Copywriting is king! Copyblogger.com is a fabulous resource to help you master copywriting. It will take you step by step through the entire process and give you the necessary skills to create awesome copy! With this free help, and some determination, you can become an expert!
I was looking for which one to use: accept or except and I found this page to learn that and even more! I decided to share this resource with you!
Here is an example of what I needed and found for today:
Affect vs. Effect
To this day I have to pause and mentally sort this one out in order to get it right. As with any of the other common mistakes people make when writing, it’s taking that moment to get it right that makes the difference.
“Affect” is a verb, as in “Your ability to communicate clearly will affect your income immensely.” “Effect” is a noun, as in “The effect of a parent’s low income on a child’s future is well documented.” By thinking in terms of “the effect,” you can usually sort out which is which, because you can’t stick a “the” in front of a verb.
While some people do use “effect” as a verb (“a strategy to effect a settlement”), they are usually lawyers, and you should therefore ignore them if you want to write like a human.
Could of, Would of, Should of
Please don’t do this:
I should of gone to the baseball game, and I could of, if Billy would of done his job.
This is correct:
I should have gone to the baseball game, and could have, if Billy had done his job.
Why do people make this mistake?
They could’ve, should’ve, would’ve been correct, except that the ending of those contractions is slurred when spoken. This creates something similar to a homophone, i.e., a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning, e.g., of, which results in the common grammatical mistake of substituting of for have.
Me, Myself, and I
One of the most common causes of grammatical pain is the choice between “me” and “I.” Too often people use “I” when they should use “me,” because since “I” sounds stilted and proper, it must be right, right? Nope.
The easy way to get this one right is to simply remove the other person from the sentence and then do what sounds correct. You would never say “Give I a call,” so you also wouldn’t say “Give Chris and I a call.” Don’t be afraid of me.
And whatever you do, don’t punt and say “myself” because you’re not sure whether “me” or “I” is the correct choice. “Myself” is only proper in two contexts, both of which are demonstrated below.
Many consider Chris a punk, but I myself tolerate him. Which brings me to ask myself, why?
Improper Use of the Apostrophe
For contractions (don’t for do not)
• To show possession (Frank’s blog means the blog belongs to Frank)
Basically, you use an apostrophe in two cases:
•
If still in doubt, leave the apostrophe out. It causes more reader confusion to insert an apostrophe where it doesn’t belong than it does to omit one. Plus, you can always plead the typo defense if you leave an apostrophe out, but you look unavoidably dumb when you stick one where it doesn’t belong.
Head on over to Copyblogger.com for all your copywriting questions! Take a look and let me know what you think!
July 12th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Hey Linda
I read Copyblogger just about every day. Great source of informaion, just like you
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July 12th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Great minds think alike!
July 13th, 2010 at 5:42 am
More people need to read this, Linda! Especially Me, Myself, and I part:).
Thanks for sharing such solid info.
Best,
Ana Hoffman
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July 13th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Ana~
Thanks for commenting, I’m glad you found value in this post! Introspection is where it always starts!
July 13th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Linda,
Incredible information. Wish this was in a Blogging 101 Course that everyone had access to. Thanks for sharing!
Darlene Davis recently posted..Shall We Dance
July 20th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Thank you very much for sharing this resource, I have never heard of it and I can’t wait to check it out!
Stacy recently posted..10 Reasons to Appreciate Difficulties
July 20th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Hey Stacy! Thanks for visiting my blog! I have to check out your latest post too!
~Linda
October 27th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Linda a great source of information. I have gone and registered already. I laugh as the one there that stumps me often is effect and affect, it is the one I have to think about. You explained it well.
I love the help tools you come up with.
Sue
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October 27th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Sue~
The funny thing is that I have to refer back to my post to remind me – affect and effect is still a problem. I don’t know if it’s MS or age or brain overload, whatever it is, remembering is difficult!
Linda
October 28th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Linda
You have sure picked a handful of my hardest english grammar. After 50 years I still have to think about these and am sure I get them wrong a lot of the time. Am going to print out your post and stick it to the wall for easy reference.
Thanks
Belinda
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October 28th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Belinda~
I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Linda
October 29th, 2010 at 3:43 am
Hi Linda
I love reading well-written posts with correct grammar and punctuation. It is hard for those bloggers whose first language is not English, but they often try harder as they are aware of the fact that there are complexities and more exceptions to the rule with the English language than most other spoken languages.
Copyblogger do have quality posts. I used to read their posts regularly but these days I am so busy with my own blog and interacting in the commentluv community that I don’t really visit there anymore. Thanks for sharing with us
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia@lavenderuses recently posted..Lavender Products-cheap but not so cheerful
October 29th, 2010 at 6:15 am
I’m right there with you Patricia! It would be something else if we had time to read all we want!!
October 29th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Hi Linda,read your blog about copywriting you did a great job. I got your blog address from TSA. Hope you will check out my blog and leave a comment. Have a great day Paul
October 30th, 2010 at 7:33 am
Hi Linda,
This was fun. Felt like I was back in high school for a minute LOL. I find it interesting after reading a lot of different blogs the nature of the language and verbiage people use. I’ve heard some say they write poorly to appear more down to earth and real to their readers. That’s fine but at least use the right words and correct spelling. I enjoy reading blogs that convey in a more natural conversational tone then those that are perfectly polished and written by word smiths. But, I always notice spelling. I admit…I’m not perfect at this but some people are either really bad at this or just don’t proof read their work.
Don’t get me started on there, their, and they’re. That’s another big one people miss often. Thanks for sharing a great resource with us.
Don Enck recently posted..The Blog Mastery Awards
October 30th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Don~
I think it’s true, we notice what we’re working on! I’m not naturally great at spelling, but I’m working on it, and like you I notice!
Linda
October 30th, 2010 at 9:01 am
This is a great post. I get e-mail updates from Copyblogger. They have some great information. Another one to follow for grammar is The Grammar Girl. I often use that one as a resource. Affect and Effect is a good one. I recently learned the rule of weaved, woven, wove. Now that is super confusing. Too much to learn. I am mostly forgiving of people unless it is blatantly ignorant. Thanks for this post. I am a sick one, I enjoy learning all of these grammar rules.
October 30th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Thanks Nicole~ I’ll check out Grammar Girl too!
Linda
October 30th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Hey Linda,
Thanks for the English education this morning
You’ve explained these differences very well, you’re a little fountain of knowledge
I think I mostly get it right, however I’m sure there are times I don’t.
however in a post or article I’m very particular.
When I’m quickly typing a conversation I don’t pay too much attention to my punctuality, (Kylie can vouch for this
Armed now with your teaching I’m hoping to improve on that ratio.
Thanks for sharing this great post and the link to a great source of information.
In Health and Wealth
Toni
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October 31st, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Hi Linda
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable resource. I’m forever googling for spellings and grammatical differences, so now I have a one-stop shop.
What confuses me the most is the difference between english and american spellings….the spell checker is american, but I try to stay true to my british roots and use the english spellings….however, I can see myself giving into using american spellings someday soon.
Louise
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November 2nd, 2010 at 5:01 am
Hi Linda – Ahh – affect vs effect – that one has always stumped me too. I have not heard of copyblogger.com but will definitely check it out after reading this. Thanks for sharing this info!
Glyna Humm recently posted..Confessions Of An Online Marketer
November 2nd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Hey Glyna~
You’ll love it!
Linda
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:11 am
Great information!
Thanks for the heads up
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:25 am
Thanks for pointing out the great reference and the current discussion as well. Language is much harder barrier for people like us whom English is a second language, I hope, you understand. I hope to improve gradually.
The rest of the confusion, OK, I’ve managed, but still I feel it quite confusing when needs to choose among I, me and myself (rarely use myself). I’m more cautious and look into what I write to avoid some silly mistakes.
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November 4th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Hi Linda,
This was a fun post. I always have problems with grammar and the words you mentioned I trip over all the time.Thanks for the great resource!
Lesly Federici recently posted..What Is This Really Saying
November 4th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Copyblogger is a great site. They have a wealth of information, not just regarding grammatical issues, but they also have valuable advice related to salesletters, landing pages etc. Thanks for sharing Linda.
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November 5th, 2010 at 7:19 am
Karin~
Thanks for letting us know! I need to spend more time over there!
Linda
November 5th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Linda, what a fun post!
Just like everyone else here, I enjoy reading well-written content where people actually use spell-checker! I realize a lot of people want to show their personality, relax, and just have fun — but as far as readers go, I think it shows respect when you do your best to give quality content as well as valuable content.
Copyblogger — one of my favs!
Thank you for expressing yourself, as a true copywriter!
Deborah
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November 7th, 2010 at 1:33 am
copywriting is vital need for our internet marketing business
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November 7th, 2010 at 6:14 am
You are so right Andrew! I need to take time to write more posts about it! I could brush up on my grammar and everyone else would benefit from it! Right now I just can’t! Yikes!
Linda
ps. Why don’t you get a picture connected to your comments? It’s free and easy! check out the post I created for that, and I’ll email you in case you don’t see this!
November 13th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
We do need to get more people to that site. I was educated in England and at that time there was a great emphasis on grammar and speaking and writing correct english. I still cringe a little at some of the mistakes people make today – I guess the emphasis in the schools has changed and this is no longer a hot topic. Pity.
November 14th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Hi Linda Grace!
I am another one who loves to learn about these rules. I think it is really important to use proper grammar if you want your blog posts to be respected. I should have realized that there were services like copyblogger.com, but never thought about looking into it.
Thanks for sharing this valuable resource!
Mentor Mama
December 23rd, 2010 at 2:07 pm
This is great blog and helps with the different uses of affect and effect. Thank you for informing us. The problem with these words is they sound the same when said, so thus the confusion.
Affect vs Effect recently posted..Affect vs Effect
February 17th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Nice thought. Simple error though but most of us sometimes use it the wrong sentence.
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June 2nd, 2011 at 5:25 pm
More posts like this Miss Linda. I enjoy reading posts like this because I learn a lot of grammar rules.
June 3rd, 2011 at 11:42 am
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Linda
September 12th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
This is a good source of information, I learn so many things here. Writing a blog should be written grammatically correct. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. More blessings.
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September 15th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Charlotte,
I’ve said before that I wrote this post for my benefit! I’m learning things that I should have learned earlier in life!!
Linda
September 20th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
This is really great! I am a really about this.. Your article provides the info that i needed.. Thanks for posting!
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October 13th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Looks great, Linda. I’ve always been confused with copywriters and article spinners. I guess this sets the two apart.
It boggles me how grammar seems to be taken for granted nowadays. People should pay close attention to the words they use in constructing a sentence or else they might give other people the wrong message.
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October 14th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Carmen,
I think it’s a generational thing. Gen X stopped focusing on grammar now Gen Y has spell check so no one needs to really learn!
Linda
ps. I’m one of the worst with grammer!
November 21st, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Thanks for taking this opportunity to talk about this, I really feel strongly about it and I take pleasure in understanding about this topic.
November 21st, 2011 at 3:10 pm
If feasible, as you gain information, please add to this weblog with new data. I’ve identified it really useful.
November 22nd, 2011 at 5:53 am
Hi Linda,
i always wanted to be a writer, But i’m not good at being creative in writing. I can write about a product or review it . Does this can hold me a career in online writing/ Content writing ?
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December 4th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
I use a copywriting service from time to time for my articles.
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January 8th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
I hope you can provide me with some professional insights on how I can improve my blog and leave a couple of comments; any positive or negative comment are greatly appreciated. Thanks very much for your time and I hope to read more of your articles soon… Peace!
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