Many writers worry too much about grammar. Don’t take that the wrong way! I’m not saying that mistakes don’t count. I am saying that many writing problems fall into other categories. In fact you might not even hear about them in school.
Here’s a list of some of those problems. If you read through this list and start thinking “Guilty as charged!” – it’s time to get to work!
- pompous writing
Some writers try to dress up their work with empty words. They write individual members instead of just members – respective teams instead of just teams – for the purpose of instead of just for – you get the idea! Don’t fall into that trap.
- inconsistent lists
There are two ways to do serial commas in a list: cake, pie, and ice cream or cake, pie and ice cream.
Usually the choice is up to you. But you can’t switch back and forth! If you want to omit the comma before and, go right ahead. But that means you can’t slip it in again two pages later.
- long paragraphs
They discourage readers, and you should avoid them. Here’s a useful trick: Just break the paragraph in half. Nobody – not even the world’s sharpest editor – is going to notice.
- inserting a comma after but
Don’t do it!
- trying to create dramatic pauses in a piece you’re writing
Some writers sprinkle unnecessary commas into everything they write, hoping to create dramatic pauses. It doesn’t work. Spoken words don’t transfer well into writing. Avoid those commas!