- Follow the basic subject-predicate word order for sentences: subject, verb, indirect object, and direct object.
- Make sure sentences have both a subject and a predicate and express a complete thought.
- Respect sentence boundaries. Do not let two or more independent clauses run together.
- Keep modifiers as close as possible to the words they modify.
- Use parallel structure for any series of actions or items or the not only/but also construction.
- Make sure verbs agree in number with their subjects.
- Keep the verb tenses consistent.
- Use the correct subject or object form of personal pronouns. Determine whether a pronoun is functioning as a subject or object in the sentence.
- Use apostrophes with pronouns to show contraction only. Pronouns do not need apostrophes to show possession.
- Use who for people, use that for things, and which for nonessential clause that do not refer to people.
- Make sure pronouns agree in number and person with their antecedents.
- Be consistent in pronoun point of view.
- Use less (meaning a smaller amount) for singular nouns representing quantity of degree. Use fewer (meaning a smaller number) for plural nouns and countable items.
- Use good and bad to modify nouns and pronouns; use well and badly to modify verbs.
- In comparisons, add -er or -est to short modifiers. For longer words, use more/the most or less/the least before the modifier.
- Do not use double comparisons.
- Do not use double negatives.
- Use idioms correctly.
- Be concise. Avoid unnecessary repetition and wordiness.
- Be precise. Use exact words.
- Avoid ambiguity. Make sure word choice and pronoun references are clear and modifiers properly placed.
- In general, use an active voice.
- Use variety in sentence structure.
- Avoid jargon and pretentious language.
Hope this can be useful for you.
And as always, rules are meant to bend, not broken.
