When it comes to writing, there are several mistakes freelance content writers in Dubai are concerned about. Even when you are an expert, there is no doubt that you are bound to make mistakes unknowingly. You don’t need to worry as every day is a learning day. If you need to know more about these mistakes, stick around to make your next content better.
1. Runoff Sentence And Sentence Fragments
Fragments or runoff are a turn-off to anyone reading your work. Runoff sentences contain two or more independent clauses and can make your look unprofessional. In case you notice you have run-off sentences, the best option is to split or break sentences into small bits or manageable thoughts.
2. Using Too Many Or Fewer Commas
Your work may seem to have too many or not enough commas. But how do you know that the commas are enough for your piece? Read your documents and check how many times you pose, then you can add or eliminate commas if necessary.
3. Wrong Use Of Subject Verb Agreement
The subject must agree with the object for your work to make sense. For example, you should use “she needs food” instead of “she need food” and “They play football” instead of “They plays football”. Such little things matter to make your writing stand out.
4. Double Spacing
Double-space doesn’t add value to your work. Correct Spacing is necessary to show you have the perfect editing skills and are a professional too.
5. Towards Vs. Toward
These two words are correct, but it depends on the English dialect.
- American English: He moved toward her
- British English: He moved towards the church
6. Writing In Passive Voice
It might not be unusual for you to fall victim to passive voice. It would help if you used it in moderation. The active voice brings life into your writing by cutting the fluff. You can use passive voice when the action is more important than the verb
7. Unnecessary Long Introductions
Apart from being captivating and interesting, your introductions need to be short and straight to the point. Don’t beat around the bush, as this can easily make your audience lose interest.
8. Using Quotation Marks To Add Emphasis
Quotation marks are used to quote words said by someone. But when it comes to putting emphasis, use italics instead.
9. Confusing Between Their, There and They’re
It’s not unusual to confuse these three. You have to thoroughly check your work before submission. ‘There’ usually shows the location, while ‘their’ shows possession. Lastly, ‘they’re’ is the short form of they are.
10. Using Hyphen Instead of a Dash
Dash usually shows you are temporarily separating thoughts in a phrase.
For instance, Maryam _an excellent teacher_ is married.
The hyphen connects two adjective words. E.g., good-looking
11. Using Punctuation Marks Outside or Inside Quotation Marks
This depends on the type of English. When using British English, punctuation marks go outside the quotation mark while for American English, quotation marks go inside the quotation marks.
- Us version: “come here”! Mary shouted.
- England version: “come here!” Mary shouted.
12. Using Semicolon Instead Of Colon
You should use a semicolon when introducing a list following an independent clause, or when you want to separate an explanation, an example of preceding independent phrases.
For example, I am tired of living here; the environment is not conducive for the children.
13. Using Multiple Punctuation Marks
Using multiple punctuation marks like comma and full stop make your work look amateurish. Using a punctuation mark once is enough.
14. Improper Use of Possessive Pronouns
You should add an apostrophe, and a’s’ to singular nouns to show possession.
For instance, Martha’s book and Terry’s chair.
You place the apostrophe after ‘s’ to plural nouns to make them possessive—e.g., Pupils’ desks.
15. Using Which and Who
Which usually stands for inanimate objects only. ‘You don’t say that’s the man which started the fire.’ but you say ‘the man who started the fire.’
16. Using me instead of I
I shouldn’t be used as a subject since it’s the object form of the pronoun I. It’s Jane and I, not me and jane.
17. Confusing Between Its and It’s
‘It’ represents two words that are ‘It and is’, while ‘it’s’ is a third-person singular possessive adjective. “The cat drank its milk” shows the milk belonged to the cat.
18. Pronunciation And Pronunciation
The verb is pronounced, but the noun is pronunciation. Always be careful not to fall victim to the mistake.
19. To/ Two/ Too
To is a preposition that shows direction, two is a number spelling for numeral 2, while to is an adverb that indicates something is in excess.
E.g.The two girls who eat too much are going to the market.
20. Use of Your instead You’re
“You’re” is the short form of you are, while your is a second person, plural adjective.
- You’re eating.
- Your pencil has fallen.
Wrap up
There are thousands of writing mistakes that you can make out there. You can ask freelance content writer Dubai to guide you. Alternatively, you can practice and become perfect.
