Nowadays, it seems that written content is everywhere we look, especially on the web. Currently, there are approximately 500 million regularly updated blogs in the world. However, quantity doesn’t imply quality. Thus, the only way to stand out is to create well-written, professional-looking, attention-capturing, credible content. You don’t have to be an English major; do your best to avoid common writing mistakes. One of them is the proper use of a semicolon.
Through common writing mistakes to the stars
Most of the time, it will be your ability to win your readers’ hearts and minds that will launch your career. It takes time and effort to polish it, but acquiring a clear, unique, and grammatically correct written communication skill is well worth it. Whether you’re trying to hone your academic English writing skills or improve your prose, you should avoid
- Plagiarism
- Weak vocabulary
- Grammatical errors
- Punctuation mistakes
- Misspelled words
The most common writing mistakes speak volumes of the writer; the last thing you want is to look lazy and unprofessional.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism doesn’t have to be intentional. People often write sentences that sound too similar to someone else’s. Hyperproduction of online content allows involuntary plagiarism but at the same time, offers a solution. Run your text through free online plagiarism checkers. Unique content is the foundation of academic writing. Also, prospective self-publishing authors depend on it to attract and keep their audience.
Weak vocabulary
Just like people tend to do in oral communication, writers use fillers. Words like here, there, that, and it in the text dilute it. Moreover, weak qualifiers like somewhat, kind of, and rather make you sound uncertain. Needless to say, the best way to strengthen your vocabulary is to read. If, however, you have a writer’s block, moving somewhere abroad can be inspiring and boost your writing. Repeating words is also a sign of weak vocabulary and distracts your readers.
Grammatical errors
The most common writing mistakes are grammatical errors. They vary from superfluous commas to too few commas or no comma at all where they should be used. A comma is necessary after an introductory word or phrase or when you’re following a FANBOYS rule. A comma must go before coordinating conjunctions For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So if you wish to connect two complete thoughts. An Oxford comma is a rule used in the previous sentence; can you see it?
Punctuation mistakes
With the help of proofreading services, you will easily evade pitfalls of misused apostrophes, especially with homophones. Words that sound the same but have a different meaning and spelling like they’re and their, its and it’s or your and you’re are a common cause of confusion.
Misspelled words and wrong word usage
How many times have you noticed accept instead of except and breath instead of breathe? Have you noticed it at all? Grammatical, spelling, and punctuation traps are everywhere. However good you believe your writing skill is it doesn’t hurt to refresh your memory with the help of a grammar book or a dictionary.
