The Importance of Proofreading
What you say in your assignments and discussion board posts is important. But, it is also important to be aware of how you say what you say. Be sure to read the essay posted under More Resources titled The Importance of Grammar and Spelling. And, please proofread your documents before you submit them!
Many may think this harsh since this is not an English class. However, grammar and spelling count for something outside of English class as well (this is why they are taught in English class!).
Here are some very common mistakes that occur as grammatical or spelling errors:
to/too: Many seem to be confusing these two words. If you want to say that something is "too" big, "too" difficult, etc. use "too." Please do not use "to" for this purpose! It is incorrect!
Would of: This is one of the worst offenses I see in submissions. The correct expression is "would've" which is the contraction of "would have." "Would of" though it sounds correct is not correct and is simply nonsense. Please do not use this or related expressions such as: could of, should of, etc.
are/our: Again a problem here with how these sound. If you want to indicate possession use "our," as in: Our philosophy class. Please do not use "are" (a form of the verb to be) to indicate such possession.
Their/there: Another problem with the distinction between the possessive use here due to the sameness of sound. "Their" is the possessive, not "there." If you want to indicate possessive (as in something that is "theirs") do not use "there."
know/no: Another confusion based on similar sound. This one is not as common as some of those listed above but I have seen it and it is a glaring error!
Please bear in mind that this is not a complete list of common mistakes. Also, please remember that I am not emphasizing proofreading to be mean or harsh. As I said above, you might be thinking that this is unnecessary since this is not an English class. But, what was the point of you taking an English class and learning rules of grammar and spelling? What is the point unless you use these things in your writing no matter who your audience is? I can assure you that attention to these details in your professional and educational correspondence, such as e-mails you send to professors and prospective employers, will benefit you greatly. You cannot be certain that you will be penalized for your poor grammar and spelling, but why take the risk?
Many may think this harsh since this is not an English class. However, grammar and spelling count for something outside of English class as well (this is why they are taught in English class!).
Here are some very common mistakes that occur as grammatical or spelling errors:
to/too: Many seem to be confusing these two words. If you want to say that something is "too" big, "too" difficult, etc. use "too." Please do not use "to" for this purpose! It is incorrect!
Would of: This is one of the worst offenses I see in submissions. The correct expression is "would've" which is the contraction of "would have." "Would of" though it sounds correct is not correct and is simply nonsense. Please do not use this or related expressions such as: could of, should of, etc.
are/our: Again a problem here with how these sound. If you want to indicate possession use "our," as in: Our philosophy class. Please do not use "are" (a form of the verb to be) to indicate such possession.
Their/there: Another problem with the distinction between the possessive use here due to the sameness of sound. "Their" is the possessive, not "there." If you want to indicate possessive (as in something that is "theirs") do not use "there."
know/no: Another confusion based on similar sound. This one is not as common as some of those listed above but I have seen it and it is a glaring error!
Please bear in mind that this is not a complete list of common mistakes. Also, please remember that I am not emphasizing proofreading to be mean or harsh. As I said above, you might be thinking that this is unnecessary since this is not an English class. But, what was the point of you taking an English class and learning rules of grammar and spelling? What is the point unless you use these things in your writing no matter who your audience is? I can assure you that attention to these details in your professional and educational correspondence, such as e-mails you send to professors and prospective employers, will benefit you greatly. You cannot be certain that you will be penalized for your poor grammar and spelling, but why take the risk?