Writing 101: U Prolly Shd C This

Recently, I received an email message from a fellow writer.  I was shocked to find that she had used prolly in lieu of probably.  When I accused her of single-handedly trying to wreck the language we both love, she sheepishly confessed that she’s picked up some bad habits while texting.

It only takes a glance at a social network site to find intelligent, well-educated people substituting the shorthand found in texting for regular language.  And the younger generation deliberately misspells, believing somehow that this is cool.

When they’re looking for a job, it will be about as cool as a mullet or Milli Vanilli, but by then, it may B 2 L8.

While texting mistakes have caused a portion of the decline of good spelling because they are fun or hip, the old-fashioned mistakes still occur, as well.  And your emailed professional messages need to be just as correct as a formal letter.

Like it or not, the people with whom you communicate professionally will form an opinion based on the written word they receive from you.  And unless you want your boss or a client to think you’ll prolly be at a gr8 upcoming seminar l8r this week, spellcheck is your friend.

Your online dictionary is an even more dependable ally.  Here are a few online references to add to your favorites:

www.merriam-webster.com This source puts the Web in Webster.

www.dictionary.reference.com Another excellent traditional dictionary. You’ll also find its sister, the thesaurus, available at www.thesaurus.reference.com

www.thefreedictionary.com This source not only provides an excellent dictionary, but has a spoken feature that will assist you in pronouncing an unfamiliar word when you have a speech to prepare.

Test your knowledge!  Come on – it’ll be fun.
If you haven’t taken a spelling test since grade school, here’s one I found online.  It includes 25 of the most frequently misspelled words.

Choose spelling (a) or (b) from each of the following, and write your answers down.

(a) absorbtion (b) absorption
The act or process of absorbing something; occupying the full attention or interest.

(a) accidentally (b) accidently
Happening unexpectedly or by chance.

(a) alterior (b) ulterior
Lying beyond what is evident; deliberately and deceptively concealed.

(a) Arctic (b) Artic
Relating to the North Pole or the region near it.

(a) asterick (b) asterisk
The character * used as a reference mark in printing.

(a) basically (b) basicly
At a basic level or in a basic manner.

(a) congradulations (b) congratulations
Acknowledging someone’s achievements or good fortune.

(a) definate (b) definite
Certain, clearly defined, having distinct limits.

(a) disasterous (b) disastrous
Terrible, calamitous.

(a) embarass (b) embarrass
To cause someone to feel self-conscious or ill at ease.

(a) epitome (b) epitomy
A perfect example of a class or type.

(a) grammar (b) grammer
The systematic study and description of a language.

(a) grievious (b) grievous
Serious, grave, causing pain or anguish.

(a) marshmallow (b) marshmellow
A sweet white confection.

(a) mathematics (b) mathmatics
The science of numbers and their operations.

(a) murmer (b) murmur
A low indistinct sound; an abnormal sound of the heart.

(a) parliament (b) parliment
A legislative body or a formal conference for the discussion of public affairs.

(a) perogative (b) prerogative
A right or privilege held by a person or group.

(a) possible (b) possable
Within the limits of ability.

(a) priviledge (b) privilege
A right or immunity granted as a benefit or favor.

(a) recommend (b) recomend
Endorse as fit or worthy.

(a) sacreligious (b) sacrilegious
Irreverence toward a hallowed person, place, or thing.

(a) tenative (b) tentative
Not fully worked out or agreed on.

(a) tradegy (b) tragedy
A disastrous event.

(a) verbage (b) verbiage
Wordiness.

Now check your answers here:
http://grammar.about.com/od/spelling/a/25misspelledwords_2.htm

I hope you aced it.  If not, remember the spellchecker, your online dictionary, and dust off your Scrabble board to make it more fun.

C U L8R!

About the author
As Chief Copywriter at HF Direct, Carla Martin-Wood serves as grammar police, human spellchecker, and poet-in-residence.  She’s enjoyed influencing people since early childhood, and finds that skill invaluable when writing persuasive advertising copy. Carla takes pride in her ability to inform, convince, and entertain the target audience, as she creates compelling copy for HF Direct clients.
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