Preventing Spelling Mistakes Spell Checker Misses

Never trust your spell checker. As a copy writer, I thought a quick first blog on preventing spelling mistakes seemed appropriate.

We are all in a rush these days. We are all hustling, trying to make a buck. We rattle off emails and letters and notes and business coorespondence and thank the gods for good ol’ spell checker.

The problem with Spell Checkers

The only problem is, spell checker is stupid. Yes, stupid. It can’t be trusted to know whether you meant to use your, you’re or yore. But it knows all three are spelled correctly.

I’m not saying turn off your spell checker. It is a useful tool. But it is just a first step to making certain your coorespondence is professional. Read it through.

The secret to perfect spelling and grammar

Then read it backwards. Yes, this is a fabulous trick for finding mistakes. How many times has someone pointed out a spelling mistake to you and you said, “but I read it over ten times before I sent it to the printer!”

Why it works

It’s the fault of the brain. It is comfortable with how you write. It knows what you “meant” to say and will gloss over mistakes. You’ll see it correctly but the mistake will be there.

 Reading backwards forces us to be uncomfortable. It forces the brain to analyze each word. You’ll catch each and every mistake (that you can recognize). And then pass it to a couple of other people and make your victims read forwards and then backwards.

Odds are, if you and your friends collectively have a pretty good grasp on basic English, you’ll have nothing to worry about the next time you approve a proof from the printer.

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