So you think you're good at English? And writing a press release is a piece of cake?
See how many of these 'golden rules' you regularly break.
(if you can't see the funny side, you're worse than you thought).
- Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
- Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
- And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.
- It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
- Avoid cliche's like the plague.
- Also, always avoid annoying alliteration.
- Be more or less specific.
- Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary.
- Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
- Contractions aren't necessary and shouldn't be used.
- Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
- Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous.
- Comparisons are as bad as cliche's.
- Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
- Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary.
- Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
- Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
- Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth-shaking ideas.
- Puns are for children, not groan readers.
- Who needs rhetorical questions?
- Exaggeration is a billion times worse than under-statement.
- Proof read carefully to see if you any words out.