They say that “to err is human but to persist in error is diabolical.” And this is exactly why it’s always a good idea to brush up on your writing skills. Especially in an age where typos, awkward grammar and cryptic abbreviations proliferate at the speed of reproducing bacteria.
Take a look: 7 Tips for Writing Better Business Copy
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Glossary
- blunder – a stupid or careless mistake
- clutter – a collection of things lying about in an untidy mass
- dangle – hang or swing loosely
- crutch – a long stick with a crosspiece at the top, used as a support under the armpit by a lame person; [in sing. ] figurative a thing used for support or reassurance
- ruthless – having or showing no pity or compassion for others
- dull – lacking interest or excitement
Practice makes perfect
Part 1
In the paragraph/sentences below replace the phrases in bold with the expressions from the original text.
- If you’re like the majority of writers, you’re probably making typical mistakes regularly. Don’t get discouraged. Awareness is a partial success: By becoming sensitive to typical mistakes, you become less likely to make them.
- When you’re being closely attentive, you might repeat a phrase, a story, or a point unwittingly.
- Be careful about common misspellings such as these [. . .]
Part 2
Follow the guidelines in the article and do the tasks below. The number of each task corresponds to the number of the writing tip in the original article.
1. Improve the passage below.
One of the most typical common mistakes is repeating the same phrase within a sentence or a paragraph. This common mistake can be typically avoided by using synonyms. However, it’s typical for people not to consult thesauruses and make this common mistake.
2. Improve the sentence.
It’s a really good solution and it will really help us manage our department very effectively.
3. Correct the sentence.
Running into the room, a rug caught her foot and she fell.
4. What’s the difference between the relative clauses in the sentences below.
- The book that I gave you was a thriller, not a romance.
- Books, which can represent many different genres, are often better than the movies based upon them.
5. The passage below has been written using overcomplicated language. Find its translation into plain language online.
When the process of freeing a stuck vehicle that has been stuck results in ruts or holes, the operator will fill the rut or hole created by such activity before removing the vehicle from the immediate area.
6. Correct the misspellings.
Its a common problem to bye a nice pair of trousers. If their too lose they want look good. So always double-check weather you have chosen the right model and size.
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