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Originally Posted by rhadin
I agree in general, but I wonder what most readers consider a "simple" spelling mistake. For example, do most readers consider "seamed" in this sentence a misspelling or a usage error: "She seamed to be older than she appeared."? Contrast seamed/seemed with affected/effected.
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In your example, I'd say that "seamed" is a simple spelling error. Unless I saw it more than once; then I'd want to throw the book across the room. Confusion of affect/effect I would consider a usage error. Obviously it's quite subjective.
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I find separating usage from spelling errors to be very difficult because both affect understanding and meaning. The it's/its combination strikes me as more a misspelling than a usage error, although I have no sound basis for making such a distinction with those words as opposed to other combinations.
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While it's possible that it's/its confusion is just a spelling error, it's one of those common mistakes I expect the writer/editor/proofreader to be especially aware of. So I expect them to fix it, and if they don't, I blame them for ignorance. Like "between you and I," or--my pet peeve--misuse of lie/lay (that one may be a losing battle, though).