TEN COMMON ERRORS SPELL CHECK WON'T CATCH

[Aquarius]

Ten Common Errors Spell Check Won't Catch

While this list is hardly exhaustive, the items on it and several similar to it are common ones I come across as I validate authors' fics as well as review submissions for my paper zine. I am posting this to emphasize why a keen eye and going slow while betaing someone else's fic or polishing up your own is so important. Spell check doesn't catch this stuff--but it's still wrong.

Also, nailing this stuff down reduces the chances that we'll ask you to resubmit after having it reviewed by a new beta. We don't necessarily want to do that, but if a fic becomes too time consuming to publish because we're spending too much energy fixing stuff that you and your beta should've caught, it isn't fair to the other authors who are waiting for their stories to go live--and it isn't fair to the admins who have pretty full plates in general.

Making this a global announcement for now because we're anticipating a lot of submissions, but eventually this link will just be found in the "Resources for Writers" forum.

Thank you.

[Glory1863]

From The Things Your Spellchecker Won't Catch:

Its versus It’s (and all other apostrophes):
According to a copy editing instructor for California-based copy editing service provider Edicetera, confusing “its” and “it’s” is the most common error in the English language. That one minuscule apostrophe (or lack thereof) drastically changes the meaning of the entire sentence. “It’s” is a contraction of “it is,” whereas “its” refers to possession. Also, watch out for “your” versus “you’re.”

Welcome to The Delphic Expanse, a selective archive for Star Trek: Enterprise fanfiction. You’ll find stories of the het, slash and moresome variety featuring all pairings and permutations as well as general stories and crossover stories. Whether your a writer a reader or both, we hope you’ll enjoy what you find here.

Oops! While you're there, shouldn't there be a comma after writer?

[crystalswolf]

Ah, being human does come with its complications doesn't it? I guess it makes sense that the most common mistakes are the ones that slip through, huh?

I guess it highlights the fact of just how much we all need these links Aquarius has been kind enough to post.

[THE Rigil Kent]

I also hate "whose" and "who's" ... and I'm good with grammar!

[Aquarius]

All fixed, Glory.

I firmly believe that a good friend will tell you when your fly is open, you have a "cliffhanger" on your nose, etc.--hell, I wouldn't want to walk around like that all day! So if I make a mistake, it's appreciated when I'm given the opportunity to correct it.

However, there is a difference between discreetly passing someone a kleenex and saying, "There's something on your nose," and making a scene by screaming, "Ew! Gross!! Look at that booger on your nose!!"

Both get the nose wiped. But one method of delivery is friendlier than the other.

Just saying.

[Honeybee]

Yes, thank you Glory.

One of the reasons we insist on work being posted in the archive is beta-ed, is because we all make mistakes and it feels pretty rotten when someone dances about and gleefully points out the mistakes. We want to protect our members from people who would do that.