“Writing's Common Errors

Taking a module on Media Writing this semester has made me more critically aware of mistakes when it comes to writing (very simple ones in fact). As the course is structured in a workshop format where we share and critique articles, I have come across quite a few common mistakes made in writing.

A snapshot is as follows:

(1) The Conundrum: Affect OR Effect?
I've been taught that affect is a verb whereas effect is a noun. However, people always tend to confuse the two, making affect a noun and effect a verb.

Example: Your pitch had little affect on me. (Correct Use: effect)
                Your loud music is effecting me. (Correct Use: affecting)
Of course, there are instances where effect can be used as a verb such as the purpose of this policy review is to effect change on the community.

(2) The Conundrum: Complement OR Compliment?
Complement means to make something better/complete. Compliment means to praise. The following example is taken from a restaurant review article I vetted during the workshop:

The time between ordering and service is to be complemented. (Correct Use: complimented)
=> Judging from the sentence structure, I think the author meant "complimented".

Correct: ...their range of red wines, being particularly complementary to all dishes.
 
(3) The Conundrum: Breath OR Breadth?
People tend to confuse one's bad breath with breadth. Breath is an inhalation/exhalation while breadth refers to distance measured.

Example: There was a tinge of alcohol in the person's breadth. (Correct Use: breath)

(4) Can't Spell (and can't be bothered...) I don't know if it's due to the network society or use of internet lingo, but I've been encountering youths who truly have problems with spelling. If you can't spell, at least do yourself a favour in using "Spell-check" before submitting. The function is there for a reason but I hope it doesn't dumb down the ability of youths to spell.

Example(s):

embarass (Wrong) VS embarrass (Correct)

comunnity (Wrong) VS community (Correct)

neccessary (Wrong VS necessary (Correct)

The Phillipines (Wrong) VS The Philippines (Correct)  

(5) The Overuse of "Basically" 

"Basically, the issue at hand is...." Basically, da-da-da...(whatever) 

I've had enough of the word basically. It's getting on my nerves as it appears for no rhyme or reason, just pure habit. If it were that basic, I'd rather you omit the word basically from your sentence. This problem applies both to public speaking and writing. 

At the end of the day, writers must always consider their readers. Keep things simple and try not to overuse jargons/complicated words just to sound sophisticated. More often than not, just the use of simple words and phrases can tell a lot about the person's writing/language skills.

Finally, 

ALWAYS PROOF-READ!