Professional writers often worry that their work is unnecessary. After all, can’t anyone with even a basic education write? The answer: no, they can’t. Even college graduates don’t seem to be learning composition basics.
Of course not everyone is going to be the next Mark Twain, but career success does depend on looking professional. Sure, some clients, coworkers, or resume readers might make some of these mistakes themselves. But it takes just one person to see just one mistake for you to be discounted.
1. Constipated Clauses
Reporting on the feats and foibles of the Red Sox, a writer for South Coast Today notes: “It goes without saying that these exploits take a tremendous amount of skill.” If it “goes without saying” then don’t say it. If it doesn’t, in fact, go without saying, then don’t say it does. “Obviously, the sky is blue.” Putting the “obviously” doesn’t suddenly make the statement insightful.
2. Comma Vomit
True or false: a comma must precede any use of the word “and”? FALSE. Commas should only precede and, but, for, or, nor, so, or yet when they introduce an independent clause. For example, “We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.” Placing a comma after “snacks” is incorrect. The subject of the sentence has not changed, “we” still “began to study.”
An example of correct comma use: “The game was over, and the crowd began to leave.” The game and the crowd are different subjects and the clauses are independent. The crowd could still be leaving regardless of what is happening with the game. A comma can also precede “and” when it is used in a list of three or more items. However, in a list it is entirely optional and called an “oxford comma.”
While that is probably the most common overuse, others are prevalent. Just because you think you would pause at a certain point when speaking, it does not mean you need a comma. For a complete guide to using and misusing commas, check out this guide!
3. The Death of Adverbs
Once upon a time, the English language had a way to modify both nouns and verbs. Adjectives did the trick on the former and adverbs on the latter. You didn’t just have to walk, you could walk quickly! Adverbs modify verbs. For example, you accomplish a task with ease. What do you say?
WRONG: I can do that easy!
RIGHT: I can do that easily!
You accomplish a task with more ease than your colleagues. What do you say?
WRONG: I can do that easier than they can.
RIGHT: I can do that more easily than they can.
