18 Common Sayings That We Use In Our Writing And Always Get Wrong
Have you ever found yourself using in your writing what you think are common sayings only to find out later that you totally got them wrong?
And not just in what you wrote today – but how you say them in conversation every day?
I know I have – more than I care to admit!
If you haven't yet, you will by the time you finish reading this post. Sorry, but it's true. For example, how many times have you written something like this in a blog, book, magazine article, text message, social media post, or another form of written content?
"This case is pretty cut and dry."
"I could care less if you come or not."
"I'm just biting my time."
We may think this is the correct way to write these common sayings. We also speak them the exact same way. In reality, they've been butchered pretty badly. Want to know how to write them correctly, as well as learn what else you've been writing and saying wrong this whole time? Then please keep reading.
18 common sayings that we use in our writing and always get wrong
What you wrote: Cut and dry
What you should have written: Cut and dried
What you wrote: Wet your appetite
What you should have written: Whet your appetite
What you wrote: Peak my interest
What you should have written: Pique my interest
What you wrote: Could care less
What you should have written: Couldn't care less
What you wrote: One in the same
What you should have written: One and the same
What you wrote: Nip it in the butt
What you should have written: Nip it in the bud
What you wrote: For all intensive purposes
What you should have written: For all intents and purposes
What you wrote: Biting my time
What you should have written: Biding my time
What you wrote: Passes mustard
What you should have written: Passes muster
What you wrote: By and large
What you should have written: By in large
What you wrote: Slight of hand
What you should have written: Sleight of hand
What you wrote: Deep-seeded
What you should have written: Deep-seated
What you wrote: Baited breath
What you should have written: Bated breath
What you wrote: Mute point
What you should have written: Moot point
What you wrote: Shoe-in
What you should have written: Shoo-in
What you wrote: Beckon call
What you should have written: Beck and call
What you wrote: Scott-free
What you should have written: Scot-free
What you wrote: Case and point
What you should have written: Case in point
Call Edit This in Denton, TX, for all your writing and editing needs
It's fun to tease friends on Facebook for grammar mistakes or point out errors in other written copy. But any spelling or grammar error in business writing – brochures, website copy, blog posts, press releases, newsletters, etc. – wreak havoc on your company's image.
In fact, studies consistently show that when choosing between two companies, customers prefer the one with clear and error-free written communication.
We hope you enjoyed today's blog. If you're interested in having Edit This handle your company's content writing and editing needs, give us a call today! We can write content from scratch or spruce up what you've already written. When it comes to grammar, everyone could use an extra set of eyes.
*STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This, a writing and editing services company located in Denton, TX. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.