Don’t Get Caught Making These 10 Common Writing Mistakes, Or Else
I know, right? Rules sometimes hinder creativity. This is the reason why some writers don’t like to follow rules on grammar and sentence construction. It’s so hard to play with words if you have to think about the restrictions. But if you 're writing a book or a formal paper, then you need to stick to the rules. There’s no other way to do it since you 're writing for a larger audience and much more formal audience.
Now, if you think it’s too much to remember the eight parts of speech, then you need these 10 things to live by as a writer. These are short but meaty details on the most common mistakes in writing. Now, you don’t have to take note of all the rules, all the time. But all you have to do is remember these blunders and avoid them every time. Are you ready to discover them?
1. Misspelled words are messy. Yikes! This should be avoided at all costs. Nothing more shouts unprofessional than a misspelled word. So don’t let your image be tainted just because of spelling errors. What can you do? Every time you 're confused or doubtful about a spelling, look it up in a comprehensive dictionary. You can go traditional or click your way online through different types of dictionaries. Most of all, you might want to use spell checkers and various proofreading software. Or, you can also look up some of the most commonly misspelled words and take note of their correct form. Always be on the lookout, remember that one word’s spelling can make a big difference. 2. Catastrophes on apostrophes are common too. When we hear the word apostrophe, hesitation slowly caves in. There are some instances that we’re not sure how to use it but we don’t want to be corrected so we just kept mum. However, you can just use these simple rules, along with some exceptions, to make sure your use of apostrophe is correct. 1. Use apostrophe when you indicate contraction. i. Of the clock – o’clock ii. Do not – Don’t iii. They are – They’re iv. It is - It’s 2. Use apostrophe when you indicate possession. i. Wilma’s house ii. The author’s book… 3. Apostrophe exceptions: a. If the subject has a name ending with an “s”, then you can: i. Follow the formal rule and add another “s” after the apostrophe. (Example: Bridget Jones’s Diary) ii. Drop the final “s”. (Example: Bridget Jones’ Diary) b. If the subject is plural, put the apostrophe after the “s”. (Example: Drivers’ papers) 3. There’s a need to slice the comma splice. Have you ever tried putting a comma in between two independent clauses that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction? Then you 're guilty of committing a comma splice. However, if you have omitted a comma where it belongs, then you have committed an error called run-on sentence. Wondering how to make them right? There are five strategies you can do. 1. Use a period when writing two sentences (to be safe). 2. Use a semicolon when you think it’s appropriate. 3. Use the combo: comma + coordinating conjunctions (i.e. and, or, nor, but, for, so, and yet). 4. Make …show more content…
Misplaced and dangling modifiers can be a horror.
Do you know what’s a modifier? It’s a word, a phrase or a clause that provides a description in a sentence. It can be an adjective, an adverb, an absolute phrase, an infinitive phrase, a participle phrase, and a prepositional phrase. You know what’s more? Without these modifiers, your sentences will be boring and no fun to read.
6. Word choice errors aren’t cool.
Just because a word sounds fancy doesn’t mean you can use it anyway you want. Your word choice shouldn’t compromise the quality of your writing. So, again, if you 're not sure about its meaning, then keep a dictionary at your side or search for the meaning online. Anyway, if you really want to use a fancy word, you can always look for a synonym because it always works too.
7. Misuse of semicolon should be put off.
According to grammar rules, a semicolon is a half-comma and a half-period. As a strong comma, it should be used to provide strong separation of two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction or to separate a series of phrases or clauses with internal
I know, right? Rules sometimes hinder creativity. This is the reason why some writers don’t like to follow rules on grammar and sentence construction. It’s so hard to play with words if you have to think about the restrictions. But if you 're writing a book or a formal paper, then you need to stick to the rules. There’s no other way to do it since you 're writing for a larger audience and much more formal audience.
Now, if you think it’s too much to remember the eight parts of speech, then you need these 10 things to live by as a writer. These are short but meaty details on the most common mistakes in writing. Now, you don’t have to take note of all the rules, all the time. But all you have to do is remember these blunders and avoid them every time. Are you ready to discover them?
1. Misspelled words are messy. Yikes! This should be avoided at all costs. Nothing more shouts unprofessional than a misspelled word. So don’t let your image be tainted just because of spelling errors. What can you do? Every time you 're confused or doubtful about a spelling, look it up in a comprehensive dictionary. You can go traditional or click your way online through different types of dictionaries. Most of all, you might want to use spell checkers and various proofreading software. Or, you can also look up some of the most commonly misspelled words and take note of their correct form. Always be on the lookout, remember that one word’s spelling can make a big difference. 2. Catastrophes on apostrophes are common too. When we hear the word apostrophe, hesitation slowly caves in. There are some instances that we’re not sure how to use it but we don’t want to be corrected so we just kept mum. However, you can just use these simple rules, along with some exceptions, to make sure your use of apostrophe is correct. 1. Use apostrophe when you indicate contraction. i. Of the clock – o’clock ii. Do not – Don’t iii. They are – They’re iv. It is - It’s 2. Use apostrophe when you indicate possession. i. Wilma’s house ii. The author’s book… 3. Apostrophe exceptions: a. If the subject has a name ending with an “s”, then you can: i. Follow the formal rule and add another “s” after the apostrophe. (Example: Bridget Jones’s Diary) ii. Drop the final “s”. (Example: Bridget Jones’ Diary) b. If the subject is plural, put the apostrophe after the “s”. (Example: Drivers’ papers) 3. There’s a need to slice the comma splice. Have you ever tried putting a comma in between two independent clauses that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction? Then you 're guilty of committing a comma splice. However, if you have omitted a comma where it belongs, then you have committed an error called run-on sentence. Wondering how to make them right? There are five strategies you can do. 1. Use a period when writing two sentences (to be safe). 2. Use a semicolon when you think it’s appropriate. 3. Use the combo: comma + coordinating conjunctions (i.e. and, or, nor, but, for, so, and yet). 4. Make …show more content…
Misplaced and dangling modifiers can be a horror.
Do you know what’s a modifier? It’s a word, a phrase or a clause that provides a description in a sentence. It can be an adjective, an adverb, an absolute phrase, an infinitive phrase, a participle phrase, and a prepositional phrase. You know what’s more? Without these modifiers, your sentences will be boring and no fun to read.
6. Word choice errors aren’t cool.
Just because a word sounds fancy doesn’t mean you can use it anyway you want. Your word choice shouldn’t compromise the quality of your writing. So, again, if you 're not sure about its meaning, then keep a dictionary at your side or search for the meaning online. Anyway, if you really want to use a fancy word, you can always look for a synonym because it always works too.
7. Misuse of semicolon should be put off.
According to grammar rules, a semicolon is a half-comma and a half-period. As a strong comma, it should be used to provide strong separation of two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction or to separate a series of phrases or clauses with internal