What spelling or grammar errors took you a long time to learn?

1. 91

   Rochelle Frankposted 9 years ago

   What spelling or grammar errors took you a long time to learn?
   
   I can't believe I graduated from college without knowing the rules for "its and it's" -- a newspaper editor had to teach me.
   My spelling bugaboo was "recommend". I always thought it had two c's and one m. I learned the truth while serving on a county grand jury when we had to make "recommendations" in our final report, where I was the recommended writer.

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2. 91

   RachaelLeflerposted 9 years ago

   I've also had issues with the correct "its", I was told in 2nd grade but I'm always using it incorrectly, it seems. "Recommend" is a tough one for me, as well.

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3. 63

   PhoenixVposted 9 years ago

   I know the obvious difference between "their and there" but my typy finger still hasn't figured out the difference.

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4. 85

   CassandraCaeposted 9 years ago

   Colons and semi Colons.  I also use their more often than I should because it's just so much fun to type.   The way it rolls out of the fingers,  but I now the difference between the different versions.

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   1. 83

      Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      colons not, but semicolons. Where to use semicolons? and frequency of commas?

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5. 89

   savvydatingposted 9 years ago

   Commas. I still have to edit my articles for commas placed randomly here and there.

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   1. 83

      Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, it is a tedious exercise.

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6. 71

   Elsie Hagleyposted 9 years ago

   I'm still not sure of these two words: were and where when using them in a sentence.

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   1. 83

      Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      If you don't mind it, may I clarify? "Were' is used as past tense for 'are'. For example, they "were" my friends inplace of  "these are my friends".
      Where is used to ask 'where' are my friends?
      Where refers to a question whereas "were" to presence

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   2. 71

      Elsie Hagleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Venkatachari. I didn't know that, long time ago since I went to school. Have copied this so next time I use those words I will take note and use the correct word. Appreciated.

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7. 83

   Venkatachari Mposted 9 years ago

   Very interesting question. I think most of us have some or other problem.
   It's across for me in spelling. I always type accross and then when error shows, I correct it to single c. I think it is because, we put some weight while spelling the word on ' c'. That weight needs two 'c's.
   Coming to grammar, I even now do not know when to use semicolon. It is a very great problem for me when I indulge in lengthy compound sentences. I hope anybody may guide me.

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   1. 83

      Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      One more spelling mistakes, that I often commit, I just located it. I every time spell "preperation" instead of preparation. The 'e' and 'a' confusion while spelling it.

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8. 60

   Jessica Breeposted 9 years ago

   I could never spell definitely when I was younger and still some this struggle with it now when I'm tired!!

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9. 91

   Rochelle Frankposted 9 years ago

   To UnnamedHerald-- I think I accidentally deleted your comment while trying to reply:
   For me, I think of "affect", beginning with "a", as the Action, used as a verb. (ie. Bad nutrition can affect your health.)
   
   and effect, beginning with "e", is the End result, a noun. (ie. His bad diet had a detrimental effect on his health.)

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   1. 71

      Elsie Hagleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for that great answer, those two words, I'm having trouble with.
      Another one to add to my list of words that I'm having trouble with.

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   2. 91

      UnnamedHaraldposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks a lot for your answer! It may just stick this time! I used to have trouble with "it's" vs "its" regarding possession, but now I just remember that the possessive "its", as far as I'm concerned, is an exception to the apostrophe rule.

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   3. 83

      Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That's true. It's a game of simple 'a' and 'e' letters with so varied meaning.

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