Thursday, March 29, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #3: Spelling Peeves


I admit it: I was born with an internal editor who stumbles over misspelled words and blatant grammatical errors. Here are my top spelling peeves, those frequently misspelled words that tend to annoy me and trip me up, whether reading a book, blog, or message board:

1. A lot is two words, not one.
2. There is no "a" in definite. Honest.
3. If in a quandary, you may face a dilemma. Note the order of vowels and number of ems.
4. A situation may be weird, not wierd.
5. It might also be ridiculous--note, no "e."
6. Or perhaps it is hilarious--only one el.
7. It is better to give than to receive--remember what you learned in grade school? "I" before"e" except after "c"...
8. One might sit in judgment--but only without an "e."
9. You acknowledge a person or situation, not awknowledge him/it.
10. When someone has attained success in something, you offer them congratulations--with a "T"--not congradulations. This one especially tends to crop up around this time of year, and I blame it entirely on Hallmark.
11. You are grateful for something or someone, not greatful. The latter is not a word.
12. If a chill travels up your spine, it might cause you to shudder, not shutter. A shutter is a moveable window covering that can be pulled over a window to protect the glass during a storm (though many modern buildings often use fake shutters as external decoration).
13. Voila! is an interjection "used to call attention to or express satisfaction with a thing shown or accomplished." (Dictionary.com) The definition of Viola is: a) An instrument with four strings, similar to a violin but with a deeper tone b) a small purplish flower; a pansy c) a woman's name d) an organ stop. (Dictionary.com)


Your turn! What's your spelling pet peeve?


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! I am, apparently, still Mr. Linky challenged (like I want to risk losing this post a second time!), so just leave your name in the comment section and I will add you to the list.

Other Thursday Thirteeners:
16. Ember Case 17. Crystal 18. Margo 19. Debora 20. Jennah
21. Lara Rose 22. Jenn 23. Leesie 24. MG Braden
27. Eva Gale 28. Dayna


26 comments:

P. Robinson said...

Hmmm, wow. I think I should back away from this post. I see a few I am definitely guilty of. (did I spell that one right? gosh I hope so) I might have to send you m next story to edit girl!

Two Voices Publishing said...

I'm a terrible speller. My peeve is that I can't spell priviledge no matter how hard I try, and I used to have a macro to spell because, because I always got it wrong!

http://bernadettegardner2.blogspot.com/

Gina Ardito aka Katherine Brandon said...

LIGHTNING is what flashes in the sky. "Lightening" happens when you diet successfully.

That one always makes me CRAZY!!!!

Anonymous said...

LOL - I'm guessing seeing my frequent use of "thru" in my first drafts would drive you over the edge >G<

Rhonda Helms said...

Nice little grammar lesson (oh, and don't forget--grammar doesn't have an "e" in it...that's another one I see all the time!)

:D

Rhonda
http://rhondastapleton.authorsabode.com

Elle Fredrix said...

Number one! I cannot believe how many people use alot instead of a lot.

Spelling is not my thing, I'll admit. I have the biggest problem with ei. And that old saying I before E except after C is bull. Can we say FREIGHT??

Crystal Jordan said...

Irregardless. Not a word people! It's JUST regardless. Gah! I hate that one.

Jana said...

Dang! It must be TORTURE to read my blog some days! ROFLOL

Some of those I was nodding and agreeing with, having learned to spell them correctly the hard way...ie. humiliation in some way. Some of them I was looking at and thinking, "I KNOW I do that sometimes." LOL

Jennifer McKenzie said...

How about "I do that TOO" not "to". THAT one trips me up every time.

And receive. "i before e except after c". I chant that sooooo many times when I'm writing.

R.G. ALEXANDER said...

Irregardless, I may have misunderestimated my writing abilities. Where's that Burger King application?
LOL-great-and yet intimidating-list.

Em said...

1 and 10 drive ME CRAZY!!!

Although I won't mention how many others on the list I'm guilty of. Ooops.

Unknown said...

I hate to read or crit something where someone spells loser as looser or uses the incorrect their/there/they're or to/too/two. Dang there's a lot that bothers me...too much to list.

Tempest Knight said...

Great list! Hehehe!

Margo Lukas said...

Okay, you scare me a little. I'm grammer challanged, so very little annoys me.

Acroynms (sp? hee hee) are a bit of a pain. I have to stop and figure out what they mean.

Emma Wayne Porter said...

*speechless*

For the first time in my life, I find myself afraid to comment on someone's blog LOL

*pounds spellcheck button*

Nonny Blackthorne said...

*cough*

"Also, especially British, judgement."
from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/judgement

If you do a Google search for "judgement spelling," it will come up with several sources that state while "judgment" is the preferred US spelling, "judgement" is used in the UK and other countries.

And yes, it could be argued that if one writes "judgement," one should also write "colour" -- but I wouldn't classify them as spelling mistakes if usage is consistent.

Heather said...

Good one, Rhonda (grammar, no e)!

Jana~ LOL, it's all good. Honest. ;)

Emma~ Nah, no reason to fear commenting.

Margo~ No reason to be scared, really. I'm harmless. Well...at least most days. Hehe.

Anonymous said...

I am sure I am guilty of some of these, especially on forums and IMs and such. The two words that constantly trip me up are recommend and occasionally. (I just spelled the second one wrong -- thank goodness for spell check.) I seem to have a hard time with some double consonants.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my editor side thanks you for this. :)

All right. Not alright. it's two words. Stop making it one. grrr.

And if I see one more person use an apostrophe before the s when making a word plural, I may have to hurt someone. *grin*

Kate Willoughby said...

Affect and effect. Affect is the verb. Effect is the result of something.

I know I have a TON more spelling peeves, but that's all I can come up with right now.

Kate Willoughby said...

Oh, forgot to leave my address!

http://katewilloughby.blogspot.com/

Happy TT!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I have two. Ready?

Something isn't hugh. It's hugE.

And heroin is something you snort or shoot into your arm. It's not a woman who saves the day. I actually had to fail a student once because he couldn't get that e on the end.

Speaking of e on the end, breath/breathe. Do I need to go there?

Happy TT. I'm glad you stopped by West of Mars; hope you'll do so again. (search my archives for Chelle and you'll find two rants on the subject of typos)

Eva Gale said...

Ha! I think I made just about every one. When I edit, I catch them most of the time, but not on forums or chats!

Shari said...

Wonderful list! BTW, Blogger wouldn't let me use the TT template either, so I just caved and did it plain and simple.

Heather said...

Shari~ Glad it's not just me Blogger didn't like! ;)

Susan, Kate and Lara~ More good ones! Thanks for stopping by.

Anonymous said...

gotten - I hate it. Absolutely hate it. But I see it everywhere these days. I don't understand because forever I have been told it was a no no. Well except in this sentence, I think: "ill-gotten gains".