

b) ware

c) wear

d) were

12. He took his ______ out for lunch.

a) mum

b) Mum

13. The bolt of ______ hit Electric Jim in the head.

a) lightening

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b) lightning

14. I‟ll ______ keep it a secret.

a) try to

b) try and

15. We threw a _____ party for Dad‟s fiftieth.

a) suprise

b) surprise

16. She was ______ at the door.

a) stood

b) standing

17. Mmm. This raspberry ______ is delicious.

a) tort

b) torte

18. The eagle swooped down to grab ______ prey.

a) it‟s

b) its

19. The thieves ______ stolen the car, but it

wouldn‟t start.

a) would have

b) would of

20. In ______ the leaves fall from the trees.

a) autumn

b) Autumn

21. ______ son was born on a Wednesday.

63

a) Their

b) They‟re

c) There

22. You can grow ______ herb garden on your patio.

a) a

b) an

23. Jane was ______ to admit she fancied James.

a) loath

b) loathe

24. The baby ______ crying once we found her

dummy.

a) seized

b) ceased

25. I cut my own hair ______ going to a

hairdresser‟s.

a) instead of

b) rather than

64

Answers

1. b

2. b

3. b

4. a

5. a

6. b

7. b

8. b

9. a

10. b

11. a

12. a

13. b

14. a

15. b

16. b

17. b

18. b

19. a

20. a

21. a

22. a

23. a

24. b

25. b