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The Commonest Proofreading Error of 2008

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Lynn Gaertner-Johnston Updated on

I just received an email that reminded me of the commonest error I have been seeing in content–not in punctuation or grammar, in content. 

The email begins this way:

***Correction***The original message to you had an error regarding the day of the meeting. This notice is updated with the correct information.

The original message, which had arrived about 90 minutes earlier, announced a meeting on Thursday, January 13. Unfortunately, January 13 falls on a Tuesday.

Let's wipe out this error in 2009! Before we press Send or close the flap on a message, let's make sure any days and dates are correct. In the three seconds it takes to recheck our calendars, we can save ourselves plenty of embarrassment and dozens if not hundreds of "Correction" notices. Not to mention saving time for our readers.

Are you with me?

2017 UPDATE: I'm pleased to announce my new course Proofread Like a Pro. It features plenty of practice finding errors in content, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. 

Lynn
Syntax Training 

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By Lynn Gaertner-Johnston

Lynn Gaertner-Johnston has helped thousands of employees and managers improve their business writing skills and confidence through her company, Syntax Training. In her corporate training career of more than 20 years, she has worked with executives, engineers, scientists, sales staff, and many other professionals, helping them get their messages across with clarity and tact.

A gifted teacher, Lynn has led writing classes at more than 100 companies and organizations such as MasterCard, Microsoft, Boeing, Nintendo, REI, AARP, Ledcor, and Kaiser Permanente. Near her home in Seattle, Washington, she has taught managerial communications in the MBA programs of the University of Washington and UW Bothell. She has created a communications course, Business Writing That Builds Relationships, and provides the curriculum at no cost to college instructors.

A recognized expert in business writing etiquette, Lynn has been quoted in "The Wall Street Journal," "The Atlantic," "Vanity Fair," and other media.

Lynn sharpened her business writing skills at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a master's degree in communication, and at Bradley University, with a bachelor's degree in English.

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