Avoid Slang & Colloquialisms
Leila - September 15th
Conversational speech is filled with slang and colloquial expressions. Slang terms and colloquialisms can be confusing to the reader, since these expressions are not universally understood. Even worse, such informal writing may give readers the impression that you are poorly educated or arrogant.
- INAPPROPRIATE: He is really into gardening.
- CORRECT: He enjoys gardening.
- INAPPROPRIATE: She plays a wicked game of tennis.
- CORRECT: She excels at tennis.
- INAPPROPRIATE: Myra has got to go to Memphis for a week.
- CORRECT: Myra must go to Memphis for a week.
- INAPPROPRIATE: Joan's been doing science for eight years now.
- CORRECT: Joan has been a scientist for eight years now.
