A Grammar Guide: Do You Write Good or Do You Write Well?

When talking about first impressions, we are often counseled, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” However, never once has someone said, “Don’t judge a book by its writing.”

In today’s digital world, many first impressions occur via email. In these instances, we are not judged by our looks or our perceived charisma, but we are judged by our ability to write. Being a good writer is paramount, and good writing starts with good grammar.

Below are three common grammatical challenges professionals often face, as well as three guides to help you become a grammar guru.

The Misplaced Comma

Business Insider published an easy-to-follow guide on how to use the comma. If you feel uncertain when using a comma, print this article and keep it within arm’s reach of your computer. For many years, I kept a one-page comma guide by my computer.

Run-On Sentences

On this blog, a college professor provides five alternatives to fix your run-on sentence. Run-on sentences are confusing to read. When making a first impression, you don’t want the receiver of your communication to walk away from the interaction confused.

Adverbs vs. Adjectives

If you know the correct answer to the question posed in the title of this post, then you can skip this section. If you’re someone who writes good, then keep reading. This section is for you! Knowing how to properly use adverbs makes you appear more intelligent and eloquent. This chart will help you understand how to use adverbs effectively.

The English language can be challenging. There are many rules and exceptions to those same rules. Using the above guides, or simply googling a grammar question when you’re uncertain, can make a significant difference in the way you present yourself in written communication.