We’ve all likely fallen victims to the AutoCorrect feature when text messaging. It can be quite amusing at times but also potentially confusing or harmful to your relationships. There are even a couple websites devoted to funny text messages. So if you want a laugh today, go to damnyouautocorrect.com or watch some funny “Clumsy Thumbsy” moments with Ellen DeGeneres.

In my role as production manager, it has become second nature for me to proofread everything from my emails to client work to tent cards at restaurants. I personally think we have all become a little too dependent on the convenient features of our phones and computers. To prove my point, how many of you can recite from memory 10 phone numbers you call on a regular basis?

There are some simple things we can all do when writing to prevent being the next joke on Facebook or having to explain yourself to your mother-in-law or apologize to a client. First of all, do not rely on spell check as your only proofing tool! It will not be able to determine that you really meant to write “loose” not “lose.” It’s a helpful tool but it should not be trusted catch all misspellings, word usage mistakes and grammatical errors. Here are my best tips for preventing those embarrassing typos:

1. Print out a hard copy and read it line-for-line if you are trying to proof from your computer screen. People tend to scan a screen and their mind fills in the blanks. Reading from another format is especially important when proofing long or technical copy. This is also a good time to pay close attention to headlines and major headings where many errors go unnoticed.

2. Read it aloud. You may hear a problem that you didn’t catch reading. It also helps you evaluate the tone of the copy.

3. Check all your facts. That means taking the time to call all the phone numbers, check out the addresses and log onto the websites.

4. Give it to someone else to read. Someone who can read it over from a fresh perspective will often find errors that you missed.

5. Give it a rest. If you have the luxury of a little time, it helps to put it aside for a while and then reread it. It helps prevent your brain from reading what you think you wrote and filling in words.

 Betty Ann Krischan is a production manager at Travers Collins.