"Their advice was to spell out numbers below 10."
That's correct, but I just saw an online, so-called "grammar guide" have it wrong.... I don't know where some of this stuff comes from!
Just my opinion.... DO NOT rely on spell and grammar check programs to be accurate! They generally can't "read" context, and are just as likely to either let an error go by or tell you that something is wrong when it's not. For example, semi-colons are very useful pieces of punctuation, but many spell checkers spit them out. One of the biggest problems I've found is that they often can't recognize the difference between its and it's; they're, their, and there; between possessives and plurals, etc. I can usually read a long-ish piece of copy and know right off if the writer used spell and grammar check....
Best thing you can do if you're not sure about grammar and usage is to get a basic English grammar primer and a style guide. I've always used the "Chicago Manual of Style" for publication writing, but I'd guess that most MSCs go by the "AP Stylebook."
There's just no substitute for learning and knowing proper grammar, spelling, and usage so you don't have to rely on "spell check." That being said, I sometimes do use it, but not often. I proofread and edit my reports the old-fashioned way! And the best way to do that is to, if you have time, finish your report and save it, but don't submit right away. Then go back later and re-read it. You'll often catch things you didn't spot the first (or second) time around.
(What's really frustrating is to get "marked down" on a report, but your editor's comments are laden with errors of grammar and usage!)
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/10/2013 02:48PM by BirdyC.