Most Common Spelling Mistake on the Web

[spellwonder]

What is the most common spelling mistake on the Web?

[john_k]

I just graduated from a journalism school at a major university, and we were taught not to insert the last comma. I believe either is acceptable.

I don't. The reason being that many comma separated lists contain pairs of items as a single list entry.

"Prior to a meal, the table is commonly set with such items as plates, silverware, napkins, salt and pepper shakers, and glasses."

Probably not the best example, but it makes the point.

[john_k]

My all-time favorite web misspelling is "insecure." As in "this page is insecure." I had always thought that "insecure" described a psychological or emotional state. And that "unsecure" was used to describe something that is vulnerable to a security breach.

How ever, eye reverse teh wright too bee rong.

[twist]

It is correct to use a comma before “and” when attaching the last item of a serial list. However, a lot of writers omit it. I just graduated from a journalism school at a major university, and we were taught not to insert the last comma. I believe either is acceptable. : )

I struggled with this problem myself. I was taught to insert the comma, but noticed that it was becoming less favorable. I came to this conclusion. If it's three words, no comma. If it is longer, use the comma.

I enjoy running, jumping and crawling.

I enjoy running, jumping, crawling, ducking, and walking.

Long lists can seem to run together without that last comma. Should I just stick with one style?

[john_k]

I struggled with this problem myself. I was taught to insert the comma, but noticed that it was becoming less favorable. I came to this conclusion. If it's three words, no comma. If it is longer, use the comma.

I enjoy running, jumping and crawling.

I enjoy running, jumping, crawling, ducking, and walking.

Long lists can seem to run together without that last comma. Should I just stick with one style?

What are your three favorite color combinations?

[j4mes]

's, used incorrectly, is everywhere!

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Please don't ban me ;-)

[sullen]

Well spotted J4mes!

Errant apostrophes annoy me too, but they aren´t really spelling mistakes are they?

Perhaps the most common misspelling is pron.

[Syzygy]

Common errors in English. Excellent find, oddsod; hours of fun!

Syzygy

[oddsod]

Syzygy, no problem. :) You may also like this dictionary [geocities.com] and this webmaster specific one [experienced-people.co.uk].

[Hitch]

Not spelling, but grammar:

"I could care less...." AAAARRRGGGHHHH!

followed by "it's" in close second place.

Hitch

[4string]

"for all intensive purposes"

I like that one.

[claus]

>> Perhaps the most common misspelling is pron.

... as everybody knows the right way to spell it is with a zero, not an O

;-)

[larryhatch]

Hello Hitch:

What do you do with contractions liked "it is" => it's?

'He is' becomes he's. She is becomes she's.

What happens to a contracted "it is"?

I never complained about grocers who shortened Cucumbers to 'cukes', especially at low prices
in Cucamonga, California.

What bothered me were signs like: "Cuke's" (note posssessive)
as if they owned the store for 39 cents per pound in season. -Larry

[Hitch]

Hi, Larry:

Contractions don't bother me, including the dreaded "it's," assuming proper use. What makes me crazy is "it's" as a possessive, or "he saw its' uses," or other similar...ahem, creative...spellings/uses. (Not dissimilar to your example about "Cuke's," which was cute). Of course, once upon a time (aka, "back in the day"), it was considered improper to use contractions in business or other formal correspondence. <shrug>. I DO get a bit vexed over "who'd," though. LOL!

Regards, (another misused term, FWIW..."in regards to...")

Hitch