Every editor has their pet peeves. Here are some of mine. These errors make me cringe and want to crawl into a hole.
1. Use of the word “adult” as a verb (e.g. “I don’t want to adult today,” or “Saying ‘We have food at home’ is part of adulting.”) People, “adult” is not a verb. It can be used as a noun (“I am a responsible adult.”) or an adjective (“This is an adult concert, so you have to be eighteen to attend.”). It is not a verb! I used to see this garbage on Facebook all the time. Stop. Stop! STOP!
2. Comma splices, also known as run-on sentences. These occur when two sentences are joined improperly by a comma. For example: “I didn’t go to the county fair yesterday, I wasn’t feeling well.” The proper way to deal with a comma splice is to either break it up into two sentences (“I didn’t go the county fair yesterday. I wasn’t feeling well.”) or replace the comma with a semicolon (“I didn’t go to the county fair yesterday; I wasn’t feeling well.). One caveat about the semicolon: Only use it if the two phrases it joins are complete sentences.
3. Misspelling of the word “appalled.” I cannot tell you how many times on Facebook I have seen “I am appauled at your audacity,” or something to that effect. Please don’t put the name Paul in “appalled,” because then you are stealing from Peter to pay Paul. (Hardy har har!)
4. Confusion of the words “affect” and “effect.” “Affect” with an “A” is a verb. It means to impact or change. (“The movie affected me by making me depressed.”) “Effect” with an “E” is a noun. It means the result of a change. (“The movie’s effect on me was profound sadness.”) It’s really not that hard, is it?
Please don’t call me a hypocrite, because I already know that I am one; I wrote a post months ago on not being a grammar snob. (See how I used the semicolon properly?) However, every editor needs to vent once in a blue moon.