Writing Prescription Fourteen

Alexander Pope said, 'To err is human...' Today I want to give you a list of common errors writers, including myself, often make:

ERROR CORRECTION

1. amature amateur

2. Ying and yang. yin and yang

3. expresso espresso

4. baited breath bated breath

5. deep-seeded deep-seated

6. digestive track digestive tract

7. cursing through coursing through veins

8. could of could have

should of should have

would of would have

must of must have

9. butt naked buck naked

Confusing two words:

1. Don't confuse AMBIGUOUS (unclear, undefined) with AMBIVALENT (torn between two opposing feelings or views);

2. Don't confuse AMBIVALENT with INDIFFERENT (no particular feelings about it);

3. Don't confuse EAGER (anxiety free, looking forward to) with ANXIOUS (anxiety, worried);

4. Don't confuse ARRANT (describing someone notorious who is thoroughly shameless) and ERRANT (wandering as in knight);

5. ASCENT is to climb, ASSENT is to agree or consent;

6. OBTAIN is to get, ATTAIN is to reach and requires labour/ difficulty;

7. VOCATION (your job); AVOCATION (your hobby) and VACATION (a holiday);

8. BARE (naked); BEAR (big grisly animal); BEAR (carry, mothers bear children/ bear with me = is correct; bare with me = incorrect;

9. AMUSE (entertain); don't confuse with BEMUSE (confuse someone);

10. Between you and I = incorrect. Say Between you and me.

11. BORROW is to lend an article from someone/ LEND or LOAN is to provide an item to someone;

12. CEMENT (grey powder); don't use the word CONCRETE (combination of cement, water, sand and gravel) as a synonym;

13. You CLENCH a fist or teeth; CLINCH is with regard to a deal or a victory;

14. CONTINUAL (repeated action) should not be confused with CONTINUOUS which refers to actions which are uninterrupted, not necessarily repeated.

15. CONCERTED EFFORT can never be a singular activity ie. an effort down by one person - concerted effort is to work 'in concert' and together with others.

BASICALLY is a weak word - rather replace it with Fundamentally OR At heart.

Word of the day: MAUDLIN – foolish, tipsy.

Character flaw # DEPENDANT: unable to exist, sustain oneself, act appropriately or normally without the assistance or direction of another