Clean up your English Writing is an excellent opportunity to work on making your English as natural and effective as possible. If you work on improving your writing you will improve your overall use of English.
I have corrected a large number of writing submissions. In doing so, I have come to realize the importance of focusing on meaning rather than rules of grammar. In my experience most writing mistakes are caused by the learner not really understanding the meaning and use of words and phrases. When you try to think in terms of rules of grammar your writing can become unnatural. If you can get your meaning across effectively and naturally, the occasional grammar mistake is not so important. We want you to focus on the meaning of what you read and write, not grammar rules.
We call this our CLEAN English approach, consisting of the following points of emphasis.
Clarity Logic Effectiveness Accuracy Normal Usage Try to think of CLEAN English as the fastest way to improve your writing. It is unavoidable that you will continue to make certain mistakes of grammar until you have had enough practice. However, if you focus on CLEAN English you will find that you will be able to communicate more effectively and that the grammar problems will gradually start to resolve themselves.
Let's look more carefully at the individual components of CLEAN English. Clarity It is absolutely essential that the reader easily understand what you are writing. Keep things simple.
Short sentences are better than long sentences.
Short paragraphs are better than long paragraphs.
Simple language is better than complicated language.
Use the simplest word that accurately expresses what you want to say.
Use the active rather than the passive mood as much as possible.
When you use a pronoun like "it" or "which", make sure it is clear what you are referring to. If not, repeat the original noun.
Do not assume that the reader will understand something. Explain everything.
Logic Some aspects of logic are universal. Some aspects of logic are peculiar to a given language.
Do not leave out steps in an explanation.
Make sure you always compare objects that are of the same category, not as in the following example "I like eating sushi and my friend." Language logic can vary depending on the language. Learn to use the logic of English. Avoid translating from your native language.
If you use connecting words of condition, cause or purpose, like "nevertheless", " in view of the fact" or "therefore" etc. make sure that the relationship really exists in your text.
Accuracy Accuracy means using words and phrases with precision. Many words mean roughly the same thing, but not quite. Develop a sense of the precise meaning and usage of words.
Work to improve your knowledge of words and phrases in order to increase accuracy. Use the right word to say exactly what you mean to say.
Avoid using the incorrect forms of words. For example, "I am hunger" instead of "I am hungry". Avoid using the singular form of a word when the plural form is required.
Be as specific as possible. Avoid vague expressions.
Effectiveness Learn how to convey your ideas and convince the reader of your point of view. Organize your ideas according to a clear plan.
Use theme sentences in your key paragraphs to let the reader know what is coming.
Stay with one main idea per paragraph.
Make sure that all statements can be justified or proven from experience or other proof.
Do not make easily challenged statements.
Avoid dramatic language. Understatement is more credible.
Avoid slang, contractions or idioms in most situations.
Have definite opinions. Do not leave the reader wondering what you think.
Normal Usage There are often different views as to what constitutes correct grammar. But in fact usage can vary with time and place. LingQ's correctors will decide what they feel is not normal usage. This may not mean it is incorrect, but it will mean that in the mind of the corrector this is not how one normally says things in English. It is always possible to debate these corrections, but we think it is unimportant to do so. Focus on meaning, not rules.
Our corrector will also identify the type of mistakes that you are making. If you have trouble with them it will show up in the statistics and your tutor will show you how to improve. Some of the mistake categories are Verbs Articles Prepositions Punctuation Word order Choice of words Our corrector will replace incorrect phrases with new correct phrases for you to learn. You will see the changes made by the corrector and should try to understand why the changes were made. It is up to you to look at what you have written and analyze the problems. You should then learn the correct phrase and look for similar phrases in your reading and listening.You should import the correct text and study it, saving words to your datebase.
Our correctors may provide some grammar rules in their explanations but mostly you need to learn to write by constant exposure and practice. We want you to develop a feel for usage rather than relying on explanations. At first you may find this difficult, but in the long run it is better because it will help you to naturally express yourself correctly.
Rewriting Even the best writers, writing in their native language, make mistakes. Often they write something that is not clear or logical. Certainly I do this all the time. That is why it is important to review what you have written, if you are writing for work or at school. This helps you to focus on your writing and catch your mistakes. If you catch your own mistakes you are less likely to make the mistakes again.
However, a LingQ we want to find out what your weaknesses are. So just write as if you were speaking. Let any problems you have with structure just come out naturally. That way it will be easier to write. That way you can learn from your mistakes, and apply this to your spoken English as well.
Take the time to write. It will increase your power to communicate effectively, not only in writing but also in speaking. Good luck!
