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Effective writers choose words carefully, paying attention to meaning, form, idiomatic phrasing, and freshness.

W2-a Replace incorrect words with intended words.

Check a dictionary when you are uncertain of meaning. Watch for incorrect words and for words similar in meaning or sound. (See also the Glossary of Frequently Misused Words.)

W2-b Use correct prepositions.

Short as they generally are, prepositions define crucial relationships for the reader.

If prepositions are a problem in your writing, note how other writers use them.

W2-c Use standard idioms.

Read and listen carefully to get a sense of standard idioms, especially the ones that consist of small words, such as prepositions, and verb forms.

W2-d Eliminate clichés or overused expressions.

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Readers prefer lively, original expressions to worn phrases.

W2-e Select the correct form of the word that you intend.

If you are learning to use an unfamiliar word or are struggling to find a word whose meaning fits, you may use the wrong form. A good dictionary can help you determine which form of a word fits your context.

W2-f Use appropriate figures of speech.

Figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors, can express comparisons, make a complex idea easier to understand, or bring a scene or character to life for your readers.

Make sure that any figure of speech that you use is clear, appropriate, and consistent.

Also avoid mixed metaphors, as in the following example, in which the soul is compared to both a criminal defendant and a plant.