This list isn't meant to be a complete course in English usage and grammar. Rather, it's a compilation of common mistakes we've seen in fanfic. Take a look at the list below. Do you make any of these mistakes? If so, here's a chance to learn the rules, with an L&C twist, of course. :)
Don't see your "pet peeve" listed in the examples below? Click here to submit it to us. Maybe we'll add it to the list! Put "Crash Course" in the subject line.
Punctuation should go inside the quote marks when writing dialogue.
"Lois, I love you," whispered Clark.
"Jimmy," Perry called, "where is my coffee?"
Don't add a comma if the quote ends with a question mark or exclamation point. (In other words, don't use double punctuation.)
WRONG: "Clark, what in the world are you doing?", asked Lois.
RIGHT: "Clark, what in the world are you doing?" asked Lois.
In general, when you pronounce the possessive s, then it is included in the written form. Thus, the possessive of Lois is Lois's.
Clark poured Lois's stale coffee into the sink.
"Alright" is not a word. "All right" is the proper spelling.
"Irregardless" is not a word. "Regardless" should be used instead.
"Accept" means to receive a thing offered, or to agree to something.
Lois accepted her seventh Kerth nomination proudly.
"Except" means to exclude or exempt. It is also a preposition.
Everyone except Superman ran when the gunmen appeared.
"Affect" (as a verb) means to influence or act upon.
"This Kryptonite is fake! It doesn't affect Superman!"
"Effect" (as a noun) means the result or outcome.
The effects of the earthquake were seen throughout the city.
"Effect" (as a verb) means to accomplish or bring about.
"The new mayor of Metropolis promises to effect many changes."
"Elicit" is a verb, meaning to draw forth or extract.
Lois laughed, eliciting a warm smile from Clark in return.
"Illicit" is an adjective, meaning illegal or forbidden.
"I have never carried on an illicit affair with Lois Lane," said Superman.
"Lose" is a verb, meaning to misplace or fail to keep.
Clark was worried that he would lose Lois if he told her his secret.
"Loose" means free, unrestrained or not firmly fastened.
Clark pulled his tie loose as he prepared to spin into the suit.
"There" - many uses.
"There you are, Clark. I was looking for you."
"Plug your laptop in over there, and pull up the story."
"Their" is the possessive case of they.
When Lois and Clark came home, they hung up their coats in the closet.
"They're" is the contraction for they are.
"They're going to check on a source," Jimmy told Perry.
"Through" is a preposition.
Superman looked through the wall with his x-ray vision.
"Threw" is the past tense of throw.
Lois threw the Kryptonite as far away from Superman as she could.
"Who's" is the contraction for who is.
"OK, who's going to the fund-raiser tonight," Perry asked at the staff meeting.
"Whose" is the possessive case of who.
"Whose folders are these?" Jimmy asked, holding them up.
"You're" is the contraction for you are.
"Lois," said Clark, "you're the one I've been looking for all my life."
"Your" is the possessive case of you.
"Lois, can I borrow your car this weekend?" asked Jimmy.
"Practical English and the Command of Words", copyright 1990, The English Language Institute of America.
"Webster's Illustrated Contemporary Dictionary", copyright 1992, J. G. Ferguson Publishing Company.
