It’s almost cute how some wannabe writers try to emulate literacy. It usually shows up in more than a few misused words that are homophones (or close homophones) with whatever word they are groping for or other word misuses indicating a lack of familiarity with well-written text. . . or a dictionary, for that matter. Oh, here’re a couple: using “appraise” for “apprise” or “reign” for “rein” (usually in “free rein” or some such). Kiddy writers who have heard (or THINK they have) a word but have apparently never read the correct word used in a proper context.
One can also just head on over to any list of misused words on the Internet and count on seeing them misused in some self-pub books written (and “edited”) by subliterate kids who’ve been awarded participation trophies all their lives (most likely including their attendance certificates called “diplomas”).
Oh, and comma splices and apostrophe abuses seem to be particular favs of 20-something subliterate kiddy “writers.”
High school grammar ought to have corrected the commandments splice problem. Its a part of what is taught in courses for the GED.
But, when high school graduates have an eighth grade reading level or worse…
That’s why I sometimes think to myself, “Wannabe 20-something writers who SHOULDN’T are definitely NOT smarter than a fifth grader.” *sigh*