8 Constructions You Should Avoid in English Writing
Updated: Jun 7
Sometimes, using a certain group of words, phrases, and structures makes your sentences complex and obscure. To avoid complexity, you should follow a number of specified constructions. This short article aims to familiarize you with eight constructions that you should eschew to make your sentences more satisfactory.
One of the most common written mistakes is the excessive use of passive constructions. When it is required to let readers know the subject, you should use an active voice. It does not necessarily mean that you should abstain from using passive constructions. Instead, the use of them should be appropriate. Improper use of passive constructions causes your writing to look poor.
Another common mistake pertains to the incorrect employment of parallel constructions. When it comes to creating parallel constructions, strive to make nouns parallel to nouns and verbs to verbs.
Avoid using redundant words. It is of great importance to be acquainted with words` parts of speech. Knowing them helps you to make your writing more appealing.
Try not to use complex constructions. This is because it would be difficult for readers to follow the main ideas you attempt to bring about. They make your sentences less effective and too wordy. You should make an effort to use more direct terms.
A sentence fragment is another writing mistake that usually happens. Incomplete sentences are not comprehensible. To make a complete sentence, a dependent clause should be followed by an independent clause.
Try to refrain from using expletive constructions. These constructions begin with “there is, “it is”, or “it was”. “There” and “it” are not classified as real subjects. They are followed by to be verbs that are not intrinsically active. To make a sentence get rolling, you should use both active subjects and verbs.
Nominalization is a construction that makes your sentences look too wordy. You should give precedence to use strong verbs rather than weaker noun parts of those verbs. Reflect on the following sentence. “She should take into consideration many elements.” Instead of using take into consideration, you should use the verb “consider.”
All elements of a sentence including verb tense, voice, mood, and numbers should be grammatically consistent. Unnecessary shifts should be avoided.