Common Mistakes

In this course, I’ve often left remarks about the best way to write things. I find this important. Language is about communication, so let’s see how to improve that communication as much as possible.

I’ve told you:

• To use active voice, instead of passive.
• To modify words so they are easy to read or pronounce
• To pick the shortest way of writing something. (Usually by picking the right verb and tense, plus using a lot of referencing.)

This article continues that thought. It’s about common mistakes, but also about simply writing better. Communicating better. Using the right words for the right job. Many expressions mentioned here are grammatically correct—maybe even popular—but should be restricted to speech.

Because what’s the point of learning a language … if you only use it for vague and imprecise communication?

I’ve sorted the mistakes on type. You can disagree with me on these topics! It’s merely advice. My thoughts on how to communicate better.

Intensifiers

This category holds words that intensify other words. And explains why they are often a bad idea.

Absolutely

Often redundant when used to emphasize adjectives. Either someone is honest, or he isn’t. Absolutely honest doesn’t make him more honest.

This is a general rule: instead of using “very” or “absolutely” to intensify something, try to find a stronger verb or noun. “Absolutely cold” is simply “freezing”. “Absolutely scary” is “frightening”.

Amazing

Overused. Omit it, or at least find a more fitting synonym. If everything is amazing, nothing is.

Certainly

Used too often to intensify any and every statement. Remembe rthe general rule: find one word that says what you want precisely.

Really

Similar to “very”. Don’t use it to modify an adjective, verb or adverb. (At least, not often.) Find a stronger version of the word instead.

So

Avoid using it as an intensifier (so good or so strong).

Very

Use sparingly to exaggerate nouns. If emphasis is necessary, find a strong word.

Unnecessary

These words are fine, but often unnecessary. Removing them makes communication only shorter and clearer.

Always

If you say something, it is by default always true. For example: “When you add 2 and 2, you get 4.”

There is no need to say: “When you add 2 and 2, you ALWAYS get 4.”

Similarly, “I always go to the gym on Wednesdays” is the same as simply “I go to the gym on Wednesdays”.

As such, this word can be removed 99% of the time.

As to whether

Just whether is sufficient.

Case

Usually unnecessary in these cases:

• Instance of a thing occurring
• Usual state of affairs

Character

Often redundant and used out of habit only.

Clever

Overused. Best restricted to ingenuity displayed in small matters. If something is really clever, it should show through the consequences or writing about it.

Dependable

A needless substitute for reliable or trustworthy.

Fact

Use this only of actual facts, matters capable of direct verification. Never use this for matters of judgment, however incontestable they may be.

The phrase “The fact is …” can also be removed if you’re not actually talking about a verifiable fact.

Factor

Overused. Can often be replaced by something more direct or definite.

Feature

Like factor, it usually adds nothing to a sentence.

To be avoided in the advertising sense of offer as a special attraction.

He is a man who

A common type of redundant expression. Of course, it has variations. “She is a woman who”, “They are a child who”, “It is a country that”, and more.

Honestly

Often used to add emphasis. But it should be avoided, for it implies that the rest of your statements weren’t honest!

It’s like saying “I will lie now” and then continuing like nothing happened. Scrap it.

Just

Only use it for its original meaning (as a noun): equitable, fair, even-handed or impartial.

If used otherwise, it has no clear meaning and makes your sentences weaker.

Literally

Literally means something should be understood exactly as it is said. Figuratively means something should be understood as a metaphor or figure of speech for something else.

In most cases, people use the wrong one. In almost all cases, using it is unnecessary anyway.

Hmm. Is he dead now? No. Then it’s not literally.

Maybe

Communicates uncertainty. It is, therefore, great for questions or suggestions.

Any other time, it doesn’t help in any way to add lots of insecurity to what you write. Remove it.

Nature

Often redundant, just like character. Or more specific statements need to follow to explain it.

Never

See “always”.

Oftentimes

Archaic. Use often.

Respectively

May usually be omitted. The reader assumes that the order in which you wrote the sentence, is the order you intended.

In some kinds of formal writing (such as geometrical proofs) it is necessary for clarity. But it doesn’t add much otherwise.

Student body

A needless expression, just students is enough.

Stuff

Casual and generic. A placeholder for when the writer doesn’t know the actual word or phrase. If you don’t bother finding out or explaining the details, don’t reference something at all.

System

Frequently used without necessity. Like “stuff”, anything can be a system, right?

That

Superfluous most of the time. Reread every sentence with that and see if you can leave it out.

Don’t use it with people. They are not objects! The proper word is who.

Things

See “stuff”.

Misspelling & Misuse

All right

Alright has become more popular, but two separate words is technically correct. Used in familiar speech in the sense of “Agreed”, “Go ahead” or “Okay”. Avoid using it for anything else.

Bid

Takes the infinitive without to. The past tense is bade.

Due to

Correctly used when saying because of and then a particular noun.

Incorrectly used in adverbial phrases. (So, a seperate sentence giving a reason for the main sentence.)

Effect

As noun, means result.

As verb, means to bring about or accomplish.

Not the same as affect: that means “to influence”.

Too often used as a vague substitute when discussing art or creative endeavours. Vagueness is bad.

Etc. / etcetera

Equivalent to and the rest or and so forth. Should therefore not be used for people. Or if the reader could be left in doubt as to what “the rest” could be.

Best used to shorten a list which has already been given in full. Or to replace unimportant words at the end of a quotation.

It is incorrect to end lists starting with such as or for example with “etc.”.

Why? It’s a bit weird to start a list of examples, and then just say: “hey, you should just imagine how the other examples go!”

Irregardless

It’s not a word. Regardless already means without regard.

Less

I’ve stated this earlier in the course. I’ll state it again because it’s such a frequent error.

Don’t replace it with fewer. Less only applies to uncountable nouns and comparing quantities.

Kind of

Don’t use it as substitute for …

• Rather (before adjectives and verbs)
• Something like (before nouns)

Restrict it to its actual meaning. Kind means type or embodiment.

The same is true for sort of.

One of the most

Avoid beginning paragraphs with this kind of phrase. It takes many words, yet it’s cliché, vague and meaningless.

It’s not wrong. I just don’t like those phrases with many words which can be removed.

Phase

Means stage of transition or development. Does not mean aspect or topic.

To possess

Don’t use it as a substitute for the simpler verbs have or own. It needlessly complicates a sentence.

To state

Don’t use it as a substitute for the specific say or remark. Restrict it to the sense of: express fully or clearly.

While

Don’t use it as a substite for “and” or “but”. Instead, split the sentence in two, or use a semicolon.

Using it for “although” fine, if this doesn’t lead to ambiguity or absurdity.

It’s best to restrict it while to the sense of during the time that.

Whom

A (slightly archaic) conjugation of who when it’s the (in)direct object of a sentence.

Often incorrectly used for who before he said or similar expressions.

Clarification

As good or better

Rearrange the sentence so that “or better” (or “if not better”) is at the end. It’s easier to read and understand.

Claim

With object, means lay claim to. Don’t use as a substitute for declare, maintain or charge.

Compare

The preposition makes the difference.

• To compare to is to point out or imply resemblances between objects regarded as different
• To compare with is to point out differences between objects regarded as similar

Consider

When followed by “as” means “believe to be”.

Otherwise means “examined” or “discussed”.

Fix

Colloquial (in American English) for arrange, prepare or mend. It’s used, more and more, on everything. And when you use one word for everything, communication loses meaning.

Restrict it to its original meaning: to fasten, make firm.

Or, as a noun (fixed), it means rigid or immovable.

However

Comes first in the sentence when it means “in whatever way” or “to whatever extent”.

Place it after the subject or verb otherwise. (When it means nevertheless.)

Lose out

Used to sound more emphatic than lose.

But it doesn’t work. The same holds for try out, win out, sign up and register up.

A number of verbs form combinations with out and up, with different meanings

Lose out does not.

Near by

Analogous with close by and hard by. But it’s usually written as one word: nearby.

Near (at hand), however, is as good, if not better.

Not so nice as an adjective. I prefer neighbouring.

Use “adjacent” if something is right next to something else.

One hundred and one

Retain the “and” in this and similar expressions. Don’t be tempted to write “one hundred one”.

People

The people is a political term. They create political support or opposition.

The public is the right word otherwise. Artistic appreciation or commercial support comes from “the public”.

Some people prefer using “persons” after a plural number, instead of “people”. I’m on the fence about that.

Viewpoint

Don’t use it for view or opinion.

I prefer point of view. But viewpoint has become more common and accepted. For example, when a book is told from the perspective of someone, they are called a “viewpoint character” now.

Went

Don’t use went for every action in your story. Consider more definite statements, such as walked, ran, drove, cycled.

Worth while

A very new expression. I used to dislike it, but it’s grown on me.

Can be used to show (dis)approval or how much you think something is worth. Can come before a noun or verb, although usage before a noun is frowned upon.

Would

A conditional statement in the first person requires should, not would.

This probably comes from the fact that it’s you saying something about yourself. So you should know this statement for certain, instead of the uncertain “would”.

The same is true for indirect quotations.

To express habitual or repeated action, the past tense (without would) is usually sufficient.