1. Use connectors to make complex sentences (Note the punctuation and sentence pattern too!)Wrong: Some people tend to overspend, they do not earn that much.

   Better:

   1. Some individuals tend to overspend although they do not earn that much.
   2. Although/While some people do not earn that much, their expenditures exceed their income.
   3. Despite their limited revenues, some individuals’ expenses exceed their earning.
   4. A large section of the population does not necessarily earn exceptionally high income, but/yet they tend to incur excessive expenses.

 

 

• Use gerund (V-ing) to connect sentences.Wrong: Unemployment rate increase lead to higher crime rates need to be addressed immediately.

  Right:

  1. An increase in the rate of unemployment which would lead to higher crime rates needs to be addressed immediately.
  2. An increase in the rate of unemployment potentially leading to higher crime rates has to be addressed immediately.

 

 

• Use infinitive (to + v(1)) vs. Gerund interchangeably.Wrong:  It is not easy pass the English exam.

  Better:

  1. It is not easy to pass the English exam.
  2. Passing the English exam is not easy.

 

 

• Do the passive to introduce a point.Wrong: Some people always think passing an exam is only lucky.

  Better:

  1. Some people always assume that passing an exam is merely a matter of luck.
  2. It is invariably assumed that passing an exam partly depends on luck.

 

 

• Use a Noun Clause as a Subject.Usual: It is questionable what causes the problem.

  Better: What has caused the problem is questionable.

 

 

• Use a ‘perfect’ Modal.Usual: People can prevent the problem if they know first.

  Better: The problem could have been prevented.

Happy New Year and Happy Holiday!

 

24 December 2017

Telaga