Year-End Language Review: Common English Writing Mistakes Unveiled
As we conclude our annual language critique series, we reflect on the intriguing world of English communication and the nuanced challenges writers face in maintaining linguistic precision.
Our review highlights several common grammatical and stylistic errors observed in recent publications:
Language Redundancy Examples:
“Stepped foot” is a redundant phrase. The correct expression is “set foot”, as stepping inherently involves using one’s foot. For instance, “I am glad that I set foot in Tanzania” is grammatically superior.
Another example involves the phrase “mind their business”, which incorrectly omits the crucial word “own”. The proper expression is “mind their own business”, emphasizing personal boundaries.
Unnecessary Wordiness:
Writers often overcomplicate sentences. Instead of “Sixteen Members of Parliament were injured in an accident involving a bus they were travelling in”, a more concise version would be “Sixteen MPs were injured in an accident involving their bus and a truck.”
Tautological Expressions:
Describing “drought and heat conditions” is redundant. The terms “drought” and “heat” already imply conditions, making the additional word unnecessary.
These linguistic observations serve as gentle reminders for writers to prioritize clarity, precision, and conciseness in their communication.
As we enter the new year, let’s embrace continuous improvement in our language skills, making English a tool for effective and elegant expression.
