Writing clearer sentences
If you tend to put key information late in the sentence, you may lose your reader.Move the following highlighted words to earlier in the sentence… Read More »Writing clearer sentences
Clarity
Overloaded sentences in organizational writing
In governmental and organizational writing, sentences are often overloaded with subordinate clauses, prepositional phrases and embedded lists. How can you simplify them? Example from an… Read More »Overloaded sentences in organizational writing
That or which? UK or US usage?
The United Nations style allows both UK and US grammar usage. However, editors may have their own ideas about what is acceptable or not. Consistency… Read More »That or which? UK or US usage?
Hedging language
When we write at work, we usually have to be factual, clear and direct. At other times, though, we need to express ourselves more cautiously… Read More »Hedging language
Style tips – start your sentence with an information word
If you begin your sentence with an information word or phrase, you draw your reader in right away! Impersonal beginnings such as “This is” “There… Read More »Style tips – start your sentence with an information word
Brackets (uses and misuses)
Brackets are useful The third use should be in moderation. Overuse makes you look indecisive or as though you are giving irrelevant information. It can… Read More »Brackets (uses and misuses)
Why do you ask us to write simply and clearly? What about literature?
Sometimes I get feedback from my audience asking “do we really need to dumb down? Will our vocabulary become poorer as a result of plain… Read More »Why do you ask us to write simply and clearly? What about literature?
Getting the tone right in emails
When we’re writing emails at work, it’s important to distinguish between casual usage and more formal language. A casual tone is appropriate when we’re writing… Read More »Getting the tone right in emails
When you have a relative clause starting with “which” or “that”, do you put commas?
Example The project which received financial support from the World Bank consists of the extraction of oil from three oil fields. “which received financial support… Read More »When you have a relative clause starting with “which” or “that”, do you put commas?
Getting rid of old-fashioned words and phrases
If you tend to use any of these in your writing, find more everyday words or expressions, or simply delete them. Why? They’re old-fashioned and… Read More »Getting rid of old-fashioned words and phrases