Common Proofreading mistakes

(Continued from last month)

#8. Using 'should of' instead of 'should have'. This mistake is becoming more and more common, presumably because one sounds like the other. 'Should of' is bad grammar, however, and it is always wrong.

#9. Confusing 'to', 'too' and 'two'. These words all sound alike but have quite different meanings. 'To' is a preposition and it is used in phrases such as, 'Give the book to me.' 'Too' means 'also' or 'as well', as in, 'I liked that book too.' Finally, 'two' is , of course, the number after one.

#10. Confusing 'loose' with 'lose'. The former is the opposite of 'tight', while the latter is the opposite of 'win'. So it would be correct to write, 'This knot is loose', but, 'Against superior opposition it was inevitable that the team would lose.'

I hope this has helped you. Perhaps you can think of some words that are tricky for you. Use the comment option at bottom of this page and let me know which word(s) trips you up.

Lady Lake Writers will meet Thursday, January 28th at 10:00 a.m. at the Lady Lake Public Library. Gentle reminder: We meet monthly 4th Thursdays same time same place except for the months of November and December.

YOU ARE INVITED! The Villages Recreation Department will present the Authors and Book Lovers Showcase 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 14, at Lake Miona Recreation Center. Many FWA members who are Villages residents are participating in this event. Come hear authors discuss their books and publishing experiences. There will also be 30 exhibitors, book signings, free admission and presentations. For information about presentations and exhibit space, contact Mark H. Newhouse at (352) 753-3290 or mnewek@yahoo.com. Members of local FWA Lady Lake and Oxford writer groups will share a special writer support groups table. This opportunity has allowed us to tell many participants about our statewide association and attract new members to FWA as well. Schedule of presentations is as follows:

9-10 a.m. "out of Our Heads: Fiction of All Types" with Mitchell Smith, Lorraine Harris, Peter Schianna, Jack Petro.

10-11 a.m., "For Children of All Ages: Juvenile and Young Adult" with Leonard Lewis, Lois Podoshen, Mary Lois Sanders, Brenda Weaver.

11-Noon, "Truth is Stranger than Fiction: Nonfiction and Memoirs" with George Erickson, Saundra Brewer, Dianne Abbott, Mary Stevens.

Noon - 1 p.m., "A Passion for Poetry" with Allen Watkins, Tom Leonard, Dorothy Leyendecker.

Noon - 1 p.m., "Hold Your Shorts: Newspapers and Essays" with Sandi Newmark and Julie McGlone.

1-2 p.m., "Romance, Murder and Mayhem" with Sharon Allen, Tom Murphy, Bridgit Ferrari, Christie Seiler.

P.S. If you've never visited The Villages and are afraid you might get lost once you get here, fear not. Any guard at any visitor gate can give you a readout on how to get to any of our rec centers. All you have to do is ask as the gate.

Come enjoy this new venue and meet new writer friends as well.