This is why you as an author should work on your writing style, and here are five simple tips that will help in lifting it fast.

1. Do not fall into a habit of using coordinating conjunctions at the beginning of sentences

There is a lot of controversy about whether one can start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction or it is a bad writing style.

Words like ‘And’ or ‘But’ are coordinating conjunctions as they connect two or more word structures. Remarkable fact: it has never been wrong to use such words at the beginning of a sentence, it is not a grammatical mistake.

However, as it is very easy to start your sentence with ‘And’ or ‘But’ many people fall into a habit of doing that. Overuse of coordinating conjunctions makes your writing less readable.

This is why you should develop a sense of language to be flexible enough to use such words to control the tone and add more variety to your writing.

Here is an example of proper use of coordinating conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence:

Mary prepared her essay on time. But she forgot to copy the file, and someone deleted it by accident.

If you combine two sentences into one, there will be no pause and less drama:

Mary prepared her essay on time, but she forgot to copy the file, and someone deleted it by accident.

Try to use words like ‘And’ or ‘But’ to add more emotions to your text, not to litter it.

2. Study subject pronouns

A subject pronoun is a pronoun that can serve as a subject of a sentence – the role that a noun usually takes. A subject, as we remember, is a person or an object that performs action which a verb describes.

While it seems like a not that complicated thing to understand, there are a bunch of mistakes people make when dealing with subject pronouns.

One of the most popular is using an object form where it would be correct to stick to a subject form.

Example:

She is wiser than me!

Subject forms are the words I, he, she, we, and they. They usually used as the subject for a verb. In this case, it would be correct to use I.

3. Avoid starting sentences with a figure

Starting your sentence with a number denoted by a figure looks bad. So it is better to reword it to expand the number with a word.

Examples:

Bad: 12 people were injured.

Good: Twelve people were injured.

The second version looks much better, though it is not _officially_ wrong to use figures at the beginning of a sentence. It is just a bad style.

However, every even most flexible rule or recommendation might have an exception. If a number contains a decimal point, rewording it will make things worse.

Examples:

Good: 51.45% of marketing professionals said they plan to increase their digital advertising budgets in the upcoming year.

Bad: Fifty-one point forty-five percent of marketing professionals said they plan to increase their digital advertising budgets in the upcoming year.

The second version is just terrible, so it is better to leave the initial sentence as it is.

4. Watch for words at the beginning of successive sentences

This advice is more about proofreading than writing itself. Very often when you’ve managed to catch your muse, the text is written fast. It is essential not to underestimate the value of proofreading.

Read your piece once again, and you will find lots of typos, mistakes, and things to fix to make the text cleaner. Here is an example of a sample blog post, which would be much better if run through proofreading before publishing.

5. Fight redundancy

Redundant expressions make your text cluttered, hard to read, and sometimes create an impression, that the author does not fully understand the topic.

There are several types of redundancies:

• Adjectives with the same meaning as the word they describe.
• Adverbs repeating the meaning of a verb.
• A group of words with identical meaning.

Basically, though, you can spot a redundancy by analyzing your sentence and asking your self, whether it contains two or more words with similar meaning. If there are such words, and you feel that it is possible to omit some of them keeping only one – you’ve spotted a redundancy!

Example:

Bad: Employees were delivering their best results approximately about 12 working days per month.

Here “approximately” and “about” have similar meaning, so we can safely keep only one word.

Good: Employees were delivering their best results approximately 12 working days per month.

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Suppose the life and fortune of every one of us would depend on his winning or losing a game of chess.

Unfortunately, the traditional means of dealing with gender unknown was to apply the masculine pronoun, in this case his. English, of course, is far from alone in this practice. For example, in Spanish, if referring to a group of friends containing both genders, you would use amigos, clearly favoring the masculine form.

Fortunately, despite what many grammar pedants would have us believe, English has always been a language that adapts with the times, and now we have available the useful, gender-neutral, singular they, or in the case of Huxley’s quote, their.

Suppose the life and fortune of every one of us would depend on their winning or losing a game of chess.

Some will argue the case that formality has been forsaken with this usage, and although they may have a point, once again the pronoun they is a modern replacement for the rather outdated one.

Suppose the life and fortune of every one of us would depend on one winning or losing a game of chess.

Anyone who has watched the popular Netflix series The Crown will be familiar with the British aristocracy’s preference for this formal pronoun, but it does not sound suitable in normal everyday speech. Hence again the usefulness of they/their/them/themself.

This opinion is supported by many long-established and respected language institutions.

They, their, them, themselves: English lacks a common-gender third person singular pronoun that can be used to refer to indefinite pronouns (as everyone, anyone, someone).

Merriam Webster Usage Note

Despite the apparent grammatical disagreement between a singular antecedent like someone and the plural pronoun them, the construction is so widespread both in print and in speech that it often passes unnoticed.

American Heritage Dictionary

Personal gender pronouns

Happily, we also find ourselves living in an enlightened age where people may no longer identify with the long-prescribed gender-specific pronouns.

However, according to a 2015 study by GLSEN, more than two thirds of the LGBTQ community have frequently or often heard homophobic comments at school. Language is important, and so applying the correct personal gender pronoun (PGP) needs to be considered.

GLSEN offers the following definition of PGPs:

The pronoun or set of pronouns that a person would like to be called by when their proper name is not being used.

Of course, the gender-neutral they becomes incredibly useful in this situation. However, it may not always be the correct solution, so in all cases the best approach would be to ask early on what PGP that particular individual would prefer.

Themself

The word themself can cause any manner of controversy, with many people, websites and language apps not even recognizing it as a bona fide word. Indeed, in writing this article, the word themself was not recognized by the installed spellcheck function.

Themself would be the reflexive pronoun of the singular they, and could be used as follows:

If a person wishes to be considered independent, then they must learn to do a number of things themself.

The last word on this particular issue should be given to the Oxford Dictionary Blog:

To sum up, the wheel has not yet come full circle and themself remains a standard English outcast. . . for now. You can be sure that Oxford’s lexicographers are keeping their eye on the situation: given the strong evidence for the word in all types of writing, it may well merit reconsideration within the next 20 years or so.

Conclusion

If you find yourself in the situation where you are writing a formal essay and this issue presents itself, then it is perhaps best to approach with caution. Understanding the preferences of you tutor would help, as it seems there are still those among us who do not favor the usage of they/them/their in formal situations, or indeed themself in any.

The post Using The Singular ‘They’: Why It Is Important appeared first on Linguix Blog.

This may always have been true, but we live in the Twitter age where impressions must be made quicker than ever. Fortunately, essayists ae not usually faced with such impatience, but the art of an expertly crafted opening salvo is as valuable as ever.

So, don’t bore the reader to tears (and lose them) by dully stating what your essay will set out to achieve. Instead, unleash a stylish first sentence that will leave a ravenous audience hungry for more.

1. “There can be no doubt”

Example sentence: There can be no doubt that while social media has brought about many issues that society is struggling to deal with, it has fundamentally changed the way we communicate.

Typical structure:  There can be no doubt that __________.

Note: Being categorical in your assertion, whether the reader agrees with you or not, is an attractive quality in an essay, and immediately provokes interest.

2. Introduce surprising outcomes with conjunctions of contrast or conditionals

Example sentence:  Despite the increasing pressures of parenting in the digital age, becoming a parent continues to be one of the joys of life.

Typical structure: Despite/In spite of/Even though__________, __________ continue(s) to __________.

Note: Conjunctions of contrast are ready-made for introducing surprising statistics or facts that hook the reader into wanting to discover the reason for this phenomenon. Similarly, conditional sentences using ‘if’ are effective in revealing surprise results.   

3. “It is not this, but it is this”

Example sentence: Prioritizing is not a component of good management, it is an essential building block.

Typical structure:   __________ is not a __________, it is a __________.

Note:  Being categorical is a consistent theme when it comes to great essay beginnings, and here is another example. Inform the reader of a typical misconceptions with this highly impactful opening.

4. “All but vanished”

Example sentence: Humility has all but vanished from the celebrity-riddled world of modern politics.

Typical structure: __________ has all but vanished from ___________. 

Note: Something has not completely disappeared if it has all but vanished, but is a dying concept, and often something that will be greatly missed or enthusiastically celebrated when it has gone. This opening leads the reader to lament the loss of a positive quality or feel relief as to the soon-to-be departed negative, and either way results in them wanting to discover what the future holds.

5. Make an impactful statement of equality using “just as”

Example sentence: Just as music can help relax us in times of stress, it can also lead to improved workout performance.

Typical structure: Just as __________, it can also___________.

Note: This structure allows a statement of equality but in a way that reveals it in a way that is both emphasized and dramatic in its delivery – both very attractive attributes of a successful opening sentence.

6. “Imagine a world without something, where everything is better/worse”

Example sentence: Imagine a world without bigotry, where people respect each other’s beliefs without question.

Typical structure: Imagine a world without __________, where __________.

Note: Appealing to a reader’s base emotions is a long-cherished technique used by dramatists, novelists and essayists, and there can be no greater example than appealing to a reader to imagine a world without something they hold dear, or indeed provoke ideas of a better world free from a particular evil. 

7. Categorically announce the need for something being ubiquitous

Example sentence: People’s need for love is the same wherever in the world you may visit.

Typical structure: __________’s need for _________ is __________.

Note: Once again, this is a real statement of intent that your essay will be unwavering it its opinions. Whether the reader agrees or disagrees, interest is piqued.

8. State how most/the majority of people would agree on something

Example sentence: Most people would agree that supermarkets have had a detrimental effect on the high street shopping experience.

Typical structure:  Most/The majority of people would agree that ________.

Note: This type of brave opening sentence works equally effectively if the reader agrees or disagrees – both are valuable assets when you are encouraging a reader to stay with you. And you are deliberately avoiding the use of all people, so it is very difficult to argue against it one way or the other.

9. Provoke a reaction by stating that someone or something is often accused or something

Example sentence: Politicians have often been accused of making populist policies.

Typical structure: _______ is/are often accused of ________.

Note: Once again, this particularly structure can work if the reader agrees or disagrees with the assertion – both are desirable reactions. 

10. Introduce fatalism by stating that something is an inherent aspect of the human psyche

Example sentence: The desire to protect one’s family against the perceived threat of outsiders in an inherent aspect of the human psyche.

Typical structure:  _____ is an inherent aspect of the human psyche. 

Note:  Stating things that may or may not be an inherent part of the human psyche is a topic of great debate, and the possibilities are almost limitless. Either way, that’s a great way to get the reader involved, and you are making a bold statement that they can relate to.

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Originating from the Greek word that meant “omission”, an ellipsis (plural: ellipses) is used to show that something has been omitted in a sentence. Ellipsis is useful in showing omission when you are quoting someone. The reasons for using ellipsis ranges from bringing clarity to a sentence, to removing irrelevant words from a sentence.

Ellipsis can also be used to denote pauses in a speech or to denote a sentence that trails off. However, this kind of usage of the ellipsis is not appropriate for formal or academic writing and should only be used in informal or creative writing.

Example: He said “take your books… and leave”.

Number of Dots

While an ellipsis contains three dots, an ellipsis placed after a complete sentence will have four dots: a period and an ellipsis. This, together, would look like four dots in a row.

Example: Do you know… anything about lobsters?

                 I was fine…. Until I wasn’t.

Ellipsis Spacing

The spacing between the dots largely depends on the style guide you follow. According to the Chicago Manual of Style, you need to have some space between each dot. However, in the AP Stylebook, you should consider ellipsis as a three-letter word. So, there should be a space before and after the dots, but not in between them. While you can follow any style guide you prefer, remember to stay consistent throughout your writing.

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John is a tall man.

It is a yellow bag.

They are also typically used with stative verbs (non-actions) that express opinions, senses etc. These are known as predicate adjectives. Examples:

I feel tired.

The soup smells delicious.

Adjectives can be identified as any word that helps describe the noun, so that includes numbers, colours and quantifiers. Here are some more simple examples:

There were many people at the concert.

There were three people in the room.

The man was Irish.

He felt cold, so she gave him a warm jumper.

Any comparison words, or superlatives, are also adjectives.

That boat is bigger than that boat.

She’s the best tennis player in the world.

Adjectives can also be used together, usually with the use of a comma, or a suitable conjunction. These are known as coordinate adjectives. Examples:

The man was wearing a long, brown jacket.

The band was playing a popular, hummable tune.

Adjectives consisting of two words are nearly always hyphenated. Examples:

It was an old-fashioned piece of furniture.

Sarah is an easy-going person

But while adjectives help bring detail and precision to what is being described, they should be used intelligently. Common mistakes include:

She had dark, long hair.

The favoured order would be style (long) + colour (dark).

He sings good.

Here the word is modifying a verb, so an adverb should be used. The adverb of good is well.

The cold, wet rain was falling all night long.

Is rain not always wet?

Tommy felt starving, so he knew it was time for lunch.

Starving? Was Tommy not merely hungry? Do not tend towards hyperbole.

Tommy was very starving.

You cannot be very starving. Starving is already an extreme, and can only be modified by an extreme, such as absolutely.

In summary, when used well, adjectives elevate communication to a more effective level.

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Making adverbs

The vast majority of adverbs are made by adding -ly to the end of an adjective. Example:

Quickly, generally, magically

If the adjective already ends in a y, the y is removed and -ily is added. Example:

Happily, angrily, prettily

Some adverbs are irregular, meaning they are not formed by the usual addition of -ly. The adverb may be completely different or exactly the same as the original adjective. Examples:

Well (good), fast (fast)

Using adverbs effectively usually involves being able to identify their function and placing them in the correct part of the sentence or clause.

The following table lists the most common types of adverbs, their function, and their place in the sentence.

Occasionally adverbs will not follow any direct pattern or rule. A good example of this is the adverb ‘yet’ which is placed at the end of a sentence or clause. Example:

Jane hasn’t seen the movie yet.

Comparatives and Superlatives

Just as with adjectives, adverbs can be used comparatively, or to create a superlative. Usually this is done simply by adding ‘more’ and ‘the most’ to the original sentence. Examples:

Tom waited patiently. Tom waited more patiently than the others. Tom waited the most patiently of all.

Jane sang beautifully. Jane sang more beautifully than the others. Jane sang the most beautifully of them all.

 

However, sometimes the comparative and superlative form is the same as the adjective. Examples:

Tom ran quickly. Tom ran more quicker than the others. Tom ran the quickest of them all.

Sarah speaks French well. Sarah speaks French better than the others. Sarah speaks French the best of them all.

However, often a sentence such as the final example here can be improved by using another structure, often an adjective + noun combination. Example:

Sarah is the best French-speaker of them all.

Typical mistakes and problems

As the table above demonstrates, there are many types of adverbs and their categorisation will often impact their position in the sentence. This, along with the failure to adapt the adverb from an adjective, are the most frequent issues experienced with adverbs.

I always am singing.

I am always singing. This doesn’t change the meaning, but the sound is unnatural.

I speak English good.

Ironically not, as you would speak English well.

Fortunately, Jason was in a crash, but he was not injured.

Unless you have a strong dislike of Jason, the adverb is not only in the wrong place, but you have in effect changed the meaning of what you wanted to say.

Jason was in a crash, but fortunately he was not injured.

Changing the meaning by placing the adverb in the incorrect position is a frequent error, and only is perhaps the main culprit. Example:

I only like fish with potatoes. I like fish only with potatoes.

The first sentence means that there is one food you like: fish and potatoes. The second sentence means that if you have fish, you will always have it with potatoes.

Another common issue is that many verbs (often referred to as linking verbs which represent feelings and emotions) are not used with adverbs at all, but with adjectives.

I feel hungrily.

Unless this is a figurative way of explaining the way you use your hands, you would feel hungry (ie you want some food). The meaning has changed completely.

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Uses of Exclamation Marks

While periods punctuate declarative sentences and question marks punctuate interrogative sentences, exclamation marks are used to punctuate exclamatory sentences. More forceful than a declarative sentence, exclamatory sentences are statements that express or describe different kinds of excitement or emotion.

Example: Thank you for this lovely gift! (happy)

                 What an amazing story! (surprise)

                 Your dress looks beautiful! (enthusiasm)

                 I lost my bag at the airport! (sad)

                 You tore my book! (anger)

Exclamation marks can also be used to punctuate sentence fragments and interjections. While not uncommon, it can also be used to end a statement that is framed as a question.

Example: Bye! See you tomorrow.

                 Ouch! Your dog bit me!

                 Start your workshop after the weekend! The weather is really bad.

                 I have ruined my interview. How could I have been so forgetful!

Quotations and Exclamations

While exclamation marks are relatively easy to use at the end of sentences, the rules can get confusing when quotation marks are involved. However, this confusion can be easily mitigated by analyzing the sentence.

If an exclamatory sentence is enclosed in quotation marks, the exclamation mark should also be placed inside the quotation marks.

Example: “I don’t want to do it!” yelled Kyle.

                 Jenny nodded to Susan’s remark “your dedication is impressive!”

If the whole sentence is exclamatory, then the exclamation mark should be placed outside the quotation marks and at the end of the sentence. Usually, in such sentences, the words enclosed inside the quotation marks are not a complete sentence.

Example: Kyle yelled when his mom told him to “stop playing video games”!

                 Due to her “impressive dedication”, Jenny bagged another promotion!

Parenthesis and Exclamations

As with quotation marks, if the words within the parenthesis are exclamatory, the exclamation mark should be placed inside the parenthesis.

Example: As she didn’t know what it was (an antique sword!), Natalie called the cops.

                Connor was upset because he didn’t get what he wanted (his dream job!).

If the entire sentence is exclamatory, the exclamation mark should be placed at the end of the sentence.

Example: No matter what happens, we will stay together (forever)!

                 While it (the power outage) happened during my shift, I am not responsible for it!

The Misuse of Exclamation Marks!

While the rules on using exclamation marks are relatively simple, curbing its unnecessary usage is definitely not! Excessive usage occurs mainly because emotions cannot be expressed in writing as much as it can while speaking. For example, when you call upon someone, your voice and tone convey your meaning and intention. However, when writing, emotions cannot be conveyed until an exclamation mark is added.

Example: Please, get here now. (without exclamation mark)

                 Please, get here now! (with exclamation mark)

An exclamation mark is used to convey stronger emotions. However, this leads many people to use this powerful punctuation in places where it is not needed. Using exclamations too often can render them less effective.

Some important aspects to remember are to use exclamations sparingly and only in informal or casual situations. If you need to express any kind of emotion in formal or academic writing, it’s better to use words with stronger meanings to convey your thoughts.

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