How e.g. and i.e. are different.

The proper uses of ‘e.g.’ and ‘i.e.’ can be confusing. They are the remnants of a fashion for using Latin phrases in English writing and have been reinforced through use even though hardly anyone really knows what they stand for.

In the first place, therefore, it is very helpful to know that ‘e.g.’ stands for exempli gratia, which literally translates as ‘for example.’ ‘i.e.’ stands for id est, which literally means ‘that is.’ Given that perfectly logical phrases exist in English that can transmit precisely the same meaning, should you have any trouble remembering the differences between e.g. and i.e., it really is better to avoid them.

Should I use ‘who’ or ‘whom’?

This is one of the most common grammatical mistakes of all and one I come across very frequently when editing work at all levels. The problem seems to arise from the fact that, unlike other common grammatical constructs, the word ‘whom’ is not very often used in day-to-day life. In fact, its use is often omitted entirely in both spoken English and informal writing, leading to widespread confusion regarding the substitution of ‘whom’ or ‘whomever’ for ‘who’ or ‘whoever’.

Common Writing Mistakes, Part 1

When editing and proofreading, there are a whole host of mistakes I come across that are commonly repeated. Some of these are major grammatical errors, whereas others are simply small mistakes which make a piece look untidy, and can result in dropped marks with a more selective tutor. Below is a summary of those which I find to occur most commonly, with a rough guide to how important it is to rectify such mistakes.