As your writing career progresses, you will notice that many accomplished authors break grammar rules time after time. But how about business writing — can you break the rules in a white paper, blog post or marketing flyer? Sure, you can!
As any content marketer or editor will remind you, engaging content is vital for building and retaining a loyal fan base. Here I share my list of the top rules you can break (without feeling an ounce of guilt). The key to breaking each is knowing when to do so and when to continue following conventional English rules.
Never end a statement with a preposition.
Sometimes, ending a statement with a preposition is better than the alternative. Consider these two questions: "From where did you come?" and "Where did you come from?" While the first one follows conventional English rules, the second one is easier to read.
Never start a sentence with a conjuction (and, but, for, nor, so, or, yet).
Just as it is acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition, it’s also fine to begin a sentence with a conjuction. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Avoid using the third person plural pronoun they when you mean he or she.
While many editors might argue you can always use a third person singular pronoun, sometimes there’s no reason for rewriting a perfectly good sentence. For example: "Each person should do as they see fit." One alternative would be to replace they with he or she, which would make the sentence clunky and disrupt its flow.
Do not split infinitives.
I can’t imagine a world where “To boldly go where no one has gone before” would have been rewritten as, “To go boldly where no one has gone before.” I salute Gene Roddenberry and Samuel Peeples for disregarding this rule every day.
Paragraphs must consist of several sentences.
Sometime less is better, especially when trying to make a point.
Don’t use personal pronouns.
Not sure who came up with this rule, but I’ve seen it quoted in many “how to write” articles, especially when referring to the use of the first person singular pronoun, I. Here’s my two cents: If you're drafting a memoir or giving advice, opt for first person. If not, you might want to stick with the more conventional third person pronouns.
Avoid contractions.
While overusing contractions might limit the gravitas of your writing, there’s nothing wrong with using contractions at all. In today’s digital age, contractions are necessary for brevity.
Refrain from using slang.
Sometimes using slang words, especially in communications aimed at a specific target audience, can help you connect with your readers better. The key is to keep your audience in mind, not overuse slang words and, most definitely, avoid jargon (such as utilize for use).
Always spell out numbers.
Luckily, I follow the Associated Press Stylebook, which recommends using figures starting with the number 10 (and dismisses the Oxford comma — yay!). With that said, there are instances in which using figures for all numbers is best, such as in flyers or digital ads.
Don’t use passive voice.
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, passive voice is best. This is especially the case in situations where rewriting a sentence using active voice ruins the overall flow, not to mention, the message’s tone.
While these are my top 10 rules, there are countless more. Which one is you favorite rule to break? Also, feel free to email me other rules I may have omitted.
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