Sentence correction tip – 10 ‘not-so-obvious’ usages
1. use a verb, not its noun form
An action expressed in the verb form is more effective than the noun form; a noun form creates wordy prepositional phrases.
Action verb- decide
Noun form of the verb - decision
Example 1
Ineffective: Her decision was to invite her colleagues to the dinner that is being hosted by her.
Effective: She decided to invite her colleagues to the dinner party she is hosting.
Here, decided, a ‘working/action verb’ is more effective than the noun form, ‘decision’
Example 2
Ineffective: In the current fiscal year, both target of its production was reached by the factory and the amount of effluents was reduced.
Effective: In the current fiscal year, the factory both reached production target and reduced the amount of effluents.
Example 3
Ineffective: The Indian government demanded the withdrawal of security forces by China from the border and that the bunkers put up within Indian territory be removed.
Effective: The Indian government demanded that China withdraw its forces from the border and remove the bunkers put up within the Indian territory.
Example 4
Ineffective: The dissidents’ objection was against the delaying of election of party functionaries by the high command.
Effective: The dissidents objected to the high command’s delaying the election of party functionaries.
Example 5
ineffective: The coach’s encouragement was influential to the team, for good performance.
Effective: The coach encouraged the team to perform well.
