Sir, - Despite the widespread use of word processors, spelling standards continue to deteriorate. Most word processors include a spelling verifier. Is it too much to ask that this facility is used before: a piece of text is distributed to a wider audience? This would aid the improvement of general spelling standards.
For example, there seems to be at least three commonly accepted misspellings of the word "accommodation". A simple spell check on a word processor will eliminate this problem, and improve the perceived and actual quality of the message.
The spelling verifier is, however, powerless against some other errors. There is increasing incidence of incorrect use of "its" and "it's". This has reached the point where the incorrect form is becoming acceptable.
"It's" is an abbreviation for "it is" and substitution of the long form will easily show which variation should be used. Failing this, invest in a sophisticated word processor with a grammar checker - they do exist, and will catch the error before the final version is issued! - Yours, etc.,
Landscape Park,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.