Proper grammar is the foundation of successful writing. No matter your subject, or how famous or smart you are, incorrect grammar will distract your reader, muddle your meaning, and erode the authority and effectiveness of your message. A professional editing and proofreading service will certainly help, as well as these general grammar tips to follow when writing:
- Consider whether your audience will recognize any abbreviations you use. “NATO,” “AIDS” and “CEO” are common, but there are more specific abbreviations your audience may or may not know. If you have any doubt, write them out the first time they occur, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Then you can use the abbreviation throughout the rest of the text.
- Avoid "that" as much as possible. When wanting to write “that,” ask yourself if your meaning is clear without it. If so, then write your sentence without it.
- It is often better—thought not always—to avoid splitting infinitives. A split infinitive occurs when a modifier is placed between the "to" and the uninflected form of a verb. One famous example is Star Trek’s “to boldly go where no man has gone before.” Here, "boldly" splits the infinitive "to go." When you find a split infinitive while editing and proofreading your work, try to move the modifier to another place in the sentence—to the end of the clause, for example. Often this will improve the writing by giving both the verb and its modifier the reader’s full attention.
Once you have done your best to catch your editing and proofreading mistakes on your own, the next step is to submit your writing to a professional editing and proofreading service. A professional editing and proofreading service, or copy editing service, can make a huge difference in both the grammar and the overall quality of your writing.