This book is intended for improving your writing. Specifically, it outlines common mistakes in writing, and provides useful advice for writing eloquently. Below, I have layed out some interesting points.
Key points
1. Form the possessive singular of nouns with ’s
Example 1: “Stefan’s presentation.”
This includes cases where the nouns end with ’s. Example 2: “Alexis’s book.”
2. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas
Always enclose clauses introduced by where and when if they are non-restrictive. What non-restrictive means is that you could transform the original sentence in two independetly written statements.
Example 1: “In 2020, when the Olympic Games started, I was wrapping up my thesis.”
For instance, Example 1 (non-restrictive) could be transformed in: “The Olympic Games started in 2020. At that time I was wrapping up my thesis.”
3. Add comma before conjunction in paranthetic expressions
If a paranthetic expression is precedeed by a conjuction, place the comma before the conjunction.
Example 1: My mother entered the room, and unaware that I had been hiding behind the sofa, screamed when I surprised her.
4. Do not join independent clauses by comma
If two sentences are gramatically complete, the proper way to join them is by using a semicolumn, given that there is no conjuction that joins them. Additionally, they can be split by a period.
Example 1 (wrong): The train is delayed, the engine has been exchanged meanwhile.
Example 1 (correct): The train is delayed; the engine has been exchanged meanwhile.
Example 1 (correct): The train is delayed. The engine has been exchanged meanwhile.
5. A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject
Example 1 (wrong): Being in a dilapidated condition, I was able to buy the house very cheap.
Example 1 (correct): I was able to buy the house very cheap, as it was in a dilapidated condition.
Example 2 (wrong): Having youth and power, the fight was won by him.
Example 2 (correct): Having youth and power, he was able to win the fight.
6. Avoid making one passive depend directly upon another
Example 1 (wrong): Gold was not allowed to be exported.
Example 1 (correct): It was forbidden to export gold.
