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Errors to avoid when writing a thesis

Some writing mistakes are extremely common and sometimes observed in both printed material an internet-based. This site details probably the most common and simply avoidable writing mistakes. By understanding how to recognise such errors you are able to enhance your ability as a copywriter and steer clear of common writing mistakes later on.

It’s also wise to read our Spelling. Punctuation and Grammar pages to assist knowing about it from the writing process which help you avoid other mistakes.

Remember mistakes on paper could be embarrassing and pricey – can you purchase from a business whose marketing material was peppered with common errors that might have been easily prevented?

Take a moment to familiarise yourself using the mistakes listed in this article and always get someone else to check on your writing prior to it being printed – the most confident authors get some things wrong sumtimes!

Affect / Effect

Affect is really a verb, for instance “Sometimes, the elements affects my mood. ”
Effect is really a noun, for instance “The effect of weather on frozen treats sales is extensively recorded. ”

By thinking when it comes to “the result ” you are able to usually see whether to make use of affect or effect since “the” won’t work before a verb.

To increase the confusion, keep in mind that many people could use “effect” like a verb (for instance “Contractors aim to effect funds with strikers”) however this usage is slightly archaic and many frequently utilized in legal writing.

Apostrophes

Apostrophes strike fear in to the heart of numerous. However by learning a couple of simple rules, and also the inevitable exceptions, you will be able to use apostrophes effortlessly.

The apostrophe can be used for any purpose, with the idea to indicate a possession (implying possession) or perhaps a contraction (instead of other letters).

Errors to avoid when writing a thesis Contraction Where

Since its use to point a contraction is easiest, we’ll cope with this primary.

Where a number of letters happen to be dropped, an apostrophe can be used like a substitute:

It’s = it’s
We’re = we’re
Doesn’t = Doesn’t
From the clock = o’clock

Apostrophes will also be accustomed to indicate possession:

Matthew’s vehicle
The player’s field (one field of one player)

When the subject (the player or Matthew above) includes a name ending by having an s, then there’s an option either to stick to the formal rule (“The Johnson’s house”) in order to drop the ultimate ‘s’ (hence “The Johnson’ house”). The selection is dependent on style however the important factor will be consistent.

When the subject is plural, the apostrophe is positioned following the s:

The teachers’ staff room
The maqui berry farmers’ fields (multiple fields of multiple maqui berry farmers)

Note when the term has already been plural, for instance children or people, you would then write children’s or people’s.

When the word is really a plural then don’t use an apostrophe (for instance kittens or apostrophes). Placing an apostrophe prior to the final s is globally considered incorrect and generally known as the “greengrocer’s apostrophe” (or “greengrocers’ apostrophe” if talking about several greengrocer).

Errors to avoid when writing a thesis The idea that theirs needs

You will find possible exceptions to those rule is that if the term comprises just one letter, several or abbreviation in which the simple inclusion of an s might cause confusion. Hence:

There’s two t’s in Matthew.

To create “There’s two ts in Matthew” may confuse the readers though it may be grammatically correct. Alternatively, you can rephrase this as “There’s two “t”s in Matthew”.

However, the current convention would be to stay away from apostrophes in plurals whenever we can even just in the plural of figures and abbreviations.

For instance, “I keep buying DVDs” and “He loves 80s music” is more suitable to adding an apostrophe.

Might have / Must have / Might have

Despite the fact that we may pronounce “could’ve” (a contraction of “might have”) as “could of” this really is incorrect. Always employ might have / must have / might have.

It’s / Its

It’s is really a contraction of two words: it’s or it’s.
Its is possessive, like hers, his, and whose.

The confusion between it’s and it is occurs because on just about any other word ‘s (apostrophe + s) signifies possession, so British loudspeakers naturally desire to use it’s to mean something owned by it.

But ‘it’s ‘ is just used when it’s a contraction of ‘it is ‘ or ‘it has ‘.

If you’re doubtful regarding which version to make use of, try replacing the term with it’s or it’s. If the still scans properly then utilize it’s, otherwise, use its.

There / Their / They’re

There describes a location or idea. A good example of its use talking about place is “Look there!” A good example of its use talking about an abstract idea is “There are lots of methods to skin the cat”.
Their is possessive meaning it owns something, for instance “Their dog just get into our garden”.
They’re is really a contraction of “they’re” (the apostrophe replaces the missing letter). A good example of its me is “They’re relocating nearby”.

There’s / Their own

There’s is really a contraction of there’s.
Their own may be the third person plural possessive pronoun and replaces “their + noun”. The concept that their own needs an apostrophe (hence “their’s”) stems from the convention that, in just about any other word, ‘s (apostrophe + s) signifies possession. However, their own is definitely an exception and “their’s” is wrong.

To / Too / Two

‘To’ has two functions. First, it’s a preposition and try to preceded a noun, hence:

Second, ‘to’ signifies an infinitive if this preceded a verb, hence

‘Too’ also offers two uses, the very first like a synonym for “also” hence:

Second, ‘too’ means excessively if this preceded an adjective or adverb hence:

‘Two’ is really a number as with one, two, three…

The most typical confusion is between to and too. Try replacing the term with “also” or “too” and when the saying is sensible then use too. Otherwise, and when not really a number, then use to.

Frequently Misused Words

Decimate

Strictly, decimate way to reduce by one-tenth and never to lessen to one-tenth. However, this usage has become more and more common, and appears prone to become recognized.

Literally

Literally means really or without exaggeration. Whenever you say “I literally…” you’re describing something just as it happened and without exaggeration. Should you say “I literally died of monotony” you’re implying you really died and using “literally” thus remains incorrect.

Lose / Loose

Lose may be the complete opposite of win, although loose may be the complete opposite of tight or contained.

Weather / Whether

Weather is generally a noun talking about the atmospheric conditions at a certain point over time (What’s the elements like there?) but is another verb meaning “impacted by the elements” (for instance Your fence has truly weathered) or perhaps like a figure of speech intending to cope with or survive something (We weathered the crisis).

Whether is really a conjunction that introduces alternatives, for instance “Whether I win or lose…” or “You’re doing so regardless of whether you enjoy it or otherwise”. Whether is comparable to “if”, if you could switch the word with “if” then use whether.

Conclusion

This site is an extremely brief summary of probably the most common errors present in British writing.

However, you can observe the British language is regrettably complex and many grammar and spelling checkers won’t get subtle distinctions between a few of the frequently-confused words above. Likewise, such checkers won’t get mistyped words for example “fir” rather of “for”, or “if” rather of “it” or indeed place all missing words.

It is essential that you thus don’t depend on the dictionary with spell checker to check your writing for you personally.

The best way forward would be to read your writing or, better yet, to obtain another person to see it and appearance it for you personally.

Many people think it is simpler to place errors when studying from the printed copy when compared with studying on the monitor, so print a duplicate to see.