Is My Slip Showing? Errors in Hubs
One of the advantages of communicating by writing is that you have time to form your thoughts, and the ability to review, edit and make changes before you press the send or publish button. You may even have the advantage of spell check and grammar check features of the program you are using.
Unfortunately, no program is going to be able to catch all the mistakes you can make. Nor can I catch all my mistakes when I read through my work once. I have found that when I go back to read one of my old hubs or anything else I have written, I can always find an error, or find a way I can make my writing better.
Eventually though, instead of being caught up with the fear that I may have let an error slip, I have to publish. I have been told that this might even be helpful - that some software manufacturers will issue software knowing there are mistakes and enhancements that can be made. This gives them a chance to issue a new and improved, revised edition.
Mistakes in Online Writing
I have read many articles, including my own, that have glaring mistakes in them. I understand my errors - I am new to online writing, and eager to get articles out there. When I write as a ghostwriter, I want to write quickly to get as much pay as I can. When I write here on HubPages, I try to make sure that my work is quality work, but sometimes when want to meet the challenge I have set out for myself, I may have to skip some steps in the editing process.
Even professionals make mistakes, because they too are human. And as an amateur, I have to allow myself to make mistakes. I think the important thing, is that I do not beat myself up for my mistakes. I correct them, and try to make sure I don't make that mistake in the future. There is no point in wasting time feeling bad.
What Does "Is My Slip Showing?" Mean?
In an earlier time period, women used to wear dresses. They wore slips underneath the dresses so the shape of their legs wouldn't show through when the sun was shining. They could be either full slips, which had straps over the shoulders, or half slips which had elastic around the waist.
Sometimes if the elastic was getting old on the half slips, the slip would hang down a little, and you would be able to see it peeking through below the dress. People debated whether to tell the woman that her slip was showing. Sometimes they said "Is my slip showing?" to get people's attention from their friends, so she could discreetly fix it. Hence the term, "is my slip showing?"
What to Do if you Find a Mistake
When you find a mistake in someone's article, there are several things you can do.
If the errors are numerous and irritating to you, you might want to simply move on and try not to read that person's hubs.
If you can read past the errors and understand the message, you might want to ignore the error and get the value of the content.
Another option is to let the author know of the mistake. This helps the author because she may learn something about a grammar fact she may not have known or may have forgotten. She can also correct a typo before anyone else reads the article and judges her by it. If you choose this method, it is very important that the spirit of your message is very clear. Many people are very sensitive, and if all you ever tell someone is what they did wrong, then you are really being a bully.
Do I Want to Know if My Slip is Showing?
One day I was waiting in line at a bank, and I felt some hands on the back of my neck. Apparently, the tag on my shirt was showing, and the lady in line behind me felt the need to correct it. I was grateful that she helped me. I would rather have a quick embarrassment with her, and not have the tag sticking out all day.
Do I want to know if slip is showing in my online writing? I am not sure how to answer that question. Originally, when I was thinking of writing this hub, I would definitely have said yes. I want to correct my errors so that no one else sees them.
But now I am worried that many of my hubs have these little nits. I am afraid if I say yes, each of my hub posts will have a comment that shows something I have done wrong. I know I want to go back to review my hubs and correct them on my own.
But in the meantime, yes I want to know, but be nice, because I am not done editing, and because I am one of those sensitive people. Be sure that when you are telling me what I am doing wrong, you also tell me what I am doing right.
And if I have written a comment to let you know of an error, know that it is only done because I want to read more of your writing, and want to help you.
Do You Want to Know About Your Writing Errors?
Do you want to be told when there are errors in your hub?
© 2011 Shasta Matova
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Comments: "Is My Slip Showing? Errors in Hubs"
- Author
Thank you Levertis Steele for your input. I think that when someone does this sort of behavior she has an inferiority complex and is trying to put others down so she can feel better about herself. Very sad. I find that the issue that people use to bring others down is often the one that they themselves are also lacking, so it is like they is beating themselves up by beating the others up.
- Author
Thank you moonlake for your comment and insight. I read in some forums that some people did not want corrections from people who weren't "qualified" to do it, but I think that anyone can spot a mistake. If I don't agree with the correction, I don't have to make it. Every time I read any of my writings, there is always something I change because I think I can make it better. Unfortunately, sometimes I make mistakes in the correction. I hate it when I do that. You write very well, and I wouldn't worry about those people with attitudes. I can't imagine someone calling you names for a typo. It is not their hub! They must have serious anger issues. I am sorry you had to deal with that.
- Author
Thank you RTAlloni, we all make mistakes, and if they are not corrected, we will continue to perpetuate them. I had an issue with using it's instead of its for the longest time. Even though I had learned the correct way a long time ago, somehow I got them mixed up again. Now I am more careful when using those words. It did make me feel stupid, because I had been doing it wrong for so long. I do wish someone had pointed it out earlier so I could have corrected it earlier.
- Author
Thank you Glimmer Twin Fan for your comment and input. Errors are irksome, especially when someone else makes them because it seems like such an easy fix. I find it much harder to find my own errors, but then again I am not looking at my own work fresh. I too appreciate knowing about the errors as long as the person pointing out the errors does it in a polite and gentle way.
- Author
Thank you for the comment and share Mary. I think it is great that you have a friend who will show you the errors. It shows she has the tact and you have the grace to handle constructive criticisms.
Moonlake, I think Hubpages wants hubbers to offer friendly help-notes after reading hubber's work. I thought that was what "hopping hubs" was all about. Many people do not like to be corrected, and many more do not know how to help others without insulting them. When a hubber calls another "dumb idiot" because of an error, that name caller has some serious issues.
Recently, I read a post from a person who said some very insulting things to hubbers for making various errors. She praised herself while condemning others. I read a couple of her hubs. They were actually good, but they had numerous errors. A person who makes errors is not dumb. Anyone can do it.
I can reread my hubs and still make mistakes. I don't mind being told when it's done in private by email than I'm good with that. I see mistakes on hubs all the time but I would never correct anyone because I don't think I'm the person to do it. My grammar is not great I write the way I talk and lots of people don't like that. I have gotten some nasty comments not only correcting my grammar or spelling but calling me names at the same time. I can't believe someone hates that much to do that. Great hub voted up and sharing.
While reading a good hub on using an apostrophe I remembered the feeling of "How blind/stupid can I be in proofing my own work?" when I've found apostrophe (and other) errors in it after publishing. I voted for number your second choice because I do want to know, even if someone can't be kind in their way of telling me about it. However, we should all strive to be more and more kind to each other. Being generous in our responses, as well as in our responses to responses, helps us learn and grow as individuals while improving the community.
I won't do it here on hubpages because people write the way they want to write, but typos drive me bonkers, especially in business signs or brochures. That being said, I am also sure that many of my hubs have mistakes and typos in them, so I appreciate it when someone tells me. Wish I had someone who would email me to let me know when they saw something that needed to be fixed. Good hub!
funny thing....I can proof my work over and over and still miss boo-boos. I have a dear friend and follower who will email me as soon as she spots an error in spelling, grammar or anything. I appreciate that.
Great Hub. I vote it UP, etc. and will share all over.
- Author
Thanks onegreenparachute for your comment. We can only become better writers when people point our our errors and guide us to a better way. And hopefully if I can learn from the mistakes in one hub, the rest of my hubs will also be better for it.
I have just gone back and edited a few sentences. Thanks for reminding me and for helping us understand we are all in this together!
- Author
Thank you alocsin. I think a private message is the best way as well. And I try to mention good things about the hub as well as the error.
I think gently telling the person via a private message is the best way to go. I like it when people help me improve my writing. Voting this Up and Useful.
- Author
Thank you AEVans. I too appreciate knowing about things that can be corrected.
I don't mind when someone tells me my slip is showing. I appreciate when others find an error in my work. This is insightful information and one that I will bookmark. Thumbs up! :)
- Author
That's true Donna. We do have to take the harshness of the written word. I had a conversation with someone yesterday that was hurt by something that was said in person, so it isn't just the written word. I've herd about the sandwich method - where you state a positive trait, then the criticism, then another positive. At least that way they know that the whole article is good - there is just a little nit.
Great article! It is hard to know the best approach to take as you don't want to hurt or offend anyone. The printed word can come across as harsher than the spoken word as there are no visual cues or body language to accompany the message.
- Author
Thank you fpherj48. That is so sweet of you to say. I think if I read something I wrote 100 times, making corrections each time, I would still find something to fix the 101th time. Probably nobody else would notice.
Thanks livelearnteach - that is a great idea, it would certainly fix typos and duplicate words and such.
I have to write letters, and notes on a regular basis at my job. I tend to read the whole thing backwards bottom to top one sentence at a time. It ends up breaking my brain from filling in the blanks, and I am able to catch my mistakes. Just wanted to throw that out there in case it helps anyone :-)
MT....you may call yourself an "amateur," but from what I've read....you're a pretty damned talented one! I like this hub especially because, as Kim mentioned a "red penner"...I too am one. And I use most of my red ink on my own hubs! Interesting fact: when I'm asked to screen someone's hub for any and all errors, I can pick up in an instant, just scanning once. With my own, I must read them over slowly 3 or 4 times.....& as you say, probably STILL miss something. I'm still trying to fathom 100 hubs in 30 days.....unbeleiveable.
- Author
Thanks smarter4ever. I have a feeling that all of us want to avoid long-term embarrassment but want to be told in the gentlest way possible about our errors.
You and everyone else; we are all in the same boat. I really like this, and feel exactly the same way you do. Kudos to you for writing it!
- Author
Thanks Kim. I was worried that a hub about mistakes might make any mistakes more glaring!
I think I may run around with my slip hanging out a lot. :) I can read, reread but still not catch my mistakes. Fortunately, I have a "red-penner" friend who has NO problem pointing them out when she sees them. I so appreciate it being her versus someone else who might not be so, um, nice about it.
By the way, I didn't notice any mistakes in this hub. But then again, I'm not sure I'm very reliable. :)
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