Could vs. Would

You would be foolish to skip the step of proofreading a document. Your text could contain typos, inconsistencies, or other blunders that make you look stupid. Don’t be stupid. To start, use the words “could” and “would” correctly.

“Could” and “would” need to be dissected. Both words are past tense.

“Could” is the past tense of “can.” “Would” is the past tense of “will.”

There are complex phrases, such as “past plural,” “present participle,” and “past participle” that more specifically describe exactly which tense is the appropriate label for the words “could” and “would.”

Since I’m not in the “confusing you” business, for all intents and purposes, “past tense” will work.

Tip: The minute the words “could” and “would” begin to confuse you, immediately review what each word means in the present tense. “Can” and “will” clearly do not express the same meaning.

“Can” refers to “the ability to do something.”

“Will” refers to “the intention or determination to do something.”

Could

When you use the word “could,” you describe actual ability.

In the Old Testament, the pair are “Cain and Abel.” When writing, pair “can” and “able” to ensure that you are using the word “could” properly.

Would

If an action is optional, based on one’s intent, “would” is most likely the correct word to use. Is the person willing? Is it a possible option?

Willing + Option = Would

I think Oprah would call this explanation an “Ah-ha!” moment.

Of course Oprah could call this chapter anything that she wants (she has the ability to speak), but I am proposing that she would. After reading the information in this chapter, it is probable that she would be willing to label it an “Ah-ha!” moment.

Carefully proofread your text. “Would” and “could” are not used interchangeably, just as “can” and “will” are not synonyms.

About the Author: Stefanie Flaxman corrects business, marketing, and educational documents in 24 hours to eliminate reputation-crushing mistakes from your writing. She's a professional proofreader and the founder of Revision Fairy® Small Business Proofreading Services. Connect with Stefanie on Twitter.

The Secret to Executing Your Writing Goals

I won’t leave you hanging. The secret to creating the best possible piece of writing is the ability to believe in yourself.

Before you click your browser’s “back” button and recoil in disgust, let me clarify that I’m not just spewing rainbows, lollipops, and unicorns at you. “Think positive” and “do your best” may seem like empty proclamations, but you can turn those optimistic assertions into an actual writing tool, as pertinent as a word processor, a keyboard, and your phalanges.

There’s no shortcut to brilliant writing. A flawless final product emerges from talent, creativity, and meticulous proofreading. Believing in your abilities without action will not yield results. The practice of optimism helps ignite a passion that transforms your intentions into an artistic arrangement of words. It’s the beginning of your story as a writer.

Optimism as a writing instrument is a two-part strategy that consists of theory and mechanics.

Here’s an exercise. Think of all the films that you’ve never heard of or seen. I’ll throw a title out there as a starting point: The Room. The Room is arguably one of the worst movies ever made—horrible acting, inconsistencies galore, nonsensical plot. However, the DVD of The Room features a Q&A with writer, director, producer, and star of the film, Tommy Wiseau, and he states one thing that does make sense.

Wiseau explains that he had an idea for a screenplay that he wanted to write and that writing it wasn’t enough for him—he wanted to actually turn the screenplay into a film. Wiseau wasn’t concerned with what critics would say. He didn’t care if anyone “got” his idea. He made his own reality. And the result? The Room doesn’t have to be known as one of the best movies ever made, but it is known. It has a nationwide cult following who attend midnight screenings of the cinematic disaster and excitedly venture to sold-out talks featuring Wiseau and his cast.

What would have happened if Wiseau kept the plot of The Room, as incoherent as it may be, in his thoughts? Nothing. Instead, he believed in himself and executed his plan accordingly.

You have to make yourself invincible. There’s no amount of handholding, five-fives, or pats on the back that can achieve that for you.

No matter what you do, someone is going to disagree with your viewpoint or simply not like it. Don’t write for those individuals. Write because you’re passionate about a subject. That’s all you need. Tommy Wiseau may not have envisioned that those who enjoy bad movies would appreciate his film, but nonetheless his vision found an audience.

Everyone has avoided a task that he or she wants to accomplish. Feeling guilty about this lack of action is pointless. But when you’re ready, and looking for inspiration, focus on the possibilities that lie ahead once you take the initiative to reach your goal, rather than the excuses (it will be difficult, it will take a long time, I don’t have the energy, etc.) that keep you in procrastination mode.

What project have you been putting off?

About the Author: Stefanie Flaxman corrects business, marketing, and educational documents in 24 hours to eliminate reputation-crushing mistakes from your writing. She's a professional proofreader and the founder of Revision Fairy® Small Business Proofreading Services. Connect with Stefanie on Twitter.

Accept vs. Except

A proofreader excitedly analyzes your text with a discerning eye that corrects blemishes. If you instinctively choose the correct word, there’s less dirt to dust off your writing—giving you more time to focus on your subject matter. Let’s take a look at two words that end with the four letters “c-e-p-t.”

Since “accept” and “except” each begin with different letters, one can easily identify that these are indeed two distinct words. The relaxed, mindful writer clearly knows the appropriate context for each of these words. However, when one is caught up in translating an idea from her mind into coherent words on a computer screen, the creative process can often take priority over grammar, spelling, and word choice.

There are many ways to use the verb “accept.” All we need to examine, though, is why “accept” is a different word from “except” and how to employ each word to transcribe the meaning that you intend to convey.

The verb “accept” means “to take in, receive.”

The word “except” is not a verb. It belongs to the second-tier of parts of speech (noun, verb, and adjective belong to the first-tier).

“Except” can be used as a preposition, a conjunction, or an idiom. But who cares about that? In each form, the word “except” is utilized to mean “with the exclusion of ____.”

Accept

When using the word “accept,” associate it with the word “acceptance”—you take something in, you receive something, you accept something.

Accept --> Acceptance --> Take In

Except

When you use the word “except,” you want to signify “exclude.”

Except --> Exclude --> Leave Out

Don’t be paranoid about mistakes; accept that they will appear in your writing, and take the necessary steps to eliminate them before you release your final product. Even if you think that the confusion of two words is idiotic, it’s important not to take any word for granted when you’re proofreading.

About the Author: Stefanie Flaxman corrects business, marketing, and educational documents in 24 hours to eliminate reputation-crushing mistakes from your writing. She's a professional proofreader and the founder of Revision Fairy® Small Business Proofreading Services. Connect with Stefanie on Twitter.

Compliment vs. Complement

Typos aren’t always glaring errors, such as the insertion of erroneous letters (i.e. “errroneaious”). A proofreader also ensures that each word that you type is the most appropriate. Similar words may convey different meanings.

The two distinct words “compliment” and “complement” are essentially pronounced in the same way (especially if one is mumbling) and essentially spelled the same way—there’s only one letter that is different.

The word “compliment” is a noun and verb.

The word “complement” is a noun and verb.

You’re thinking, “How is this going to help me tell these words apart? I want to know why they are different, not similar.”

We will get there, but the good news is that while each word can be used as two parts of speech, when you understand the noun-usage of these words, the verb-usage of these words is logical.

The verb-usage of both “compliment” and “complement” transforms the noun-form into an action.

A “compliment (noun)” is an “expression of praise.” When you “compliment (verb)” someone, you tell her an expression of praise.

A “complement (noun)” is “something that completes something else.” When something “complements (verb)” something else it “makes it whole/adds value to it.”

See? Easy. You really only need to learn one definition for each word.

Most people have a separate drawer for socks, a separate drawer for t-shirts, a separate drawer for sweaters, etc. Think of the following as a separate drawer for “compliment,” and a separate drawer for “complement.”

Compliment

“I like the outfit that you have on” is a compliment. The word “compliment” that is spelled with the letter “i” should remind you of saying “I like”—the phrase that you begin with when you give someone a compliment.

Complement

A “complement” “completes, or makes whole”. Complement. Complete. Get it?

The next time that you need a proofreader to review your writing, Revision Fairy® Small Business Proofreading Services is the perfect complement.

About the Author: Stefanie Flaxman corrects business, marketing, and educational documents in 24 hours to eliminate reputation-crushing mistakes from your writing. She's a professional proofreader and the founder of Revision Fairy® Small Business Proofreading Services. Connect with Stefanie on Twitter.

Precede vs. Proceed

When proofreading a document, think of the words “precede” and “proceed” as opposites. Leave it to the English language to create two words with similar pronunciations, but quite individual meanings.

“Precede” is “to go before.” It is a verb.

“Proceed” is also a verb, but it is used to signify “carry on, continue, move forward.”

What are the opposite stages of a makeover? Before and after.

Precede” is “before,” and “proceed” is “after.” Here’s some more reinforcement.

Precede

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) was a “prequel” to the original Star Wars film (1977).

The events that took place during Episode I came before (or preceded) Star Wars. Prequel. Precede.

Proceed

Think of “proceed” as “proactive, taking initiative.”

“Proceed” is spelled with a sequence of two of the letter “e”, similarly to the word “speed.”

Proceed --> Speed --> Speed Pushes You Forward

If you'd like to proceed to the next chapter before next week, check out the anti-grammar ebook Revision Fairy Tales in its entirety.

About the Author: Stefanie Flaxman corrects business, marketing, and educational documents in 24 hours to eliminate reputation-crushing mistakes from your writing. She's a professional proofreader and the founder of Revision Fairy® Small Business Proofreading Services. Connect with Stefanie on Twitter.

Premier vs. Premiere

When you’re a proofreader, you see the same mistakes frequently. In my anti-grammar ebook, Revision Fairy Tales: 21 Writing Mistakes You’ll Never Make Again, I outline common mistakes that can be easily avoided with a little clarification.

Each week, I’ll share a “tale” from my book to eliminate your confusion about each pair of similar words. Choose the proper word when you write your first draft, and you’ll have fewer errors to fix later.

Premier vs. Premiere

Who would have thought that a little “e” could make such a big difference? Well, it does.

The adjective “premier” means “first-rate, best, number one in its class.”

The noun “premiere” means “the first public showing of an event.”

"Premier” may be used as an adjective or a noun, while “premiere” may be used as a noun, a verb used with an object, a verb used without an object, and an adjective.

Wait for it, wait for it … Huh? Let me break it down for you.

Premier

“Premier,” as an adjective, is the most common usage of the word that gets confused with “premiere.”

The adjective “premier” is used to describe “the best ____”:

How would you describe your company?

“Bamboo Emporium” is the premier outlet for premium bamboo stalks from around the globe.

Tip: Premier = premium. Both words do not end with the letter “e”.

“Premier,” as a noun, is less common. The term describes a person who is first in rank.

For example, a “premier” may be a chief executive officer or a president of a company.

Premiere

“Premiere,” as a noun, is “the first showing of an event.” “Premiere,” as other parts of speech, conveys a similar meaning.

“Premiere” as a verb with an object:

• “When will you debut your new paintings?”
• “You can see them on Saturday when I premiere my new exhibit at the Corner Gallery.”

“Premiere” as a verb without an object:

• “What is the occasion for the event on Friday?”
• “Oh, *Insert Awesome Movie Title Here* will premiere.”

“Premiere” as an adjective is similar to its noun-form:

• I’m excited for the premiere showing of *Insert Awesome Movie Title Here* on Friday.

Tip: Premiere = movie premiere. The words “premiere” and “movie” both end with the letter “e”.

Do you see how each word has distinct circumstances for its use?

To download the complete set of Revision Fairy Tales, click here. If you’re the patient-type, check back weekly for proofreading service secrets.

About the Author: Stefanie Flaxman corrects business, marketing, and educational documents in 24 hours to eliminate reputation-crushing mistakes from your writing. She's a professional proofreader and the founder of Revision Fairy® Small Business Proofreading Services. Connect with Stefanie on Twitter.