{"id":101,"date":"2024-05-28T23:28:28","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T23:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/karenmariepalmer.com\/theroughwritersguide\/chapter\/identifying-other-problems\/"},"modified":"2024-05-28T23:29:06","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T23:29:06","slug":"identifying-other-problems","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/karenmariepalmer.com\/theroughwritersguide\/chapter\/identifying-other-problems\/","title":{"raw":"Identifying Mechanics Problems","rendered":"Identifying Mechanics Problems"},"content":{"raw":"\n
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It\u2019s likely that you have a fair sense of proper mechanics in written texts, but even the best writers can benefit from a quick brush up or a quick reference now and then. This chapter provides an overview of writing issues involving spelling, capitalizing, and abbreviating words; using symbols; writing numbers; and using italics.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Spelling Errors<\/h1>\n

Recognizing Your Common Spelling Mistakes<\/h2>\n

Regardless of how good a speller you are, knowing the type of spelling errors you are likely to make can help you correct the errors.<\/p>\n\n

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Common Causes of Spelling Errors<\/th>\nExamples<\/th>\nWays to Deal with the Problems<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Some words do not follow common spelling rules.<\/td>\ni<\/em> before e<\/em> except after c<\/em>, so is it height or hieght?<\/td>\nKnow the rules, know some of the exceptions, and use a dictionary or spell checker if you have the slightest hesitation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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You interchange homophones without realizing it.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

I want to go to<\/strong>.<\/td>\nBe extra careful with each homophone you use; learn the commonly confused pairs of homophones.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You often do not recognize that a word has a homophone or you do not know which homophone to use.<\/td>\nThe cat chased its tale<\/strong> for an hour.<\/td>\nRead through your work once (preferably aloud) looking (and listening) only for homophone issues. Ask someone to proofread your work.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You misspell some words almost every time you use them.<\/td>\nI can\u2019t make a comittment<\/strong> today.<\/td>\nKeep a list of your problem words where you can easily glance at them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You find words from other languages confusing since they do not follow standard English spellings.<\/td>\nI\u2019m going to make an orderve<\/strong> for the party.<\/td>\nAdd foreign words you often use to your list of problem words. Look the others up each time you use them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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Can Spell Check Help?<\/h2>\n

The combination of extensive computer use and spell checkers have changed the way we look at spelling. Today\u2019s software programs often provide both manual and automatic spell checking. Manual spell checking lets you go through the entire document or selected text from it and checks for spellings not present in the dictionary of reference. Automatic spell checking underlines spelling errors for you (usually in red). By right-clicking on the misspelled word, you\u2019ll be given one or more correctly spelled alternatives. When you find the spelling you think is correct, clicking on that word will change the text automatically. Sometimes automatic spell checking underlines words that aren\u2019t misspelled, but it rarely misses words that are. So if you check all the marked words, you can \u201cspell check as you write.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just make sure you don\u2019t rely on spell check to have a human eye. Consider the following sentence: \u201cIt was sunny win I drove of this mourning, so I lift my umbrela in the car port.\u201d If you use a spell checker on this sentence, you will be alerted to fix the problem with \u201cumbrela.\u201d You won\u2019t, however, be given any indication that \u201cwin,\u201d \u201cmourning,\u201d \u201cof,\u201d \u201clift,\u201d and \u201ccar port\u201d are problems. Spell checkers have no way to tag misspelled words if the misspelling forms another word, incorrectly used homophones, or compound words that are presented as two words. So even though spell checkers are great tools, do not give them the sole responsibility of making sure your spelling is accurate.<\/p>\n

Spell checkers can also suggest the wrong first choice to replace a misspelled word. Consider the following sentence: \u201cMy shert was wet cleer thrugh to my skin, and my shos sloshed with every step.\u201d A spell checker might list \u201cthough\u201d as a first-choice for \u201cthrugh\u201d and \u201cthrough\u201d as the second choice, thus forcing you to know that \u201cthough\u201d is not right and to look on down the list and choose \u201cthrough.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a rule, only very common proper nouns are part of the dictionaries on which a spell checker is based. Consequently, you are left to check your spelling of those words. Many software programs allow users to add words to the dictionary. This permission lets you incorporate proper nouns you use often into the dictionary so you will not have to address them during a spell check. You might, for example, add your name or your workplace to the dictionary. Besides adding proper nouns, you can also add your list of other words you\u2019ve commonly misspelled in the past.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Strategies for Spelling Success<\/h2>\n

1. Learn Common Spelling Rules<\/h3>\n

Although they all have exceptions, common spelling rules exist and have become known as common rules because they are true most of the time. It is in your best interest to know both the rules and the common exceptions to the rules.<\/p>\n\n

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