Learn how to write better sentences with these 9 common mistakes

Want to improve your writing skills? Avoid these nine common sentence mistakes and write better sentences. Start crafting compelling sentences now! Sentences are the foundation of great writing, so mastering them is essential. But how do you create a good sentence and enhance your writing skills without expensive training sessions?

Discover our top tips for crafting better sentences and avoid 10 common pitfalls along the way.

What makes a sentence great? It should have three key elements:

1. Clarity:

Ensure your writing communicates clearly and concisely. Aim to engage readers without confusion or the need for multiple re-reads.

2. Flow:

Transport your readers through your writing effortlessly. Connect ideas, maintain a logical order, and gradually unveil new information to captivate your audience.

3. Vividness:

Bring your writing to life by incorporating descriptive details. Engage readers by painting a vivid picture in their minds, allowing them to effortlessly visualize your ideas. It takes creativity and imagination to achieve this level of writing.

Start improving your writing today by mastering these essential elements of a great sentence.

Want to write better sentences? Follow these 5 tips:

1. Keep it simple.

Writing simply is harder than it seems, but it’s crucial for readability. Use simple words instead of complex ones, avoid long sentences, and opt for conversational terms to make your writing clear and accessible.

2. Mind your grammar.

Poor grammar can undermine your credibility. Use a grammar checker to catch errors, always proofread your work, and consider investing in a good editor to ensure your writing is error-free.

3. Master punctuation.

Correct punctuation is essential for polished writing. Learn basic punctuation rules and use them correctly. A grammar checker can help, but it’s worth knowing the rules yourself.

4. Read aloud.

Reading your work out loud can help you spot errors, improve flow, and identify unnecessary filler. Try reading your work before editing and before publishing to ensure it’s top-notch.

5. Cut the fluff.

Remove unnecessary details, repetitive sentences, and meandering phrases. Trim the excess to make your writing concise and impactful.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to writing more impressive sentences.

Discover the 7 Sentence Mistakes Sabotaging Your Writing

Ready to take your writing to the next level? We’ve got you covered with five tips for better sentences. But first, let’s tackle those common mistakes you might be making. Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to fix them and become a better writer in no time.

Mistake 1: Passive voice

Confused about active voice vs. passive voice? We’ve got a simple trick to clear things up. Just remember, it’s easier for readers to understand when the subject performs the action. For example, “Shana led her debate team to victory” sounds better than “The debate team was led to victory by Shana.” Stick to the active voice whenever possible.

Mistake 2: Run-on sentences

Ever feel like you’re rambling on and on without taking a breath? Well, run-on sentences can give your writing that same chaotic feeling. To fix it, just break up those long sentences with proper punctuation. Take a breath, pause, and let your ideas flow in clear, concise sentences.

Mistake 3: Sentence fragments

Sentence fragments may be okay for text messages, but they don’t belong in formal writing. Make sure your sentences have all the necessary components – subject, verb, and object. If you have a fragment, simply combine it with another sentence or turn it into a complete one.

Mistake 4: Subject-verb agreement

Even experienced writers can slip up on this one. The key is to make sure your subject and verb match. Don’t let complex sentences trip you up. Double-check and ensure your verb agrees with the subject.

Mistake 5: Unclear antecedents

Readers shouldn’t have to play detective in your writing. Make it clear who or what a pronoun is referring to. Avoid confusion and keep your readers in the loop by making sure your antecedents are crystal clear.

Mistake 6: Incomplete comparisons

If you’re making a comparison, don’t leave your readers hanging. Give them the full picture by providing more than one option. Complete your sentences and answer the question, “than what?”

Mistake 7: Parallel verb form

Consistency is key when it comes to verbs. Make sure all your verbs are in the same form, unless you’re talking about actions happening at different times. Keep an eye out for this mistake and stay on track.

Do you want to see some amazing sentences in action? We’ve got two examples that will blow you away, plus a breakdown on how to simplify complex sentences.

1. Grammarly: What’s Narrative Writing?

“When a story’s events are told in chronological order, it’s called a linear narrative. Most books, movies, TV shows, and other forms of media follow this structure. With a linear narrative, each scene logically leads to the next, although there may be gaps in between, like a book’s third chapter taking place two years after the events of the second chapter.”

This paragraph stands out for its vivid language and mix of short and long sentences, keeping things clear and easy to understand.

2. Ahrefs: 6 Risky Black Hat SEO Tactics to Avoid

“The cure for keyword stuffing is creating comprehensive content.

There are two ways to achieve this.

First, write in-depth content that covers a topic thoroughly. The result? You’ll naturally include most of the expressions and long-tail keywords people use when discussing the topic.”

These paragraphs are concise and to the point. No lengthy sentences or confusing fragments here!

3. How to Simplify a Complex Sentence

Let’s simplify the sentence below by highlighting the important points and getting rid of unnecessary repetition.

The Hiking Pals community is a group of outdoor enthusiasts who love spending time in nature. We gather once a week to hike a trail in Bend, Oregon. Our aim is to connect hiking enthusiasts and create a sense of community. Sign up below with your email address to receive notifications about our weekly meetups.

Simplified version:

Hiking Pals is a community of outdoor lovers in Bend, Oregon. Our goal is to build a strong hiking community. To join us, simply sign up below and get updates on our weekly meetups.

This concise version eliminates repetitive phrases and long sentences, making the information more digestible.

How to write better sentences with Jasper

Jasper is an AI writing assistant that makes it easy to create top-notch sentences. After slogging through thousands of words, it can be exhausting to try and improve your content. That’s where Jasper’s Content Improver template comes in. This template fine-tunes average sentences, ensuring they are concise and impactful.

Don’t believe us? See it in action:

Jarvis Content Improver template for writing better sentences
Notice that while this template can make your sentence longer or shorter, it always enhances the clarity of your writing.

With Jasper’s new Boss Mode plan, you can guide the AI to produce high-quality content.

Write sentences that inspire action

Your sentences should never be filler content. In content marketing, every word counts. Learn how to write better sentences by focusing on clarity, flow, and vividness. Avoid common mistakes like passive sentences and poor punctuation. And don’t hesitate to use helpful tools like popular Chrome extensions for writers.

Remember, even the best writers need assistance sometimes. The Content Improver template in Jasper is here to make your writing shine. Plus, there are free resources available to help you make the most of the tool. What are you waiting for? Sign up with Jasper and start crafting better sentences today.