Common spelling mistakes: Beware of computer spell-checkers

You will lose marks for spelling and typing mistakes. You are expected to proofread your work and to correct any mistakes before handing in your essay. Have a dictionary and thesaurus handy when you write your final draft. If you rely on a computer to check your spelling for you, be aware that the computer won't find correctly spelled words that are used inappropriately. For example, a typing mistake such as typing the instead of them won'tbepickedupbya spell-checker. While spell-checkers are very useful, they don't do all the work for you. Always proofread your work before submitting it.

The ‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’ rule

People still get this one muddled, often because they forget the ‘except after c’ part, so that words such as ‘belief’ and ‘relief’ lead to ‘recieve’ instead of ‘receive’. Everyone knows this rule—it has been drummed into us since childhood!—but when we type or write, it often comes out wrong anyway. So, always check that you've applied the rule correctly.

The affect/effect conundrum

The difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’ can be subtle and confusing. If in doubt, refer to your dictionary or thesaurus. The best way to understand the difference between the two words is to remember that ‘affect’ is usually a verb (a doing word) and ‘effect’ is a noun (a naming word). For example:

• affect (verb): ‘The drug affects me’ (causes a change in something).
• effect (noun): ‘The effects of the drug are serious’ (names what the drug does).

The which/who distinction

Only use ‘who’ to refer to people. Use ‘which, to refer to inanimate objects such as organisations. For example:

• ‘People who believe in …’
• ‘Organisations which damage the environment …’

To practice or practise?

These two words are often mixed up. For example:

• practise (verb): ‘The tennis players practised all day.’
• practice (noun): ‘The law practice catered for all types of cases.’