[BrandonSternfield]

Reputation for the poem!

[Auliya]

I thought i would point this out as well. Its not necessarily grammar or spelling, but sometimes when your typing your articles so fast you can make typing errors, and often it is hard to see them when you are editing. One instance i remember was receiving an article that used the Homes a lot, but the writer forgot one of the M's, but Hoe is still a word, so the computer didn't pick it up, and it was missed in the editing process. So my advice is to have someone ELSE read over your work quickly to find any of these small and obvious typing errors you may miss, because I know its often hard to see them yourself. And I know when i see those kind of errors on a webpage, I will likely leave, or atleast not stay much longer.

[Smuck]

I shouldn't have to mention this, however, I am amazed at the number of professionals I deal with who use double negatives. Either in writing or speech. If there is one sure way to leave a bad impression, simply use a double negative!

No way I'll never do that!

[ZeroFlaws.com]

My personal take is that there is no need for spell-check or grammatical accuracy in informal messaging.

I've stopped writing much since college but I've had poetry and short fiction published. I still get the occasional manuscript from people in those classes because they value my thoughts and opinions about copy editing.

What I'm getting at is that I have a decent ability to correctly compose a sentence or two. I can spell with reasonable accuracy and rumor has it that I've written some things that genuinely entertained a few.

Yet I bring none of that to email or forums. I'm a wordy guy so maybe that is why. I could spend hours poring over my paragraphs correcting verb tenses and making sure that not participles dangle.

Yet I cannot imagine who cares. If you correct me then that is fine. Touché! You've caught me being casual, you rascal!

That said, while I'm being corrected, I'm already off somewhere else probably committing equally grievous acts of idiocy.

Yes, if it is a static web page or an advertisement then read it thrice and call a friend to do the same. Otherwise, I choose to remain guilty as charged.

[webmaster]

Amen Brother!

Originally Posted by ZeroFlaws.com

My personal take is that there is no need for spell-check or grammatical accuracy in informal messaging.

I've stopped writing much since college but I've had poetry and short fiction published. I still get the occasional manuscript from people in those classes because they value my thoughts and opinions about copy editing.

What I'm getting at is that I have a decent ability to correctly compose a sentence or two. I can spell with reasonable accuracy and rumor has it that I've written some things that genuinely entertained a few.

Yet I bring none of that to email or forums. I'm a wordy guy so maybe that is why. I could spend hours poring over my paragraphs correcting verb tenses and making sure that not participles dangle.

Yet I cannot imagine who cares. If you correct me then that is fine. Touché! You've caught me being casual, you rascal!

That said, while I'm being corrected, I'm already off somewhere else probably committing equally grievous acts of idiocy.

Yes, if it is a static web page or an advertisement then read it thrice and call a friend to do the same. Otherwise, I choose to remain guilty as charged.

[seogerry]

Of course!
As I am a "writing fascist" (so they say), people like to say things like "...and don't correct my spelling!" during MSN convoes. I always throw up my hands.

Who DOES care about spelling/grammar in informal, personal dialogues? Nobody should. And I don't think anybody has said otherwise in this thread.

[Saodavi]

@REW Auliya. Well you'll probably be happy to know that Denton Real Estate has the cheapest hoes in Texas!

Word.

[SEO Nick]

Here's a good one....

Affect and Effect...

Affect: Verb
Effect: Noun

[seogerry]

That's a good one, Nick. It's so common.
But your explanation is misleading, because "effect" can be a verb.
"It's time to effect some changes in America's literacy."

[Calgary Agent]

Originally Posted by seogerry

That's a good one, Nick. It's so common.
But your explanation is misleading, because "effect" can be a verb.
"It's time to effect some changes in America's literacy."

from http://www.writersblock.ca/tips/monthtip/tipsep99a.htm

Writing Tips: Affect Vs. Effect

Affect and effect are two words that are commonly confused.

"Affect" is usually a verb meaning "to influence".

The drug did not affect the disease.

"Effect" is usually a noun meaning "result".

The drug has many adverse side effects.

"Effect" can also be used as a verb meaning "to bring about".

The present government effected many positive changes.


Here's a test .... Correct the following uses of AFFECT & EFFECT:

Make corrections where needed.

1. The affect of the antibiotic on her infection was surprising.
2. I did not know that antibiotics could effect people so quickly.
3. Plastic surgery had an effect, not only on her appearance, but on her self-esteem.
4. If the chemotherapy has no affect, should she get surgery for the tumor?
5. When will we know if the chemotherapy has taken effect?
6. Losing her hair from chemotherapy did not effect her as much as her friends had expected.
7. We cannot effect a new policy without the board of directors voting on it first.
8. To be an affective leader, you should know both your strengths as well as your weaknesses.
9. The movie Winged Migration had two effects on him: He became an environmental advocate and a bird lover.
10. The net affect of blowing the whistle on her boss was that she was eventually given his position.
11. What was the affect of his promotion?
12. His decision affected everyone here.
13. We had to effect a reduction in costs.
14. The critics greatly effected his thinking.
15. How were you able to affect such radical changes?
16. That book had a major affect on his philosophy.

see http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/exercises/eff_aff1.asp for answers