Grammar Tips and Tricks.

Although hiring an appropriate editor for your particular needs is crucial, following a few simple grammar tips and tricks will allow you to concisely share your thoughts with your intended audience.

Part 1 of my 3-part series, Grammar Tips and Tricks, focuses on 3 common writing errors and how to avoid them.

Focus on Sentence Construction and Subject-Verb Agreement

Firstly, focus on sentence construction. In English, sentences are typically constructed by (subject + verb) or (subject + verb + object).

A subject is typically a noun (a person place or thing), which is followed by a verb (an action or state of being), followed by the object (which receives the action of the verb).

For example: Natalia (subject) forgot (verb) her sweater (object).

When writing, avoid a lack of subject-verb agreement. In particular, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. Likewise, if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Incorrect: The dogs is running.

Correction: The dogs are running.

Avoid Comma Splices

Secondly, avoid comma splices. In particular, a comma splice joins two sentences, or clauses, incorrectly. One way to avoid comma splices is to split sentences, use a semi-colon or a subordinating conjunction, such as, but not limited to, despite, because, though, or unless.

Incorrect: Natalia forgot her sweater, she was very cold.

Correction: Natalia forgot her sweater. She was very cold.

Natalia forgot her sweater; she was very cold.

Natalia Forgot her sweater, so she was very cold.

Avoid Misplaced Modifiers

Thirdly, avoid misplaced modifiers. A modifier must be placed alongside the word that it will modify in order to avoid conducing your audience.

Incorrect: The dog wore a leash on its neck that was too big.

Correction: The dog wore a leash that was too big on its neck.

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