How to improve your spelling on the web?
Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2024 8:54 am
Web writing
February 26, 2024
Image created with Dall-E representing people working to stop making spelling mistakes on the internet.
Table of contents hide
1 What does Google think about spelling?
2 Instructions to stop making spelling mistakes
3 How to stop making the most common spelling mistakes?
Content is one of the three pillars of natural referencing . Relevant content on your website allows you to move up in search results and make a place for yourself in the jungle of the web.
Therefore, web writing is an increasingly sought-after skill. mexico whatsapp You may want to develop it yourself or hire a professional web writer .
But sometimes, we see language aberrations on the internet : simplified writing, approximate syntax, problematic conjugation, spelling mistakes on every line...
But why is it important to maintain good spelling on the internet? And how can you stop making spelling mistakes in practice?
Use my proofreading services!
What does Google think about spelling?
I already told you about it in a previous article : spelling is important on the web first for the user . And if it is good for the user, Google has every interest in recommending that you pay attention to spelling.
According to the article by Olivier Andrieu d'Abondance, in his "SEO Beginner's Guide" Google specifies the following points:
“Internet users appreciate well-written, easy-to-read content”
"Neglecting to write a text and leaving grammatical and spelling mistakes" is a practice to avoid.
“Using clumsy or poorly written content” is a practice to avoid.
Of course, Google's algorithm doesn't specifically spot spelling mistakes. Human readers do. The search engine pays attention to them through user experience. So you'd better improve your skills on the subject.
Yes, but how can we do it in practice?
Instructions for no longer making spelling mistakes
I see where you're going with this. You might think I'm going to give you a recipe to follow like in cooking so that you magically stop making mistakes . Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that!
On the other hand, I will give you my tips to improve your spelling . By following them, you should progress as in a video game. There is no secret: practice will allow you to make progress.
Level 1: Read!
We've been telling you (and not rehashing ^^) since primary school that you'll improve your spelling by reading books.
Spoiler: it's true.
This is probably the main reason why I have never had any major difficulty with spelling. I have been reading a lot since CP.
Mind you, I'm not saying this works for everyone. Maybe it doesn't work for you at all.
In my opinion, for this to bear fruit, it is essential to pay attention to what you read . Turns of phrase, agreements, syntax... It is another way of reading that will also allow you to improve your vocabulary .
Level 2: “you don’t have the basics”
To correct yourself, it is essential to know your common mistakes :
Are you forgetting the rule of agreement with the verb "avoir"?
Do you omit the "s" in the plural?
Do you confuse some homonyms?
Do you forget the hyphen between certain words?
Are you making syntax errors on certain terms?
Start by spotting spelling mistakes that you make regularly. You can ask someone to help you with this by proofreading them.
The second step is to review the rule that corresponds to your mistakes. You probably missed something when you learned it in elementary school.
For me, the best way to stop making mistakes is to understand the rule behind it . Something we are not always taught (correctly) at school.
You can take your Bescherelle or go to the Projet Voltaire website , "spelling questions" tab. You will normally find all the French rules there.
It also works if you're unsure about a spelling rule you don't use often. This site is my best friend in that case!
Read also: Small glossary of web writing
Level 3: Do exercises
Once you've got the rule down, practice! I told you, there's no secret!
You may feel like you're going back to primary school, but doing exercises is still the best way to integrate a rule. Here again, the Voltaire Project can help you, as can the site françaisfacile.com .
The design is outrageous but there are tons of exercises on French rules to practice with.
If you want to improve your spelling, dictation is also an excellent way to do it
Get help!
Level 4: Proofread yourself
There are more careless mistakes than you might think: typos, punctuation, typographical errors, and even spelling mistakes. It happens to even the best of us!
No one, not even Bernard Pivot (peace to his soul), can claim to have impeccable spelling at all times and without ever proofreading.
Don't forget to proofread each time you write something: a text message (the time when text messages were paid for is over, no need to write in abbreviated form ^^), an email, a post on social networks, a blog article, a website page...
By taking the time to proofread, you can avoid many spelling mistakes .
Level 5: Write in Word or Google Doc
Word and Google Doc have gotten much better at spotting spelling and syntax errors with their built-in spell checkers .
If you are afraid of making mistakes when writing a post or article, do not hesitate to do it in the word processing software first.
It will not replace the human eye and good proofreading , but it can already help you avoid common mistakes.
I don't use it, but I know that fellow writers use Antidote , a paid grammar and spell checker that can also help you write without mistakes.
Otherwise, in the free version, there is also Scribens!
Read also: Can a web editor make you rank 1st on Google?
Bonus level: call on a proofreader
If you really see that you are not making progress or that it is getting to your head, do not hesitate to delegate this part .
You like to write , don't deprive yourself of it! But if you tend to make mistakes, hire a typo sniper to proofread and improve the syntax.
Can I help you?
How to stop making the most common spelling mistakes?
Since I'm quite nice, I'm not going to leave you like that, in trouble with your mistakes! Here's a rundown of the most common mistakes and the associated rule to stop making them:
All/all: all comes before a plural, all before a singular or a verb. Every day, everyone, you've got it all figured out
A/à: a corresponds to the verb avoir, we can replace it with avait . If this is not possible, it is à . Il a voyageur à Bordeaux = he had traveled to Bordeaux
é/ée/ées/és: probably one of the most complex grammar rules in the French language. We will only talk about the rule but there are exceptions (it is best to practice with Projet Voltaire to understand it well). With the verb être , the past participle agrees in gender and number: ces jouets sont cassés . With the auxiliary avoir , it does not agree: Marie a goûté des fraises . Unless the direct object (COD) is placed before: les fraises que Marie a goûtées
é/er: if you can replace the verb with the infinitive of a verb from the third group such as mordre or vendre , you will have to write er . If that does not work, you will have to write é . Eric va manger un fruit = he is going to sell a fruit. Il a mange un fruit = he hassellsold a fruit
La/là: la is the determinant, it must follow a noun as in la pomme . Là is used to indicate a place or something specific: he is there, this person there
Or/where: if you can replace with or (alternative), you will need to use or , if that is not possible, you will need to use where (place)
Ai/ais: ai is the mark of the future, I will go to the supermarket tomorrow . Ais is the mark of the conditional, I will go to the supermarket if I need something.
Or/hors: or is a coordinating conjunction to link two clauses. I thought this, but it is that . Hors means outside of : I am beside myself, we are out of bounds, he is out of danger…
And as a bonus, other common mistakes that are not fun to see (or hear, for that matter):
February 26, 2024
Image created with Dall-E representing people working to stop making spelling mistakes on the internet.
Table of contents hide
1 What does Google think about spelling?
2 Instructions to stop making spelling mistakes
3 How to stop making the most common spelling mistakes?
Content is one of the three pillars of natural referencing . Relevant content on your website allows you to move up in search results and make a place for yourself in the jungle of the web.
Therefore, web writing is an increasingly sought-after skill. mexico whatsapp You may want to develop it yourself or hire a professional web writer .
But sometimes, we see language aberrations on the internet : simplified writing, approximate syntax, problematic conjugation, spelling mistakes on every line...
But why is it important to maintain good spelling on the internet? And how can you stop making spelling mistakes in practice?
Use my proofreading services!
What does Google think about spelling?
I already told you about it in a previous article : spelling is important on the web first for the user . And if it is good for the user, Google has every interest in recommending that you pay attention to spelling.
According to the article by Olivier Andrieu d'Abondance, in his "SEO Beginner's Guide" Google specifies the following points:
“Internet users appreciate well-written, easy-to-read content”
"Neglecting to write a text and leaving grammatical and spelling mistakes" is a practice to avoid.
“Using clumsy or poorly written content” is a practice to avoid.
Of course, Google's algorithm doesn't specifically spot spelling mistakes. Human readers do. The search engine pays attention to them through user experience. So you'd better improve your skills on the subject.
Yes, but how can we do it in practice?
Instructions for no longer making spelling mistakes
I see where you're going with this. You might think I'm going to give you a recipe to follow like in cooking so that you magically stop making mistakes . Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that!
On the other hand, I will give you my tips to improve your spelling . By following them, you should progress as in a video game. There is no secret: practice will allow you to make progress.
Level 1: Read!
We've been telling you (and not rehashing ^^) since primary school that you'll improve your spelling by reading books.
Spoiler: it's true.
This is probably the main reason why I have never had any major difficulty with spelling. I have been reading a lot since CP.
Mind you, I'm not saying this works for everyone. Maybe it doesn't work for you at all.
In my opinion, for this to bear fruit, it is essential to pay attention to what you read . Turns of phrase, agreements, syntax... It is another way of reading that will also allow you to improve your vocabulary .
Level 2: “you don’t have the basics”
To correct yourself, it is essential to know your common mistakes :
Are you forgetting the rule of agreement with the verb "avoir"?
Do you omit the "s" in the plural?
Do you confuse some homonyms?
Do you forget the hyphen between certain words?
Are you making syntax errors on certain terms?
Start by spotting spelling mistakes that you make regularly. You can ask someone to help you with this by proofreading them.
The second step is to review the rule that corresponds to your mistakes. You probably missed something when you learned it in elementary school.
For me, the best way to stop making mistakes is to understand the rule behind it . Something we are not always taught (correctly) at school.
You can take your Bescherelle or go to the Projet Voltaire website , "spelling questions" tab. You will normally find all the French rules there.
It also works if you're unsure about a spelling rule you don't use often. This site is my best friend in that case!
Read also: Small glossary of web writing
Level 3: Do exercises
Once you've got the rule down, practice! I told you, there's no secret!
You may feel like you're going back to primary school, but doing exercises is still the best way to integrate a rule. Here again, the Voltaire Project can help you, as can the site françaisfacile.com .
The design is outrageous but there are tons of exercises on French rules to practice with.
If you want to improve your spelling, dictation is also an excellent way to do it
Get help!Level 4: Proofread yourself
There are more careless mistakes than you might think: typos, punctuation, typographical errors, and even spelling mistakes. It happens to even the best of us!
No one, not even Bernard Pivot (peace to his soul), can claim to have impeccable spelling at all times and without ever proofreading.
Don't forget to proofread each time you write something: a text message (the time when text messages were paid for is over, no need to write in abbreviated form ^^), an email, a post on social networks, a blog article, a website page...
By taking the time to proofread, you can avoid many spelling mistakes .
Level 5: Write in Word or Google Doc
Word and Google Doc have gotten much better at spotting spelling and syntax errors with their built-in spell checkers .
If you are afraid of making mistakes when writing a post or article, do not hesitate to do it in the word processing software first.
It will not replace the human eye and good proofreading , but it can already help you avoid common mistakes.
I don't use it, but I know that fellow writers use Antidote , a paid grammar and spell checker that can also help you write without mistakes.
Otherwise, in the free version, there is also Scribens!
Read also: Can a web editor make you rank 1st on Google?
Bonus level: call on a proofreader
If you really see that you are not making progress or that it is getting to your head, do not hesitate to delegate this part .
You like to write , don't deprive yourself of it! But if you tend to make mistakes, hire a typo sniper to proofread and improve the syntax.
Can I help you?
How to stop making the most common spelling mistakes?
Since I'm quite nice, I'm not going to leave you like that, in trouble with your mistakes! Here's a rundown of the most common mistakes and the associated rule to stop making them:
All/all: all comes before a plural, all before a singular or a verb. Every day, everyone, you've got it all figured out
A/à: a corresponds to the verb avoir, we can replace it with avait . If this is not possible, it is à . Il a voyageur à Bordeaux = he had traveled to Bordeaux
é/ée/ées/és: probably one of the most complex grammar rules in the French language. We will only talk about the rule but there are exceptions (it is best to practice with Projet Voltaire to understand it well). With the verb être , the past participle agrees in gender and number: ces jouets sont cassés . With the auxiliary avoir , it does not agree: Marie a goûté des fraises . Unless the direct object (COD) is placed before: les fraises que Marie a goûtées
é/er: if you can replace the verb with the infinitive of a verb from the third group such as mordre or vendre , you will have to write er . If that does not work, you will have to write é . Eric va manger un fruit = he is going to sell a fruit. Il a mange un fruit = he hassellsold a fruit
La/là: la is the determinant, it must follow a noun as in la pomme . Là is used to indicate a place or something specific: he is there, this person there
Or/where: if you can replace with or (alternative), you will need to use or , if that is not possible, you will need to use where (place)
Ai/ais: ai is the mark of the future, I will go to the supermarket tomorrow . Ais is the mark of the conditional, I will go to the supermarket if I need something.
Or/hors: or is a coordinating conjunction to link two clauses. I thought this, but it is that . Hors means outside of : I am beside myself, we are out of bounds, he is out of danger…
And as a bonus, other common mistakes that are not fun to see (or hear, for that matter):