More grammar pet peeves

In previous posts, I addressed random capitalization and the incorrect use of a possessive apostrophe to denote a plural. I enjoyed the fun reaction I got from readers, so here I go again with the grammar thing.

I spend a lot of time checking out various online forums for writers, especially those for aspiring or independently published authors, and sometimes I scan the websites of those who regularly contribute to the discussions. I like to see what people are talking about with regard to writing, publishing, and marketing their books, and I'm always looking for a good read!

Unfortunately, however, I'm regularly disappointed by the number of grammatical errors I see.

If your writing is sloppy in these very public arenas, it makes me think that your writing is also sloppy in your book. As a result, I don't want to read your book, and you've lost a possible sale. Here are some other common grammar issues/errors that drive me nuts:

To vs. too
Their vs. there vs. they're
You're vs. your
It's vs. its
I.e. vs. e.g. (i.e. means "that is," and e.g. means "for example")
Hyphens after adverbs (e.g. "highly-motivated" is incorrect)
We're vs. were
Who vs. that vs. which
Affect vs. effect
Periods outside quotations marks (e.g. "I like you". is incorrect)

You may be surprised at my list because the usages are quite basic, but I see these errors a lot. I mean a LOT. It may be nothing more than simple carelessness on the writer's part, but if I don't know that writer, I think otherwise. I think, "This person doesn't know how to write." And in a digital world where you can reach thousands of people with a single post, and where you're competing with millions of other writers to grab the attention of readers, it's important to make the right impression every time you put something out into cyberspace.

-Maria

Maria Murnane writes romantic comedies and provides consulting services on book publishing and marketing. Learn more at www.mariamurnane.com.

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Comment by Nissi Mutale on May 15, 2012 at 2:48am: Oh gosh! Grammar is the thorn in my side...

Comment by Charlene Boardman on May 12, 2012 at 7:00am: @Deborah - oh good heavens! See what I mean! English lessons are too far away now! I'll have to brush up on them all! :)

Comment by Deborah Armstrong on May 12, 2012 at 6:40am: @Charlene - I have to argue with you on your use of its and it's. It's is the contraction form of it is or it has. Its is the possessive. There is no apostrophe used to make the possessive.

So many times I receive junk mail and the opening line is, "Your invited.." Are there no proof readers anymore, especially in the printing business?

Comment by Charlene Boardman on May 12, 2012 at 5:11am: Very important! It is a pet peeve of mine. Yet, I know, I make mistakes too! Mine is It's vs. its. I know that it's is correct if the thing being spoken of belongs to someone - for example Joe's Blog. Or it's would be correct if used to shorten it is - for example it's mine. But after that ...!

Comment by Tedra DeSue on February 19, 2012 at 3:11pm: "Your vs. you're." Such a word misuse did one person in. She said she was the victim of numerous harassing and threatening letters from some unknown person. She showed the letters to her friends. In one letter, it stated, "your dead..." One of her friends remembered a birthday card the woman had given her and it stated, "Your a wonderful friend," (instead of you're). The woman, claiming to be the victim of harassment, was busted because of her incorrect use of your vs. you're. She was sending the letters to herself for attention! She may not have been caught had it not been for not using the words correctly...

Comment by RYCJ on January 24, 2012 at 6:30pm: I know... (@Regina). Think I'll remember this one from here on out, though... at least for the most important one I use more frequently...

Comment by Regina Y. Swint on January 24, 2012 at 6:05pm: To this day, I still have trouble with periods inside of or outside of quotation marks. For the most part, I place the period on the inside, but I have to work on understanding which one is correct and under what circumstances. I'm pretty good at using the rest of these correctly, except for may the i.e. and e.g., once in a while. :)

Comment by Maria Murnane on January 23, 2012 at 11:50am: @Gili yep I was talking about dialogue. :)

Comment by Liz Carmichael on January 22, 2012 at 6:20pm: @Gili... That's correct :)

And my thanks to everyone for not pointing out my "tow" for "two" typo.

Comment by Virginia Llorca on January 22, 2012 at 1:52pm: @Gil. I think that is right.

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