Four Easy Ways to Improve Your Grammar

Grammar, hate it though some of us may, is one of the most visible things about your writing. Whether you’re a professional writer or a student looking to get good grades on papers, grammar can make and break others’ perception of your writing. Think about it: how many times have you seen misplaced apostrophes or run-on sentences? Does it make you think just a little bit less of the writer? Grammar is so easy to do well and can be a joy in and of itself when done right. Here are a couple easy tips on using correct grammar to enhance your writing.

1. Don’t write like you talk.
This is a natural tendency for many people. In many ways, it just makes sense. But beware! This will lead you down Deep Dark Paths of Unrighteousness. When we talk, we tend to use run-on sentences, adding clauses here and there and every which way. This is fine for oral communication, but looks sloppy on paper. Try to separate your thoughts into distinct sentences. To start with, put each thought down and end it firmly with a period. When you’ve established that habit, start stringing together thoughts with words like ‘and’, ‘but’, or ‘or’. Although you can put many thoughts in one sentence, it’s easier to write and to read if you keep your sentences clean and concise.

2. When it comes to words, less is more.
We’ve all read it: the writer who refuses to step away from the thesaurus. Boring, isn’t it? We don’t need to be told that the grass is lush, green, verdant, emeraldine, and so on and so forth. The grass is green. Trust in the imagination of your readers; it’s better to err on the side of caution with things like this. Clarity and austerity are always better than messiness. If you find yourself reaching for synonyms to tack on the end of your descriptions, stop. You’ll thank yourself for it later.