Tips to Minimize Mistakes in Your English Writing

Writing in English can be tricky, especially if it is not your first language. However, in a school environment, students need to produce well-written academic papers and assignments. This means they must be keen as they write to avoid some common mistakes to score higher. Sometimes, the errors that affect the writing are common and can be avoided easily. For example, punctuation issues, the use of verbs, nouns, and adjectives can make you construct irrelevant sentences. Such are some of the mistakes students make. The question is, how can a person minimize such errors when writing in English? Read on to discover more.

Maintain Simple language

If English isn’t your first language or a beginner, try and maintain simple English. Including complex phrases in your document can promote such mistakes. Sometimes, you might never understand the meaning of a given phrase, but you end up using it anyway. Do not feel of less value because of maintaining simple English. The best way to learn is to take one step at a time. After all, you aim at explaining your ideas and thoughts as you understand more.

Learn slowly and carefully

As a learner, learn things your mind can accommodate at a given time. Do not force your brain to occupy more than it can handle. Chances are you won’t know anything in the end. Instead, if you have like 2 hours of practicing sentences, maintain the time frame. If you go for, let us say, 8 hours non-stop, you will not master a single idea. You will be contaminating your mind with mixed-up ideas.

You will take more time to understand the language because you will be re-reading the sentences slowly to locate and correct errors as you countercheck with the dictionary and other materials. Why rush things when you have all the time to learn slowly? Just maintain your pace, and you will become an expert.

Again, when speaking, it is okay to construct sentences as you work on perfecting everything. When you make a mistake, don’t shy off. Instead, embrace all the mistakes you make and correct them as you move. It is part of learning.

Still, if you doubt some sentences, do not say them because when you start speaking the wrong way, you will train yourself that way, which isn’t appropriate. When practicing, always maintain clear sentences because they will stick in your brain.

The same case should apply to writing. If you aren’t sure of some phrases, check from the dictionary and ensure you write the correct version. Still, search for verification in Google if you doubt your sentence structure.

Note: When learning English, embrace using the dictionary and Google all the time. This way, you can note errors and correct them on the spot.

There are moments when as an English learner, you can differentiate good English from the one translated. If you convert one afterword from your native language, you will end up with a poorly written English sentence. Not all translations make sense, especially for long sentences. 

Use the technique of pause and think whenever listening to English or writing. Giving yourself breaks to digest what you have read or heard helps you understand more.

Still, you can compare English sentences to that of your native language. The wording and the sequence will be different. When you realize this, you will note and avoid such mistakes when speaking or writing in English.

Do not hurry to be fluent in English

Learning is a continuous process, and you shouldn’t worry about taking more time to understand some phrases. What matters is how consistent you are in practice.

If you want to become perfect sooner, you can begin training sessions with a professor or study with other students. This way, there are more discussions, and you aren’t afraid to make mistakes since there are people to correct you there and there.

If you realize that you write better yet still have pronunciation issues, maintain the art of writing as you produce good sentences other than speaking wrongly.