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Let’s cut to the chase: Poor language usage, in the context of marketing, can hurt your business image – especially if you’re going for an educated and professional image. It also effects readability and can make it hard for your audience to understand what you are trying to say. Which is why it’s worth taking the time to copy check your work thoroughly. Ideally, it’s better to get a fresh set of eyes to run over your article or blog, but if you don’t have another writer available then it’s a good idea to make use of a copywriting checklist.
We’ve compiled a quick checklist for you, to help you ensure that you don’t fall prey to common writing errors. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. The Comma Splice Error
A comma splice error occurs when a comma is used instead of a full stop. This error is also known as a run-on sentence. Usually, when you are writing and you have two separate thoughts or ideas, it is best to place them in two separate sentences. This allows the reader to pause and reflect on each sentence separately and to easily make sense of what you are trying to say.
Incorrect example: Covid-19 tests were carried out, the government needed statistics.
Correct example: Covid-19 tests were carried out. The government needed statistics.
2. Incorrect Tenses
Sentences can be written in past, present or future tense. A common mistake in writing is to mix these tenses up, which makes it difficult to form a clear picture of whether a particular event is occurring, has occurred or is going to occur. It is best practice to stick with a single tense when writing.
Incorrect example: The dog was angry because the boy stole her bone. She is growling at the boy. The boy is going to give the bone back.
Correct example (in past tense): The dog was angry because the boy stole her bone. She growled at the boy. The boy gave the bone back.
3.Contractions
One of the most common writing errors is to mix up contractions with possessive pronouns. While easy to make, this type of error will undermine your writing efforts and make you appear unintelligent (if you are writing in a professional context).
Incorrect example: Its cold tonight.
Correct example: It’s cold tonight.
Incorrect example: Put the toy back in it’s place.
Correct example: Put the toy back in its place.
Incorrect example: Your beautiful!
Correct example: You’re beautiful!
4.Hyphenated Compound Words
When two separate words come together to form one word that describes a noun, a compound word is formed. This compound word should always be hyphenated if it is placed before the noun. Hyphenated compound words play a big role in improving readability.
Incorrect Example: We need an up to date company profile.
Correct Example: We need an up-to-date company profile.
After learning about these common writing errors and how to fix them, we hope that you start to write with both caution and confidence. Practicing these simple tips can go a long way to improving your writing skills!
If you need assistance with more complex writing pieces or don’t have the time to write, you are always welcome to give us a call and get a quote on our copywriting services.