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Monday, August 31, 2009

Bloopers

It's time to share some of my own writing bloopers. Here's two I made -- among several-- in an article I wrote today. The first one I caught before I sent the article to the editor. The second one I just saw.


1) I was writing about using plug-in timers that turn your lights on and off when you're away on vacation and I wrote:

"Look for timers that have battery backup so they'll still work if there's a power failure."

(I meant so the time would still be accurate.)

2) I just now saw this one:

"Always park your car in the garage with the garage door closed when you are there."

(That sounds dangerous no matter how you read it. I think I meant "Always leave your car in the garage with the garage door closed when you are home.")

14 comments:

  1. Y'know, sometimes we can't help but let our inner Yogi Berra rage.

    "Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded."

    Peace - Rene

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  2. We all do variations of the same missteps while writing. We meant one thing, but write down something different. It's good to know that even the pros make a boo boo now and then.

    Have a terrific day. :)

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  3. Uhmmm I am from Mississippi, I can hear or read it either way and still understand :-)

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  4. point being... I would not have noticed

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  5. Grandpa, I have the utmost respect for an educated person who can see their own flaws and show up to correct them.

    You now sit among those I simply admire most in my life. And. . . you can feel free to bring your RED pen to my blog anytime.

    I love your honesty.

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  6. It takes an editor's eye to spot nuances like those. Many writers fall in love with the "ing" construction, because they think it's stylish. One writer wrote: "Disappearing into my tent, I changed into fresh jeans." Well, if in truth the two actions were simultaneous, he surely was a contortionist.

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  7. I like your bloopers, Grandpa. I always edit my emails and progress notes at work. And I usually find some real boners!

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  8. They are really funny. It seems you are also distracted as I am myself. I have one that happen to me that was terrible, When I went to the university in LA, I had some problems with my english yet, once I had to hand in an essay about a socio-technical area and I wrote shit, when what I wanted to write was sheet, pretty embarasing for my self it was.

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  9. Hey Grandpa. I left a gift for you at my place. Please stop in and pick it up. Don't forget to edit my work. . . if it doesn't take you too long! LOL

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  10. Yep, the second one sounds like a suicide instruction guide....
    :)

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  11. I can edit things I've written 3 times, and still go back later and find something else that should have been more precise or is grammatically incorrect. It is harder than many folks realize to write for a living!

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  12. Isn't it funny. Although the brain and the writing hand are attached to the same body, they manage to trail off in different directions. nick

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  13. The first was functionally correct, I think, though not as accurate as you wished perhaps.
    The second I mentally repaired (as you did) as I read it.

    FUN! Thanks for the lesson master WordSmith, you ;-]

    Aloha
    Comfort Spiral

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  14. I think one of the difficulties with being able to send things out in record time, is that it's harder to catch these small things!

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