with your bad writing habits
Published on July 26, 2004 By citahellion In Blogging
As I mentioned in a previous article, I am nitpicky by nature. I hate to see language used improperly. For the most part I suppress this instinct when on-line, but there are a few things that always get a reaction from me. Here are a few more of them....

Copywrite vs. copyright, or "use the right right, writers!"

"Copywrite" is a rarely-used verb that means "to write copy". Used correctly, you will most commonly see this in noun form as someone's job title: "I am a copywriter." This means that they create the text that goes in an advertisement.
"Copyright" is a noun meaning "the legal authority to create reproductions", or, phrased more obviously, "the right to make copies". (It can also be used as a verb or an adjective, but it still has to do with the right to make copies.)
Just about every time I've seen people use the word "copywrite," they were wrong.
Easy rule: unless you are talking about the process of creating advertisements, use "copyright."

Affect vs. effect, or "Don't Verb That Noun!"

"Affect" is a verb. When you want to make a mark on something, you want to affect it.
"Effect" is a noun. When you want to know whether you've made a mark on something, you want to know what effect you've had.
There is one exception common enough to be worth mentioning for "effect:" when you want to cause something to happen, "effect" can be the correct verb, thus:
"I want to effect a change in the way people write."
Just to be completely honest, there are also cases where "Affect" can be used as a noun. These, however, are very few and far between.
Easy rule: "Affect for Action, Effect for End-result."

Under-apostrophizers, or "Dont abdicate your responsibility"

Okay, I talked about improper use of apostrophes a little bit before. Some people are apparently so scared of using them incorrectly that they don't use them at all, even when they are clearly called for. Unfortunately, leaving the apostrophe out of a contraction very often leaves you with a different word.
I'd is not the same as Id.
I'll is not the same as Ill.
Can't is not the same as Cant.
Won't is not the same as Wont.
If you write "Id like to go, but I cant." then you have just said that one part of your brain desires travel, but you are busy leaning to one side (or possibly speaking in a jargony or sing-song manner). This is probably not what you intended to say.
There's no easy rule for this one, unfortunately; just a plea for writers to put forth the necessary effort to apostrophize correctly.

Ellipsis abuse, or "Not 5, not 12, just 3!"

The ellipsis, used to mark a pause or to indicate that material was elided, is one of the most abused constructs in online writing. I blame this on lazy people relying on the typematic effect of computer keyboards. Back when you had a manual typewriter, you didn't hit that period any more than you had to. Now it's too easy to just hold the key down and let the dots flow: "................................." But that's the WRONG thing to do! An ellipsis consists of EXACTLY THREE PERIODS: "..." No less, no more. The only use for "..................................." is to provide a line across the page in a menu or other tabular listing that you are setting without the benefit of HTML.
Correct usage: "I said no... then I smacked him."
Incorrect usage: "I don't know what to do................................................................Maybe I'll take a nap."
Now, having said that, occasionally you may use an ellipsis at the end of a sentence. If you do that, it IS CORRECT to include a period at the end of the sentence, directly after the ellipsis. While this may APPEAR to be 4 periods in a row, really it is an ellipsis and a period.
Correct usage: "Their voices faded out as they meandered off into the distance...."
Don't be lazy and lean on the period key. You don't know how many periods you'll get that way. Do it right.
Easy Rule: There are 3 periods in any ellipsis. It's just that simple.

Does anyone else see improper writing habits that make them want to yell at the screen?

Comments
on Jul 26, 2004
I don't know about writing, but one thing that does drive me insane is talking. Specifically the pronunciation of the letter H. So many people pronounce it hach instead of ach (sorry the pronunciation symbol for the long a sound did not copy.) Pedantic...hell yes.
on Jul 26, 2004
It's normally spelled out as "aitch," I believe. Pronouncing it "haitch" is generally an Australian or British phenomenon.
on Jul 26, 2004

Poor spelling in general drives me crazy as well as improper use (or no use at all) of apostrophe's.


Capitalizing words that don't require capitalization irks me, as does excessive and unneccessary comma usage.  People who use long, exotic words when your common or garden ones would have sufficed make me want to scream...it's as if they're trying to impress us all with their extraordinary knowledge of the dictionary and english language or something.  Arrrggghhhh!!!  Drives me batty.


(Did you notice I put the correct amount of periods in that ellipsis?  Thought I'd try and placate you somewhat )

on Jul 27, 2004
Speaking of "improper use... of apostrophe's [sic]"....

I am occasionally guilty of breaking out the polysyllabic vocabulary when simple words were available and obvious. Sometimes I rationalize it, sometimes I edit.
on Jul 27, 2004
It's normally spelled out as "aitch,"


That all depends on what dictionary you are using ............................................................................. just to annoy you.
on Jul 27, 2004

"improper use... of apostrophe's [sic]"....


ahahah...you caught it! ahahaha!


 

on Jul 27, 2004
I have to say that I don't pronounce the "h" in "haitch", and just say "aitch", so pronouncing the "h" is not necessarily a British thing! I know I am guilty of grammar and spelling errors, but the really obvious ones do drive me up the wall (with exception to dyslexics). I feel mean when I pick up on it with people, but quite often people seem glad that I do, and then will ask me for spellings after that!

Aria
on Jul 28, 2004
That all depends on what dictionary you are using


Well, if diacritical marks aren't available, "aitch" is the most normal spelling you can give it.

ahahah...you caught it!


I have done work on the side as a proofreader...

I feel mean when I pick up on it with people, but quite often people seem glad that I do, and then will ask me for spellings after that!


A common response that I've gotten (online, anyway) is "oh, people will know what I mean." And if someone feels that way, then my (generally silent) response is "Yes, but they won't care about it so much because you'll look stupid when you present it."

on Jul 28, 2004
Well, if diacritical marks aren't available, "aitch" is the most normal spelling you can give it


I have no problem with that, I was using dictionary.com.
on Jul 28, 2004
*gulp*

I am suddenly overwhelmed by guilt. My mother always told me that you will be judged on your ability to comunicate. (She is ver particular about grammar, spelling and punctuation.) I tend to let my thoughts pour out onto the typewriter....um, keyboard, and realize my fingers cannot keep up with the words in my head. Therefore, I tend to skimp on grammar and most of all, spelling.

Thank you for the guilt trip. I'll try to do better.....until I get stuck on a runaway train of thought again......
on Jul 28, 2004
I am guilty of exaggerated ellipses. Recently I've tried to cut them down to standard after the subject came about on another website community.

I hate when my sister answers the phone, the caller asks for her, and she says "This is her." I don't even know why it's supposed to be "This is she," but everytime she is asked for, she says it and I want to hit her in the face several times.
on Jul 28, 2004
People also have a problem with "accept" and "except". That one annoys me the most.
on Jul 29, 2004
she says it and I want to hit her in the face several times.


Now that's a serious linguaphile.
on Jul 29, 2004
lifehappens,

By all means let your thoughts pour out straight from your head to your fingertips. Just remember that when you're done with your pouring, you need to go back and clean up all the little extra drips and drops that landed in the wrong place before you hit "save" or "post".

apdelong,
I agree, that would bother me too. That is what's known as a "subject complement", a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb (such as "is") and explains or describes the subject. As such it is supposed to be in the subjective case.

Joseph,
Ooh, yeah, I hate that too. Maybe I'll remember to include that in part 3.