Top 5 Typos

As someone who reads just under 100,000 words a month, I’m shocked that people need to ask why proofreading is important. Well, the best way I can think of to explain the ‘why’, is to bring up some examples of things I see, and explain how they’re bad. So, join me on this whirlwind tour of the top five mistakes people make when writing, and why you should avoid them.

Hype for hyphens
First up, at number five, there are problems with hyphens. You use hyphens when you want two or more words to act as an adjective. Putting in too many isn’t so bad, but missing them out when they should be there makes things confusing. A prime example, a “real-time update” is being told something as it’s happening. But “real time update” is looking at a clock. Very different. Remember your hyphens!

Which side of the pond are you on?
Next, at number four, we have the differences between UK and US English. Everyone knows about “colour” and “color”, but did you know in the UK, “your organisation can utilise a specialised programme to visualise expertise”, and in the US, “your organization can utilize a specialized program to visualize expertise”? And did you notice how some words are the same in both? Try not to get them confused. Make sure that at least it’s all the same. Better to be consistent, even if you’re not right.

Broken records
Third, the bronze medal, goes to repetitions. When people use the same phrase over and over again, or the same word, or the same idea but with different words, then they’re just going over the same ground, over and over again. Hitting the reader with the same words, the same ideas, with hardly any variety, over and over again, is just a bit tiring, don’t you think?

Know what I mean
Coming in at number two is ambiguity. This happens when people write what they say out loud. The same words, in the same order. But when text doesn’t have the same tone as a voice, none of the words are stressed. The lack of emphasis on particular words can rob the sentence of the desired meaning and leave the reader with two or three options on what’s trying to be said. For example, if someone sends you the message “You have to get this right now” are they asking you to acquire something immediately, or to accomplish something correctly?

Death by committee
And at number one, the top spot, is the worst, the only: complete and utter nonsense. When too many people are throwing around too many ideas, in too many messages back and forth or amend loops, and there’s too much confidence and not nearly enough checking. That’s when you end up sending out something that asks them to sign up tomorrow now, gives them a list of options one item long or spells the product name differently every time.

So that’s the list, the top five mistakes people make when writing. Hopefully, I’ve also conveyed why it’s best to avoid them. If you’re not sure, call up your local proofreader. Trust me, they just want to make things better.