Ten Common Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Writing is a craft that requires attention to detail and a commitment to improvement. Here are ten common writing mistakes, why they harm your writing, and actionable tips for correcting them. Strong references from recent academic and professional sources are included to provide credibility.

1. Passive Voice

Mistake: Writing sentences in a way where the subject is acted upon rather than performing the action.

Example of Wrong: The ball was thrown by Sarah.

Corrected Example: Sarah threw the ball.

Why It Harms Writing: Passive voice often makes sentences less direct and harder to follow, reducing clarity and engagement (Oshima & Hogue, 2020).

How to Remember: Look for the word “by” or forms of “to be” (is, was, were) paired with a past participle. These can signal passive constructions.

How to Correct It: Rewrite sentences to ensure the subject performs the action. Tools like Grammarly can highlight passive constructions.

2. Run-On Sentences

Mistake: Combining multiple ideas into one long, unpunctuated sentence.

Example of Wrong: She went to the store she bought milk she forgot her wallet.

Corrected Example: She went to the store, bought milk, but forgot her wallet.

Why It Harms Writing: Run-on sentences confuse readers, making it difficult to distinguish between ideas (Smith, 2021).

How to Remember: Use punctuation like commas or periods to separate ideas.

How to Correct It: Break the sentence into smaller, coherent parts.

3. Overuse of Adverbs

Mistake: Using too many adverbs instead of strong verbs or adjectives.

Example of Wrong: She ran very quickly to the bus.

Corrected Example: She sprinted to the bus.

Why It Harms Writing: Overusing adverbs weakens the impact of your writing, making it feel redundant and wordy (Zinsser, 2016).

How to Remember: Use adverbs sparingly and opt for vivid verbs.

How to Correct It: Replace weak verb-adverb combinations with a single, precise verb.

4. Overloading Sentences with Jargon

Mistake: Using overly technical language or buzzwords.

Example of Wrong: The synergistic paradigm of our optimization protocols facilitates client-centric solutions.

Corrected Example: Our process improves efficiency and prioritizes client needs.

Why It Harms Writing: Jargon alienates readers and obscures meaning (Plain Language Association International, 2019).

How to Remember: Aim for simplicity and clarity in every sentence.

How to Correct It: Replace jargon with accessible language. Read aloud to check for clarity.

Mistake: Switching between formal and casual tones within the same piece.

Example of Wrong: This is an academic paper, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty details.

Corrected Example: This academic paper will address key details with precision.

Why It Harms Writing: An inconsistent tone undermines professionalism and confuses readers about the intent (Hyland, 2018).

How to Remember: Establish your tone early and stick to it.

How to Correct It: Proofread to identify shifts in tone, and revise for consistency.

6. Lack of Paragraph Structure

Mistake: Writing paragraphs without a clear topic sentence or logical flow.

Example of Wrong: A paragraph that introduces three unrelated ideas.

Corrected Example: A paragraph that starts with a topic sentence, followed by supporting evidence and a conclusion.

Why It Harms Writing: Poor structure makes it difficult for readers to follow your argument (Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2022).

How to Remember: Use the “T.E.E.L.” method (Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence, Link).

How to Correct It: Outline paragraphs before writing.

7. Redundancy

Mistake: Repeating the same idea unnecessarily.

Example of Wrong: She smiled happily.

Corrected Example: She smiled.

Why It Harms Writing: Redundancy adds unnecessary length and distracts from your message (Williams & Bizup, 2017).

How to Remember: Less is more—review for repeated ideas or phrases.

How to Correct It: Eliminate words or phrases that do not add value.

8. Misusing Punctuation

Mistake: Misplacing commas, semicolons, or apostrophes.

Example of Wrong: Its a beautiful day.

Corrected Example: It’s a beautiful day.

Why It Harms Writing: Misplaced punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence and confuse readers (Strunk & White, 2020).

How to Remember: Learn the basic rules of punctuation and consult guides when in doubt.

How to Correct It: Use resources like Purdue OWL or writing software to check punctuation.

9. Using Clichés

Mistake: Relying on overused phrases instead of original ideas.

Example of Wrong: At the end of the day, it is what it is.

Corrected Example: Ultimately, the decision is final.

Why It Harms Writing: Clichés make writing feel unoriginal and uninspired (Clark, 2020).

How to Remember: Avoid phrases you’ve heard frequently.

How to Correct It: Replace clichés with specific, vivid language.

10. Failing to Proofread

Mistake: Skipping the final review process and leaving errors in the text.

Example of Wrong: They’re going to their friends house.

Corrected Example: They’re going to their friend’s house.

Why It Harms Writing: Typos and grammatical errors reduce credibility (Harvard Writing Center, 2023).

How to Remember: Always set aside time to proofread before publishing.

How to Correct It: Use proofreading tools and read your work aloud to catch errors.

References

Clark, R. P. (2020). Writing tools: 55 essential strategies for every writer. Little, Brown Spark.

Harvard Writing Center. (2023). Strategies for essay writing. Retrieved from https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu

Hyland, K. (2018). Metadiscourse: Exploring interaction in writing. Bloomsbury Academic.

Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2020). Introduction to academic writing (5th ed.). Pearson.

Plain Language Association International. (2019). The case for plain language. Retrieved from https://plainlanguagenetwork.org

Rosenwasser, D., & Stephen, J. (2022). Writing analytically (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Strunk, W., & White, E. B. (2020). The elements of style (4th ed.). Pearson.

Williams, J. M., & Bizup, J. (2017). Style: Lessons in clarity and grace (12th ed.). Pearson.

Zinsser, W. (2016). On writing well: The classic guide to writing nonfiction. Harper Perennial.