101 common writing mistakes

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Copyright © Charlie Wilson, www.PerfectlyWrite.co.uk, 2010. All rights reserved.

101 Common Mistakes

to Avoid in Your Writing

Charlie Wilson



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Contents

Introduction..................................................................................................................3

Being positive about learning.......................................................................................5

Punctuation..................................................................................................................6

Capitalisation.............................................................................................................10

General grammar and style.......................................................................................11

Commonly confused words.......................................................................................15

Choosing the right word.............................................................................................22

Spelling......................................................................................................................24

Quick quiz..................................................................................................................25

Answers.....................................................................................................................26

And finally: Three tips for improving your writing.......................................................27

Need some more help? ............................................................................................28



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Introduction

In my work as a professional copy editor and proofreader, I read hundreds of books

and documents each year. 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. So that’s

where this book comes in.

About this book

This book helps you avoid mistakes that many writers make. It focuses on UK

English (indeed, many of the mistakes I highlight involve writers confusing UK

English with US).

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.

Jargon buster

I’ve done my best to steer clear of complicated grammarspeak in this book, but the

odd bit of language jargon was unavoidable. Here, then, are a few technical words I

use in this book, and their definitions:

• 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



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A word on spelling/grammar checks

But surely you don’t need to worry about the mistakes listed in this book, because

your grammar-/spell-checker will correct them for you, right? Wrong! A grammar-

/spell-checker won’t highlight many of the mistakes I list in this book as errors. So

you need to know how to write yourself; you can’t trust a computer to do it for you.

About the author

I’m a published author and a trained and qualified copy editor and proofreader, with

many years’ experience working with authors, publishers and organisations on all

manner of material. I’m not one of those dry, boring, old-school grammarians;

instead, I like to find ways to simplify the understanding of language and make it

more accessible to anyone who wants to write.

To find out more about me, please visit my website at www.perfectlywrite.co.uk.



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Being positive about learningBefore you start reading through these common writing mistakes, you need to get in

the right frame of mind.

If you go through this book and discover you’ve been making some of the mistakes Ilist, don’t beat yourself up about it: you’re in good company. I find these mistakes

time and time again when I edit and proofread. And even top authors – the ones

whose books are bestsellers and who make a good living from writing – often make

these mistakes and rely on editors like me to correct them.

And it may well be the case that you were let down in your education, so you make

mistakes because you never learnt the correct way to write when you were younger.

I can vividly recall sitting in a university lecture hall many years ago with a scarlet

face while a professor named and shamed me as a poor writer because I had

incorrectly used an apostrophe in the word ‘its’. The truth was, I had been a straightA student throughout my schooling, and had been apostrophising ‘its’ for years

without a teacher ever picking up on my mistake and correcting it. So it really wasn’t

stupid or careless of me to have made the mistake, and there was no point (once I

got over my initial embarrassment) getting down about it. I had to cheerfully learn the

lesson, and move on.

And that’s the attitude you need to keep as you read this book. Be prepared to admit

you make mistakes, and be willing to correct them, and you’ll improve in leaps and

bounds as a writer.

It may be that you find only one or two mistakes that you make; or you may discover

you’ve been making a fair few or pretty much all these errors in your writing. Either

way, that’s fine. There’s no judgement here; just a willingness to grow as a writer.

So now you’re ready to start going through my top 101 problem areas. I hope you

find the following useful in improving your language skills and giving you confidence

in your writing ability.



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Punctuation

1. Apostrophes to indicate possession

Remember the film Two Weeks Notice ? Well, it should have read Two Weeks’

Notice . Why? Because just as ‘Bob’s cat’ is short for ‘the cat of Bob’, so ‘two weeks’

notice’ is short for ‘the notice of two weeks’.

I have three years experience.

Right: I have three years’ experience.

2. Brackets and punctuation

You should 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.)

3. 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.

4. Commas in dialogue

In dialogue, you offset names of people being addressed in commas.

‘Sam do you like my new dress? I was thinking Sam that we should go out

so I can show it off.’

‘Sam, do you like my new dress? I was thinking, Sam, that we should go out

so I can show it off.’



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5. 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.

6. 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 I was alone - totally alone.

I realised then I was alone – totally alone.

7. Double full stop

You never use two full stops in English.

Mitch opened the door..Mitch opened the door.

8. Ellipsis (. . .)

There are only ever three dots in an ellipsis.

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

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

9. Full stops after abbreviations

If the abbreviation includes both the first and last letter of the abbreviated word, as in

mister and doctor and street, don’t use a full stop.

‘Dr. Fielding is a very kind man,’ said Mrs. Jones.

‘Dr Fielding is a very kind man,’ said Mrs Jones.



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10. Full stops in 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 full

stops in acronyms.

The U.K. and the U.S.A. met at the N.A.T.O. summit to discuss policy.

The UK and the USA met at the NATO summit to discuss policy.

11. Hyphens

Use a dictionary if in doubt 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.

12. Plurals of acronyms

You don’t need to use an apostrophe when making a plural of an acronym.

The MP’s got in trouble over their expense claims.

The MPs got in trouble over their expense claims.

13. 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!



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14. Quotation marks within quotation marks

Use single quote marks within double; or double within single.

In his report Dr Brown wrote: “There is an increasing concern about the

causes of so-called “banana disease” among young children.” In his report Dr Brown wrote: “There is an increasing concern about the

causes of so-called ‘banana disease’ among young children.”

In his report Dr Brown wrote: ‘There is an increasing concern about the

causes of so-called “banana disease” among young children.’

15. Serial comma

The serial comma is a comma before the and/or at the end of the list. It’s entirely

optional, and is more common in US English. Whether you use it or not, you mustremember to be consistent.

I gave him happiness, love, and fidelity; he gave me heartache, misery and

embarrassment.

I gave him happiness, love, and fidelity; he gave me heartache, misery, and

embarrassment.

I gave him happiness, love and fidelity; he gave me heartache, misery and

embarrassment.

16. Single or double quotation marks

Either is fine, although in the UK most publications favour single. But be consistent in

your usage.

“James!” said Betty. ‘I’ve forgotten my passport!’

“James!” said Betty. “I’ve forgotten my passport!”

‘James!’ said Betty. ‘I’ve forgotten my passport!’

17. Spacing of dashes

In UK English we use en dashes (–) and we place a space before and after the dash.

(US English uses longer em dashes (—) closed up to the text.)

I turned the key in the lock and the door opened—simple, really.

I turned the key in the lock and the door opened – simple, really.



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Capitalisation

18. Job titles

Only use capital letters for a job title when it’s directly related to a name.

The Bus Conductor was moaning about the state of the country to his

passenger, prime minister David Cameron.

The bus conductor was moaning about the state of the country to his

passenger, Prime Minister David Cameron.

19. Mum/dad

Only use a capital for mum/dad (or mother or father etc) when using the word as the

person’s name.

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?’

20. Schooling

Only capitalise the first letter of school, college and so on when it forms part of an

actual place.

I went to School in Leeds and then attended the university of Nottingham.

I went to school in Leeds and then attended the University of Nottingham.

21. 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.



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General grammar and style

22. –ed/–t endings

Where you have a choice between –ed and –t verb endings for the past tense, be

consistent.

I dreamed that you learnt to salsa dance.

I dreamed that you learned to salsa dance.

I dreamt that you learnt to salsa dance.

23. Could of/would of

Always use could have and would have instead.

If I could of helped you, I would of.

If I could have helped you, I would have.

24. Different from/than

Always use different from; never different than.

My opinion is different than yours. My opinion is different from yours.

25. Film and book titles

Use italics for titles of publications, books and films.

I fell in love with Robert Pattinson the first time I saw the film Twilight.

I fell in love with Robert Pattinson the first time I saw the film Twilight .

26. Forming possessives with names that end in ‘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.



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27. 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.

28. It’s/its

It’s is the contraction of it is. Its means belonging to it.

Its a rainy day.

It’s a rainy day.

The dog lost it’s bone.The dog lost its bone.

29. Lists

Check 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. In fact, what the writer means is that on the trading

website you can 1) see what’s for sale, and 2) track your purchases, sales and

money owed. An essential ‘and’ is missing.

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.

30. Numerals/spelled out numbers

You need to choose a number style and stick to it. The most common style is to spell

out numbers up to and including ten, and then use numerals (11, 12, 13 and so on).

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.



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31. Off of

Simply say off, not off of.

I jumped off of the bed.

I jumped off the bed.

32. Organisations and teams

Even though organisations and teams involve a group of people, the words are

singular. So you say ‘the team is’ not ‘the team are’.

The company are branching out. They’ve created a new team that are

learning how to sky-dive.

The company is branching out. It’s created a new team that’s learning how to sky-dive.

33. People

The word people is understood to be plural, so don’t add an ‘s’.

The criminal stole peoples identities.

The criminal stole people’s identities.

34. 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.

35. 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.



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36. 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.

37. Subject/verb agreement

Be 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 this phrase, not the noun (thing)

it introduces.

A range of books are available.

A range of books is available.

38. The reason

Don’t use why or because with the word reason; they’re already implied.

The reason why I need a new computer is because my old one is broken.

The reason I need a new computer is that my old one is broken.

39. 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.



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Commonly confused words

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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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44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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!

47. Councillor/counsellor

A councillor works for a council. A counsellor counsels people (talks throughproblems.

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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48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. Enquire/inquire

To enquire means to ask. To inquire means to make a formal investigation.

I’m writing in inquire whether you have any jobs available.

I’m writing in 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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53. 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.

54. 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.

55. Judgement/judgment

Use judgment when talking about the law; for all other usage stick to judgement.

The court’s judgement was that the defendant was guilty.

The court’s judgment was that the defendant was guilty.

56. Lead/led

As a noun, lead can mean a 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.

57. 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.



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58. 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 kept walking passed the park.I passed the pub and kept walking past the park.

59. 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.

60. Practice/practise

Practice is the noun (the thing) and practise is the verb (the action).

I practice the piano.

I practise the piano.

The practise of yoga is good for relaxation.The practice of yoga is good for relaxation.

61. Principle/principal

Principle is a noun meaning a basic truth or guideline. Principal can be an adjective

(describing word) or a noun (thing) meaning first in rank or importance.

Vegetarians avoid meat on principal.

Vegetarians avoid meat on principle.

She is the principle dancer in the ballet.

She is the principal dancer in the ballet.



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62. 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!

63. Program/programme

Use program for computer programs; programme for everything else.

The city arranged a program of events to celebrate its jubilee.

The city arranged a programme of events to celebrate its jubilee.

The programme is designed to help you edit films on your PC.

The program is designed to help you edit films on your PC.

64. 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.

65. 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.



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66. 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.

67. 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.

68. 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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69. Where/wear/were/ware

Where attaches to a 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.

70. 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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Choosing the right word

71. 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.

72. 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 few time left.

There’s less time left.

73. Lie/lay/lain/laid

You lie down on the bed, but you lay your baby down in his cot. The difference is, layinvolves 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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74. Literally

Literally means it really happened. Don’t use it for anything other than fact.

He was so angry, he literally exploded. (means he physically exploded into

lots of little bits)He was so angry, he exploded. (means he lost his rag)

75. 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.

76. 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.

77. Whether/if

Use if when you mean if and only if. Use whether instead of if where an alternative

exists (even if you don’t spell out the alternative).

I can’t decide if I like him.

I can’t decide whether [or not] I like him.

78. 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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79. 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.



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Spelling

80. –is–/–iz–

In UK English you can choose to use either the ‘s’ or ‘z’ spelling in words like

realise/realising/realised/realisation and so on. The –ise ending is more common.

Whichever you choose, be consistent.

When you industrialise a country, you systemize the workers.

When you industrialise a country, you systemise the workers.

When you industrialize a country, you systemize the workers.

Words to watch

81. A lot not alot

82. Analyse not analyze

83. Argument not arguement

84. Consensus not concensus

85. Definitely not definately

86. Embarrass not embarass

87. Extension not extention

88. February not Febuary

89. Forty not fourty90. Fulfil not fulfill

91. Gauge not guage

92. Harass not harrass

93. Jewellery not jewelry

94. Liaise not liase

95. Minuscule not miniscule

96. Pastime not passtime or pasttime

97. Publicly not publically

98. Sceptic not skeptic

99. Separate not seperate

100. Skilful not skillful

101. Surprise not suprise



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Quick quizComplete the sentences to test your knowledge (answers on the next page):

1. ‘Can you hear me______ (Bob?’/, Bob?’/, Bob??’/ Bob’?

2. ‘How much does this cost?’ _______ the man. (enquired/inquired)3. The boss was forced to _______ his employee’s resignation. (except/accept)

4. Grabbing her by the hand, he ______ her from the burning barn. (led/lead)

5. Lee Primary ______ is near the ______. (school/School/university/University)

6. The organisation ______. (give advice/give advise/gives advice/gives advise)

7. Mr ______ snoring ______ his wife. (Jones’/ Jones’s/affects/effects)

8. I can’t _____ between them. (chose/choose)

9. Please ______ you fasten your seatbelt. (insure/ensure)

10. At the football ______ the boys ______ the ball. (practise/practice/past/passed)

11. ‘______ are the books?’ asked ______. (Where/Ware/Wear/Were/mum/Mum)

12. The scholar _____ the ______. (analysed/analyzed/argument/arguement)

13. I’ll ______ keep it a ______. (try to/try and/suprise/surprise)

14. She was ______ at the door. (stood/standing)

15. I have ______ brothers and two sisters. (3/three)

16. The eagle swooped down to ______ prey. (it’s/its)

17. The thieves ______ stolen the car, but it wouldn’t start. (would have/would of)

18. In ______ the leaves fall ______ the trees. (autumn/Autumn/off of/off)

19. ______ son was born in _____ hospital. (Their/They’re/There/a/an)

20. She ______ ______ her kids. (publicly/publically/embarrassed/embarassed)



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Answers

1. , Bob?’

2. enquired

3. accept 4. led

5. School/university

6. gives advice

7. Jones’s/affects

8. choose

9. ensure

10. practice/passed

11. Where/Mum

12. analysed/argument

13. try to/surprise

14. standing

15. three

16. its

17. would have

18. autumn/off

19. Their/a

20.publicly/embarrassed



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And finally: Three tips for improving your writingHere are my three top tips for growing as a writer.

1. Read, read, read

Learn by osmosis – read as much as you can and your understanding of language

and its usage will grow. Try to pick quality texts written by professional/edited writers,

such as broadsheet newspapers and books – trashy mags, the Sun and free internet

content isn’t likely to enrich your language much.

2. Invest in some decent reference booksI use Oxford style – so the Oxford English Dictionary and the Oxford Style Manual ;

their website at www.oup.com is also a handy reference.

I also recommend English Grammar For Dummies by Lesley Ward and Geraldine

Woods (Wiley), which I edited.

3. Learn a foreign language

If English grammar bores you senseless, don’t bother trying to fathom it. Learn

Italian or French or Russian. In doing so you’ll naturally break down English in order

to translate it, and will gain an instinctive understanding of how the language works.



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Need some more help?If you have any questions, or need some proofreading/copy-editing support, please

feel free to get in touch at [email protected].

101 common writing mistakes

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