Questions tagged [writing-advice]
The writing-advice tag has no usage guidance.
55
questions
1
vote
0
answers
62
views
Sentence improvement too redundant [closed]
Can this be improved?
The last tale of success on a constructed new programming language is
one at the famous X, LLC.
or,
The last tale of success of a constructed new programming language is
one ...
- 115
1
vote
0
answers
53
views
Out-of-fashion pronominal adverbs [closed]
I'm not a native English speaker. When writing papers, I find myself using English pronominal adverbs (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:English_pronominal_adverbs) rather often, especially '...
- 111
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the best way to describe a event which was well organized so much that there was no tension while event was going on?
I am looking for the right words to describe an event which was meticulously planned and executed. I want to stress on the fact that the managers / professors overlooking the event were relaxed as ...
- 101
0
votes
1
answer
27
views
Shall I use “the” before “sound” and also “smell” ( the sound and the smell or the sound and smell ? ) [duplicate]
I adore the sound and [the] smell of the rain falling at a late quiet night.
When should I keep the second “the” in the sentence?
- 1
3
votes
2
answers
212
views
Hyphenation of compound modifiers that have written-out numeric ranges in them
Is either of these approaches to hyphenation currently more popular than the other one is when it comes to printed publications?
The drug is most promising for three-to-fifteen-year-old children.
The ...
- 57
5
votes
9
answers
814
views
Is there a word for when bizarre, incredible things become so common that you aren't fazed by them anymore? [closed]
I'm trying to think of a phenomenon for my story where if you live in a sci-fi universe, the denizens don't really see new, amazing things like teleportation out of the ordinary because they already ...
- 59
0
votes
0
answers
949
views
The present paper VS the current paper
I am writing an article. I wonder if the two following expressions are equivalent when I refer to the article and compare it with another article? or is there any semantic difference between them?
-...
- 201
0
votes
4
answers
284
views
How to ensure clarity in long sentences
I wasn't sure how to phrase the title more precisely, so I welcome suggestions or edits.
Companies spend 65% of their profits on buying back their shares
because CEOs are incentivised to jack up the ...
- 419
0
votes
1
answer
283
views
Writing style guidelines on gerund (ab)use
In novel writing, there is general advice not to use gerunds (i.e. verb forms ending with -ing). In general, that makes sense. "She was going to the store" -> "She went to the store&...
- 518
0
votes
1
answer
44
views
Grammar and semantics [closed]
Is the following sentence grammatically and semantically right?
"Despite what was in the past, nowadays extended family is an integral part of our lives"
-1
votes
1
answer
67
views
It should be used **with** in this paragraph?
Should be used with in this paragraph to indicate the contribution that she could do by studying a specific master's program?
Using water is necessary but it needs to be done carefully to avoid ...
- 89
0
votes
3
answers
44
views
Writing a comparative sentence with two comparative parameters [closed]
Consider two aqueous solutions:
Solution 1
Solution 2
Then note that:
The temperature of the solution 1 is higher than that of the solution 2.
The pressure of the solution 1 is lower than that of ...
- 51
0
votes
2
answers
823
views
How to describe putting on a coat [closed]
Is there a way to "he put on his coat" without actually using the verb "put on"? A friend suggested "he dressed his coat" but it sounds very strange to me.
1
vote
1
answer
346
views
"For the sake of " in IELTS writing [closed]
Can I use "for the sake of" in my IELTS writing essay ? Thanks
- 19
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
Has "which were" been omitted before " noted" in this text?
Has "which were" been omitted before " noted" in this text?
But there is no other evidence that the Persians of this period were the slaves of any such superstitions as that noted by Ammianus.
0
votes
0
answers
28
views
Is this expressed correctly? [duplicate]
I have been directed here, so I hope that this question is allowed.
I need English feedback on this sentence about computer programming, please.
I'm helping a friend in Poland with his résumé, but I ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
59
views
Difference between "relationship" and "relation" [duplicate]
How can I easily differentiate between when to use "relationship" and "relation". More often than not, I tend to use "relationship", but would really like to know how these are to be used in writing. ...
- 7
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
Is "since" necessary in the sentence? "Never speak harsh words, since once spoken they may return to you." [closed]
I got this sentence from my English class. Some said 'since' can be omitted.
1
vote
0
answers
54
views
Masters or Master's (for my specific situation) [duplicate]
I'm going to apply for the statistics graduate school at UCSB. So is it okay to say I am the "Applicant for UCSB Statistics Master"? Or any suggestions about other forms, like "UCSB Masters Applicant" ...
- 119
0
votes
0
answers
1k
views
The use of indeed at the begining of a paragraph
Is it appropriate to use indeed at the beginning of a paragraph?
I have two paragraphs as follows:
Paragraph "A" describing some concepts that are better to be considered in a class of methods, name ...
- 13
0
votes
0
answers
109
views
Does the sentence "This bleak picture" makes sense?
i'm not an english native speaker and i'm writing lyrics in english.
I've came across the sentence "This bleak picture" but i'm wondering -even though it might be grammaticaly correct and that ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
42
views
Can I use 'I' in an essay? [duplicate]
Can I use 'I' in an essay, can I address myself and explain things from my perspective ? (without twisting or bending facts of course)
- 103
0
votes
1
answer
64
views
"seek" without preposition sounds weird [closed]
I am writing the following sentence (I made it shorter for this question):
To achieve a better bound, we seek graphs with the following property.
I read that using the phrase "seek for" is not ...
- 103
1
vote
2
answers
83
views
how do I make my essay impactful? [closed]
I have the ideas but I cant pen them down.I get the following problems while writing an essay:
1. I dont know where to start or end.
2. I cant maintain continuity in my essay.
3. my language skills ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
16k
views
Starting a sentence with 'With us" [closed]
I have been told that one should not start a sentence with 'With us". And to be honest, I have never seen it in use either.
So, is it correct to say - "With us, you get access to the finest hotel ...
- 380
2
votes
6
answers
40k
views
What would you call a person who doesn't know what they like or will do with their life?
What would you call a person who would always response with 'I don't know' when thinking about their likes, favourite things, or their future (like plans for the next day or what they want their life ...
- 190
0
votes
2
answers
112
views
Connecting consequences and premises
“Hence”, “therefore”, “ergo”, “so”, “thereupon”, and “thus” are examples of connectors where the premises are written before the conclusion. I am looking for ways to connect a consequence and its ...
- 117
0
votes
1
answer
61
views
Appropriate word order in a long sentence
I composed the below sentences to mean
The company should contribute to the sustainability by:
Proactive development of environmentally friendly products
Reducing environmental load
Which sentence ...
- 325
-1
votes
1
answer
65
views
Academic writing: enumerating properties of which several may apply
In an academic paper I currently say the following:
State-of-the-art research tackles parts of the problem: security and multi-tenancy solutions exist but require hardware, do not meet shared use ...
- 3
0
votes
1
answer
101
views
How to indicate that verification/correction is requested in the document
I’ve been tasked to write a document (like a wiki) about an application for work. I don't know much about the app, other than what I'm understanding by reading the source code and minimal business ...
- 101
1
vote
0
answers
674
views
How to describe 'Mutual Benefits' in academic terms in the following?
I am writing a proposal for a joint collaboration with a University in Singapore. I aim to use their facilities to gain hands-on experience.
In the following, the excerpt from my proposal is ...
- 117
0
votes
2
answers
839
views
How to reconstruct a sentence to avoid words like but, yet, still, although and though?
I often find difficult to avoid those words.
It'd be fine in articles, essays, etc if it was only because of the repetitiveness, there are three words or more for it, but in longer texts, like novels, ...
- 201
0
votes
2
answers
119
views
Ideas on rephrasing the sentence below, please
"The privilege of serving people and improving their quality of life motivates me to pursue lifelong education and contribution to the dental knowledge and community."
I feel that the last part "...
0
votes
1
answer
45
views
Usage of "is" in messages [closed]
Which among the two below is correct?
Usage Data unavailable.
OR
Usage Data is unavailable.
- 103
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Are text Readability Scores good indicators of advanced English skills? [closed]
This question is pretty subjective but will be useful for those who want to be English writers.
Basically, I wrote a short story which contains the following attributes :
Word count: 1200
Unique ...
user36767
1
vote
2
answers
63
views
What's the best way to solve this run on sentence (lots of "and"s)?
I have to change a description for something in our app, and I was given this sentence:
Create, edit and delete camera assignments and camera and DVR settings.
Now the lack of an Oxford comma is ...
- 125
1
vote
1
answer
980
views
How to say that something is the same regarding each pair in a group of different pairs of things?
They are two scenarios that I am comparing. Each scenario has 2 variation that slightly differ from one another. The first variation of the first scenario parallels the first variation of the second ...
- 3,336
2
votes
0
answers
1k
views
How can you exactly substitute an adverb? (Pun intended) [closed]
Adverbs seem unnecessary, even redundant, to many editors. They suggest replacing an adverb with a stronger, more specific verb. I disagree.
Here is a sentence from C. S. Lewis's "Problem of Pain":
...
- 29
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Preposition of manner
What is the way to place these sentences below? Are they fine or are there some rules?
"Mayra is very happy in her life with Harry."
"Mayra is very happy with Harry in her life."
-2
votes
1
answer
313
views
Ways of using exult in a sentence? [closed]
I just discovered what "exult" means, and would like to learn how to use it so it functions properly in a sentence.
For example, is this correct?
The Catholic Church exulted in its successes.
...
- 151
0
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Where to give the title in precis writing—at the beginning or at the end?
In my English guide book there are some examples on precis writing. But the title of every precis is given at the end. Is it a rule to write a precis that way, or do I need to give the title at the ...
5
votes
1
answer
319k
views
How to respond politely and professionally to an email requesting information? [closed]
I have received the following email
Hello,
Thank you for applying to UCB. We would like to call you
briefly between the hours of 10:50 A.M. EST and noon on January 31.
Please provide ...
- 247
3
votes
3
answers
70k
views
How to avoid using lot of I's in the personal essay? [closed]
I am writing my statement of purpose for applying to grad school.
When I read my statement of purpose I see a lot of "I"s:
I did this
I worked on this
I want to
I got to learn this
I got to ...
- 247
2
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How to differentiate between writing an introduction and a conclusion? [closed]
I know this sounds silly but bear with me. In the introduction, I state my thesis and briefly point out the ideas to follow. In a conclusion, I re-state the ideas that I have discussed in the body. I ...
- 311
2
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Expressing sudden interruption in written, narrative speech
Question: What is the lexical technique for expressing sudden interruptions in written, narrative speech?
For example:
I was walking down the street when— wait! Look at that!
In the example above,...
- 485
6
votes
3
answers
18k
views
What is the difference between “any” or ”every”?
Consider:
The system is deterministic if any two runs produce the same result.
Can I say every instead of any in every such sentence?
- 1
-1
votes
2
answers
429
views
Grammatically incorrect or just awkward?
Is this grammatically incorrect or just clunky?
If you put time into it you will be rewarded as you master all the different techniques.
EDIT (copied from a reply below):
I’ll add a bit of ...
0
votes
1
answer
51k
views
What can I replace the word “I” with in my cover letter? [duplicate]
When proofing my résumé’s cover letter, I found that I am writing I way too much. I have read that this is a potential turn-off for employers.
Does anyone have suggestions on how to replace I with ...
- 1
0
votes
4
answers
534
views
Should I use interchangable terms in academic writing?
In academic writing (when writing to a journal), should I stick to the same terms throughout a paper, e.g.
Twenty participants participated to the study. The participants received monetary ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Is switching between first, second and third person in this context OK?
As this is my first question here I'd like to make a short introduction. I work in Estonia. As one of very few native speakers I landed a job as a content writer / proofreader. I'm not a great writer, ...
- 3