In this area, I'm not going to claim that I know everything about writing, spelling and proper grammar -- in fact, I consider my own talent a work-in-progress -- but I do feel that I can offer useful examples of everyday usage errors to avoid. It is very easy to misspell or misuse common everyday words. I certainly do. In fact, my own sister sent me an email alerting me that I had misspelled the word "Grammar" on my own site! Such a silly error for a writer, and certainly one that I could have easily rectified with a little extra thought (and diligent use of “Spell-Check”).

Listen to the newscasters -- they aren't perfect. And you can see many errors in published writings and the newspaper too -- no one is immune to errors. But there is a difference between my spelling "Grammar" incorrectly and not knowing how to spell it at all.

While I'm hoping this topic will be of use to anyone who wishes to write, I'll attempt to give real-life examples that apply to the fitness industry in particular, since that is where I receive most of my requests for help.

Now, there won't be much rhyme or reason to my list; I'm just going to begin with the ones that needle me the most and go from there.

Coming:
None
bussed v. bused
I and me

Added AUGUST 2004
1. Infamous v. Renown & Well-known Common misuses

Quite often you hear a person being referred to being infamous. In fact, on BBC America I even heard the host refer to a popular and long-running editor and columnist reporter as "The infamous Janice Street- Porter." Unfortunately for Ms. Street-Porter, the host attached a worriesome reputation to her career. So unless you want to refer to someone you admire for decent reasons as digraceful. notorious, outrageouis, and direputable avoid using infamous.

Popular infamous people:
Added APRIL 2004

1. Anxious v. Eager: Common misuses.

Anxious and eager are too emotional states of anticipation that are opposite to each other. If you are eager to do something, that means you are looking forward to an event. If you are anxious then this would mean you are not looking forward to it.

I often read and hear comments from competitors (and anyone for that matter) mixing up the two.

Example: If I am excited about training for an upcoming show then chances are I am EAGER (happy) to compete. However, if I've not been training well and feel that I will not do well in the competition but I still insist on competing then I will be ANXIOUS about the show (fearful).