Today I’d like to discuss a very delicate matter – Typos!
Dictionary.com defines a typo as: “An error while inputting text via keyboard, made despite the fact that the user knows exactly what to type in.”
FACT: Everybody makes typos. Language experts and journalists make typos.
The Queen of England, if she uses a computer (or even a typewriter), probably makes typos. The CORRECTION of typos is crucial in order to save your writing; not bemoaning the fact that they exist.
Whether we like it or not, typos are here to stay . . . until computers replace our brains and human errors cease to exist.
All we can do is learn from our mistakes, correct them, and move on.
How They Are Caused
Rushing
Distractions
Mechanical Failure (technical malfunction of keyboard, computer, or mouse)
Ambivalence/lack of interest (writing quickly without paying much attention)
How They Affect You (If Left Unchecked)
Embarrassment
Low grades in school / Writing not taken seriously by readers
Miscommunication
Common Typos
Typos are spelling “accidents”.
Fortunately, many Word Processors automatically correct some common typos. (Microsoft Word automatically converts “separetely” into “separately”, based on your program settings!)
However, some typos include contextual spelling errors, which spell-checkers (such as Microsoft Word) simply do not catch, since they are words spelled correctly, but used incorrectly. (no/know, to/too/two, from/form)
WhiteSmoke’s spell checker can correct contextual spelling errors, too.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Just like we all mess up certain parts of our speech – if we’re preoccupied, nervous, distracted – we all occasionally mess up parts of our writing.
Raising awareness of the importance of typos is only the first part of this enormous world-wide problem. For continued protection against typos:
* Check your work. When you have finished a paper or even an e-mail, read over it carefully.
* Use a spellchecker
* Get a second set of eyes to look over your work, to spot things like contextual errors you might still be missing.
WhiteSmoke Software contains a reliable contextual spellchecker component.
Last Minutes Sale: Get WhiteSmoke All-In-One English writing software and receive an additional license FREE OF CHARGE, plus a special discount for our readers!
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