@Knorr I was thinking the same thing with "infer vs imply." I thought it would be difficult to detect or make rules for that. I am mostly just reporting the most common errors that are made grammar wise. Maybe a future LT could make use of them.
I discovered more errors and these might be the trickier ones.
Apostrophes to Show Possession
The fairies wings glistened in the moonlight.
----> The fairies' wings glistened in the moonlight.
The horses hay is damp.
----> The horses' hay is damp.
The ladies toilets are out of bounds.
----> The ladies' toilets are out of bounds.
Plural exception rules:
My watch was stolen from the men changing room.
----> My watch was stolen from the men's changing room.
All television is childrens television.
----> All television is children's television.
Singular exception to the Rule:
Singular words like Charles, Wales, Paris, Dickens can end with ' or 's when showing possession. (My God English! Why are you so mean when it comes to possession?!?!)
It is Charles birthday. ----> It is Charle's birthday. or It is Charles' birthday.
Phrases - singular or plural
A box of nails are under the stairs.
----> A box of nails is under the stairs.
(box is singular)
The boxes of nails is under the stairs.
-----> The boxes of nails are under the stairs.
(boxes = plural)
A combination of factors were the cause of the crash.
----> A combination of factors was the cause of the crash.
(combination is singular)
A combination of factors are the cause of the crash.
----> A combination of factors is the cause of the crash.
(is/are and was/were can be interchanged)
principal vs principle
principal = teacher/head/main/key
principle = belief/theory/code/law
The principle objective is to make a profit.
------> The principal objective is to make a profit.
The inspector highlighted my principle concern in his opening sentence.
----> The inspector highlighted my principal concern in his opening sentence.
Here comes the principle.
-----> Here comes the principal.
The allegations against the former principle were that he not only allowed the cage fights to take place, but he also he egged on the participants.
-----> The allegations against the former principal were that he not only allowed the cage fights to take place, but he also he egged on the participants.
No! It is against my principals!
---->No! It is against my principles!
Those are my principal. If you don't like them, I have others.
---->Those are my principle. If you don't like them, I have others.
You are the principle culprit behind these misdemeanors. Go and stand outside Principle Beckett's office. You need to re-evaluate your principals.
------>You are the principal culprit behind these misdemeanors. Go and stand outside Principal Beckett's office. You need to re-evaluate your principles.
Your low profile and out-of-touch principals are the principal areas for us to develop.
----->Your low profile and out-of-touch principles are the principal areas for us to develop.
precede vs proceed
To precede means to come before (usually in time).
To proceed means to go forwards or to continue.
King George VI proceeded Queen Elizabeth II.
---->King George VI preceded Queen Elizabeth II.
The professor will proceed the first lecture with his opening remarks.
---->The professor will precede the first lecture with his opening remarks.
The flight simulator is unable to replicate the airframe shudder that proceeds the stall.
---->The flight simulator is unable to replicate the airframe shudder that precedes the stall.
Strong convictions always proceed great actions.
------>Strong convictions always precede great actions.
When proceeds = profit:
Have you spent the precede from the disco already?
----->Have you spent the proceeds from the disco already?
Colon vs Semicolon
semicolon - New ideas are introduced by a new sentence or, if you want a smooth transition between the sentences, a semicolon.
Colon - A colon can be used to introduce some more information about something mentioned earlier in the sentence.
He wanted just one thing; revenge.
------>He wanted just one thing: revenge.
He knew what his wish would be; the ability to turn stones into gold.
-----> He knew what his wish would be: the ability to turn stones into gold.
(A colon is not used to introduce a new idea to a sentence.)
He wanted just one thing: he wanted it since he was boy.
----> He wanted just one thing; he wanted it since he was boy.
or
----> He wanted just one thing. He wanted it since he was boy.
The cat's fur was found in two rooms; the bedroom and the kitchen.
His success is attributed to one thing; determination.
------>The cat's fur was found in two rooms: the bedroom and the kitchen. His success is attributed to one thing: determination.
It is by the fortune of God that we have three benefits; freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the wisdom never to use either.
------>It is by the fortune of God that we have three benefits: freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the wisdom never to use either.
He will be the winner of Loughborough's oldest award; the Arthur Scotland Trophy.
------>He will be the winner of Loughborough's oldest award: the Arthur Scotland Trophy.
Ian had caught 3 fish; a perch and 2 gudgeon.
------>Ian had caught 3 fish: a perch and 2 gudgeon.
Ian had caught 3 fish: this was the first time he had been fishing.
(You cannot use a colon to introduce a new idea.)
----->Ian had caught 3 fish; this was the first time he had been fishing.
Janice liked to talk: she often exaggerated.
----->Janice liked to talk; she often exaggerated.
or
----->Janice liked to talk. She often exaggerated
I have made an important discovery; alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities, produces all the effects of intoxication.
--->I have made an important discovery: alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities, produces all the effects of intoxication.
In this world, there are only two tragedies; one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.
----->In this world, there are only two tragedies: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.
Dot arrived late at Roger's dinner party: she was determined to punish him for scoffing at her when she said, "she had nothing to wear."
----> Dot arrived late at Roger's dinner party; she was determined to punish him for scoffing at her when she said, "she had nothing to wear."
or
-----> Dot arrived late at Roger's dinner party. She was determined to punish him for scoffing at her when she said, "she had nothing to wear."
