Unacceptable Errors and Mistakes that Make You Look Foolish GRAMMAR BOOT CAMP Tips For Avoiding Unacceptable Errors and Mistakes that Make You Look Foolish

The Worst Mistake is Carelessness Wow! Free cable and a spouse!

When we know better, the error hurts more. “A [smart person] is someone whose mind watches itself.” --Thomas Macaulay

Ms. Ivey’s List of Unacceptable Errors The following spelling, grammar, and usage mistakes will simply no longer be tolerated. If they show up on any written work in this class, you will lose points—up to 10 points for each error (depending on the assignment).

Unacceptable Error 1 Using text-messaging shorthand. Your work for English class should not require a secret code book. You are trying to clearly communicate ideas. If you use text messaging lingo, you are not putting the required effort into the work for this class. No “U” for “you,” no “2” for “to,” and if you were “rolling on the floor laughing,” then say so.

Unacceptable Error 2 Failure to begin a sentence with a capital letter and/or end it with an end mark (period, question mark, exclamation point).

Unacceptable Error 3 Using “gonna”. No one is “gonna” do anything. You are “going to”. For example, if you persist in using “gonna,” you are going to lose points on the assignment.

Unacceptable Error 4 Using “alot” at all. Until you realize that “a lot” is a two- word phrase, not a single word, refrain from using it. Alternatives to consider include “very much,” “exceedingly,” or “many”.

Unacceptable Error 5 Not capitalizing the pronoun “I”. No matter where you use it, the pronoun “I” should be capitalized. This includes contractions, such as “I’ve,” “I’m,” and “I’ll”.

Unacceptable Error 6 Using apostrophes when they are not called for. You do not need to use an apostrophe every time you add an “s” to a word. Plurals DO NOT require an apostrophe. The ONLY TWO uses for apostrophes are: To show possession/ownership, as in “It’s Mikey’s book.” In contractions to indicate missing letters, as in “don’t,” “can’t,” etc.

Unacceptable Error 7 Using “could of” when you mean “could’ve” or “could have”. It is understandable why this mistake is made: The contraction “could’ve” SOUNDS like “could of”. But the phrase “could of” is nonsensical and should be avoided. Oh, and the same goes for “would of” or “should of”. They are “would’ve” or “should’ve”

Unacceptable Error 8 Failure to capitalize proper nouns. Proper nouns name specific, often one-of- a-kind nouns. No matter where they appear in a sentence, they should be capitalized. For example, a common noun is “dog”. A proper noun is “Spike”. Proper nouns include names of specific people (Bob Marley), specific places (Alaska, Elgin High School, Chili’s), and specific things (the Declaration of Independence).

Unacceptable Error 9 Confusing “don’t” with “doesn’t” You should not write things like: He don’t care about me anymore. The contraction “don’t” is a short version of “do not”. The proper contraction is doesn’t, as in “does not”.

Unacceptable Error 10 Relying solely on your computer’s spell check to proofread your work. Machines are good for some things, and they should be used where they are useful. However, spell checks fail to catch many mistakes, including common homonyms. Spell check is no substitute for editing and proofreading.

More tips to avoid appearing foolish Homonyms: Make sure you’re using the right one or gorilla guerrilla

More tips to avoid appearing foolish there = a place their = ownership they’re = they are Also, did you notice the unnecessary apostrophe?

More tips to avoid appearing foolish your = ownership you’re = you are

APOSTROPHE Review REMEMBER: Use to show a letter is missing… isn’t = isn t = is not Use to show ownership Girl’s wagon o

OWNERSHIP OR CONTRACTION? Is there a letter left out? Does the burger belong to the pie? Does this sign really need an apostrophe?

ABOVE ALL ELSE: TAKE CARE WITH YOUR WRITTEN WORK You may be able to avoid a real tradgey.

Brought to you by the Grammar Police At ease! Brought to you by the Grammar Police Ms. Ostas Mr. Restaino Ms. Ivey