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What are some common mistakes that writers make when using compound sentences, and how can these be avoided?

Jackson Toal

Well, my dear reader, let me tell you that the world of writing can be a bit of a bumpy ride, especially when it comes to crafting compound sentences. We’ve all been there, trying to put together a well-crafted sentence that is both eloquent and grammatically sound, only to end up with a convoluted mess of clauses and phrases. Fear not, my fellow writers, for I will guide you through some common mistakes and show you how to avoid them.

First and foremost, writers often make the mistake of overusing conjunctions. We get it, conjunctions are like the building blocks of a compound sentence, but it’s important to remember that less is more. Don’t take this as an invitation to remove them altogether, but rather, choose your conjunctions wisely. Instead of using “and” or “but” every other word, try using transitional words such as “however” or “moreover” to add variety to your writing and create a smoother flow that won’t make your readers dizzy.

Secondly, and this is a big one, writers tend to create run-on sentences which can lead to your readers getting lost or losing interest in your writing entirely. So, how can we avoid this? Simple, just remember to use punctuation. A well-placed comma, semicolon or period can make all the difference. If you find yourself trying to cram too many ideas into one sentence, try breaking it up into two or three smaller, concise sentences. This will not only make your writing easier to follow, but it will also improve the overall readability of your piece.

Moving on, a third mistake that many writers make when using compound sentences is not maintaining parallelism. I know, it sounds like a complicated grammar term, but bear with me. Parallelism refers to using the same structure or grammatical form for multiple elements within a sentence. This helps to create a sense of balance and consistency. For example, instead of writing “I love hiking, running, and to ride my bike”, try “I love hiking, running, and biking.” By keeping the structure consistent, it makes the sentence much easier to read, and, dare I say, a bit pleasing to the eye.

Lastly, writers can make the mistake of connecting two ideas that have little to no relationship with each other. This can lead to confusion and ultimately, a lack of engagement with your readers. To avoid this, make sure that the two ideas you’re connecting are logically related. Take for example this sentence, “She loves to read books and never misses a yoga class”. While both activities are great, they have no connection to each other, making the sentence feel disjointed. Instead, try something like “She loves to read books on fitness and is always eager to try new yoga poses.” This sentence creates a clear relationship between the two ideas and keeps your readers engaged.

So, there you have it, my fellow writers. Remember to choose your conjunctions wisely, use punctuation, maintain parallelism, and connect related ideas. By avoiding these common mistakes when crafting compound sentences, your writing will not only be grammatically correct but also captivating to read. Happy writing!