8/6/2019 Writing and Editing Tips

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The MountainWRITING AND EDITING TIPS 

Common Grammatical Mistakes to Look Out ForUSE… NOT…

This is different from that. This is different than that.

Could/Should/Would Have Could/Would/Should Of 

Refer to something Reference something

Backward/Forward/Toward Backwards/Forwards/Towards

The reason is that… The reason is because…

Eager to do something… Anxious to do something…

Regardless Irregardless

Tricky Grammar Choices That vs. Which

o That is used in essential clauses not set off by commas. o Which is used in nonessential clauses that are set off by

commas

Examples: The bill which was passed is controversial.  Examples: The bill that was passed is controversial.   The bill, which was passed by a slim majority, iscontroversial.

Who vs. Thato Who always refers to a person.

o That refers to an object, idea, etc.

Examples: The student that raised the most money won a prize.   The student who raised the most money won a prize.   The class that raised the most money won a prize.

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Is composed of vs. Is comprised of o  The whole comprises /is composed/ consists of the parts.

o Is comprised of  should not be used.

 

Examples: The club is comprised of ten members.The club is composed of ten members.The club consists of ten members.

Due to vs. Because of o Due to is only used when the phrase can be substituted

with caused by.o Because of is an adverb.

Examples: The game was cancelled due to rain.The game’s cancellation was due to (caused by) rain.The game was cancelled because of rain.

More than vs. Overo More than refers to numbers or amounts.

o Over refers to spatial relationships.

Examples: The school enrolls over 1,000 students.The school enrolls more than 1,000 students.She drove over the bridge.

Immigrate vs. Emigrateo People immigrate to a foreign country.

o People emigrate from their native country.

Examples: The man (from Spain) immigrated to the UnitedStates.

The man emigrated from Spain (to the United States).

Farther vs. Furthero Farther refers to a physical distance.

o Further refers to an extension of time or degree.

Examples: He walked farther into the city.She will further study the language.

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Tips for Clarity and Directness(from William Strunk Jr.’s The Elements of Style)

• Put statements/words in positive form whenever possible:

o Dishonest instead of not honest,o Unimportant instead of not important,

o Forgot instead of did not remember, etc.

• Avoid superfluous words/phrases such as the fact that , who is,which is/was:o  The fact that the team had lost upset him. vs. The team’s loss

upset him.o  The teacher, who is also a coach,… vs. The teacher, also a coach,

…o Color Day, which was the final spirit day,… vs. Color Day, the

final spirit day,…

• Avoid impersonal pronouns such as one and you, which can beambiguous, informal, or stilted. Use specific nouns.o One must go to the nurse to get tested vs. Athletes must go to

the nurse to get tested.

• Use “this” and “that” as modifiers instead of nouns. This style addsclarity:

 The English classrooms were moved to the villas.o

 This gave students more space. vs. This change gavestudents more space.