Comma, semicolon or colon, which one should I use?
Have I mixed past and present tense verbs in my story?
Do my subjects and verbs agree?
Do I have misplaced modifiers?
Aaahhh. English grammar can be infuriating and confusing. But a manuscript riddled with incorrect grammar is a sure-fire trip to File 13. What do you do to fix it?
7 ways to overcome those grammar problems.
- Use MS Word’s grammar check. OK, not a guarantee, but this is one trick I used to discover passive voice in my work when I first started writing fiction.
- Take a class, online or offline.
- Use an AI program, though be cautious with this one. Better to buy a grammar reference book and study it. Keep it handy and refer to it during the revision process. I use Writer’s Digest Grammar Desk Reference.
- Ask a friend for help. Be confident his/her skills are excellent or you might be going backwards.
- Bookmark Mignon Fogarty’s website Quick and Dirty Tips. Mignon’s site is my go-to website on all things grammar.
- Read, read, read. Learn from best selling writers by reading and studying their books.
- Hire an editor. There are plenty of us out there. Interview several before you commit.
Maybe English grammar isn’t your strength, but don’t let that stop you from being a writer!
What is your toughest grammar issue? Do you have a resource you find especially helpful? Please share it in the comments below.