We all make small mistakes in our writing from time to time. The trick is to jump on any typing errors (or typos) before they are allowed to escape into the world! Here are a few common typos to watch out for and some tips on catching them…
Common typos:
Double words: Inadvertently doubling-up on small words. For example, inserting a double ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘at’, ‘the’, etc.
Missing or incorrect connectors: Leaving out small but important words, or inserting the wrong one.
Missing or incorrect punctuation: For example, putting a comma instead of a full-stop, or leaving off a question mark
Often these typos occur when you’re editing text. If you’re making lots of changes to a piece of writing, rejigging sentences and moving paragraphs around, it can be easy to let pesky errors slip through.
Tips on catching typos
1. Proofread your writing
The number one tip for catching typos is to ensure you always read over your writing before hitting the ‘send’ button. If your work is being professionally edited, these errors should be caught. However, if you don’t have that safety net, it’s important to give yourself the chance to fix errors.
2. Read your work aloud
Unfortunately, reading your work on the page or screen is sometimes not enough to catch errors, especially if it is a longer piece of writing. This is because you sometimes fall foul of not seeing the wood for the trees. Your brain can trick you into thinking what you’re reading is correct, masking some of the errors listed above. Reading your work slowly out loud (or under your breath) forces your brain to read what is actually there.
3. Ask someone else to read your work
If the writing you’re working on is particularly important (an assignment, report or CV, etc.) it is a good idea to get someone else to read it through before you send it out. They might spot errors you’ve missed. One useful option is to use the read-back function on Word, which you can find under the ‘Review’ menu’. Not only can this flag typos but it can highlight use of the wrong version of the word. I had one recently where I had used ‘decedent’ instead of ‘decadent’. The pronunciation of the read-back voice let me know it was incorrect and gave me the chance to make the correction.
4. Put it aside
For important pieces of writing, it is worth setting the final draft aside for a while before taking a final look, just to be sure you’ve caught all of those typos. You might be surprised at what jumps out at you that you previously missed.
Putting out work with errors can have a negative impact on how it is received. So, stay alert to typos and make sure your writing shows you (and your organisation) off in the best light.