Bad Grammar and Other Problems Editors Don’t Want to See in Manuscripts

When reading an important manuscript, any demanding editor should always take note of the usual errors and problems that may be scattered throughout the composition. Some publishers instantly return copies for review after discovering grammatical errors and content distortions on the front pages. Most writers are so busy that they overlook poor grammar and usage, misspellings, typos, incorrect punctuation, and other issues.

Most copies and manuscripts are not approved for publication after submission. Editors require reviews to make sure compositions are flawless and perfect. Many writers strive to minimize the potential problems of revisions.

Bad grammar is the main problem writers and editors have. Each sentence must be grammatically correct so that the message is conveyed more effectively. Most editors are strict when it comes to grammar because they assume that all writers are already very skilled and careful when it comes to it. No editor would leave bad grammar uncorrected. There is one exception to this. If the incorrect grammar is within character dialogue or within the exact words of the people quoted, then it should be written as is.

Here are some other common issues publishers take note of that lead them to seek a review or, worse, reject a copy outright.

Redundancy reflects the coherence and awareness of the writer. No reader would appreciate a copy full of redundant ideas. Space must be used wisely and efficiently. Repetition of ideas should be avoided unless there is strong emphasis. Redundancy in the misuse of words could also be observed. Examples are: repeat again, time period, check back, past experience, gift, and the like.

Bad paragraphs occur when paragraphs are too long or incorrectly spaced. As a general rule, make sure only one idea is addressed in a single paragraph. The good ones are also almost always about three sentences long. Ten sentences in a paragraph can be uncomfortable to look at and to think about.

Wrong facts are considered deadly sins in writing. Due and proper care must be given in including important information and facts in the composition. Accuracy always matters. Any writer needs to make sure that the data is well researched so that the readers are not misled. It is the responsibility of the editors to ensure that such errors do not happen, but it is also more the responsibility of any writer to ensure that the wrong facts are avoided.

Punctuation errors are just as serious as grammatical errors. This is because punctuations play a critical role in readers’ comprehension and fluency. There should be no sudden stops and starts. Writers are expected to already master the use of periods, question marks, commas, exclamation points, and even apostrophes. There are many other punctuation marks that are involved. But experts advise writers to stay away, as much as possible, from parentheses, colons, and hyphens if your goal is to significantly avoid potential errors.