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Greg Ross
20-12-2002, 14:51
What words have you noticed frequently misspelled on these boards? Do you have any hints for our "poor speller friends" to help them remember how to spell these words?

I'll start it off with "mabey". I just realized I have seen this misspelling very frequently. It has been committed by several people. (I could name names, but I'll be gentle. ;) )

For those of you who have problems with this word, it may help to realize that maybe is actually the concatenation of two words: may and be. Think: "It may be that...".

OK. It's your turn now...

<edit>
I just realized this might be too "meaty" for the chit-chat forum. Brandon, feel free to move it if you wish.
</edit>

Brandon Martus
20-12-2002, 15:37
This is probably where it should go.

--------------

I am a frequent offender of this one:
teh = the

And some others:
ur = you're / you are / your
Huston = Houston

Johca_Gaorl
20-12-2002, 19:03
teh = the
liek = like
u = you

If I mess up it's usually my fingers got off, or one hand got ahead of the other, and hit one key first.

Katie Reynolds
20-12-2002, 19:08
I see "misspelled" misspelled alot of the time!

sceince = science
cheif = chief
Wensday = Wednesday
Febuary = February

Yeah. :)

- Katie

Jnadke
20-12-2002, 19:32
Originally posted by Katie Reynolds
sceince = science
cheif = chief



Yeah, those "ei-ie" words can be tricky, eh? Especially in words like "concieved". :p

Madison
20-12-2002, 19:58
STIRLING.

Katie Reynolds
20-12-2002, 20:07
Originally posted by Jnadke
Yeah, those "ei-ie" words can be tricky, eh? Especially in words like "concieved". :p
Shush :p It went through four people before anyone noticed the mistake! And if Schuff hadn't pointed it out in front of everyone, no one would have noticed the difference! ;)

- Katie

Greg Ross
21-12-2002, 13:00
I just noticed this one in a couple of posts this morning.

From Dictionary.com: "capable: Having capacity or ability..."

If you think capacity before you write capable, you shouldn't have a problem with knowing which vowel to use.



By the way, this is an example of the type of post I was hoping to attract with this thread -- not just a list of misspelled words.

The good spellers out there in CD land may have a hard time empathizing with bad spellers, but it would be great if we could practice the virtue of gracious professionalism, and try to give a boost to those who struggle with spelling.

And for the bad spellers: You may have struggled with some words, and finally learned a trick to remember some of your bugaboo words. Please share them!

<edit>
Oops. I really didn't mean to give them a boot. :o I meant give them a boost. :D
</edit>

Joe Matt
21-12-2002, 13:30
WHY DO (:p) I have the feeling this is being directed towards me?

evulish
21-12-2002, 14:01
Originally posted by JosephM
How come do I have the feeling this is being directed towards me?

I think you mean "Why do I have..."

err...*runs away* :D

rbayer
21-12-2002, 16:14
Here's one:

You're is a contraction. It is short for "you are." (ie "You're strange")
Your is a possesive, like "my," "his," or "her." (ie "Your habits are strange")

If it sounds correct to say "you are," use "you're". If not, use "your". Ditto on "it's" versus "its".

Greg Ross
21-12-2002, 17:45
Originally posted by JosephM
WHY DO (:p) I have the feeling this is being directed towards me?
Umm... Guilty conscience?

Greg Ross
21-12-2002, 17:57
Originally posted by rbayer
Ditto on "it's" versus "its".

Be careful with it's and its. "It's" means "it is", and "its" is posessive.

Katie Reynolds
21-12-2002, 19:06
Heh ... "there" "their" and "they're".

There = a place ... "The robot is over there!"
Their = posessive ... "Did we take their battery?"
They're = contraction; they are ... "Look at what they're doing."

:)

- Katie

rbayer
21-12-2002, 21:56
Originally posted by gwross
Be careful with it's and its. "It's" means "it is", and "its" is posessive.

My point exactly. Sentences such as "put the drill bit back in it's case" are starting to bug me as they just don't make any sense Who would ever say "put the drill bit back in it is case?"


Anyway, here's another:

Effect is a noun, as in "What effect would a 2in drill bit have on your lexan frame?"
Affect is a verb, as in "How would a 2in drill bit affect your lexan support structure?"

And one more:
"Me" is a direct object. "I" is a subject. Despite what elementary school teachers preach, "I" is not always the correct choice. For example, "can you take my friend and I to robotics tonight?" doesn't make any sense. After all, would you ask, "can you take I to robotics tonight?" I would certainly hope not. This is one of my biggest pet-peeves as it is a taught mistake by our <sarcasm>wonderful</sarcasm> education system... but I digress.

Greg Ross
22-12-2002, 00:18
Originally posted by rbayer
Effect is a noun, as in "What effect would a 2in drill bit have on your lexan frame?"
Affect is a verb, as in "How would a 2in drill bit affect your lexan support structure?"

Generally true, however affect can be used as a noun, and effect as a verb -- though not as commonly. Unless you know what you're doing, stay away from those usages.

AdamT
22-12-2002, 12:53
I cringed when I saw this on a list-serve:

my friend has a consert tonight at 7:00. i was wondering if we are doing anything Relly big tonight cuz i relly wanted to see him sing. i just found about his consert today. sory... please tell me if we are doing somthing relly important today....

aaaaaahhhhhhh......

corectly = correctly