Since English serves as a lingua franca in many fields, you may find yourself writing in English even if it’s not your first language. Whether it’s an academic paper or an oral presentation, you’ll want to make sure your English sounds natural, polished, and professional. Even if your English skills are advanced, word choice and word order can be tricky. Here are a few tips to make sure your written English shines.
US or UK English?
The first thing to consider is whether you are writing in US or UK English. This may be obvious if your target audience lives in the United States or in Britain. But what if your readers are international? If you’re preparing an article, check the journal’s guidelines to see which variant they prefer. If you’re affiliated with an organization or a company, ask your colleagues or supervisor which variant is the better choice. Even if the goal is to write in international English, a choice will have to be made whether to follow US or UK spelling.
Choosing the right word
A lot of attention is paid to false friends — words that mean one thing in your native language and another thing in English. For instance, French librairie translates to bookstore in English, not library.
But don’t forget that a single word in your native language can have more than one correct translation in English. French dernier and Spanish último both translate to last (e.g., the last car in the train). But when these adjectives relate to the most recent point in time, the correct translation is latest. I once heard a native French speaker introduce an elderly author to talk about his “last book.” This was an unintentional insult, since it meant that he would never write another one! It should be “latest book” — i.e., the most recent in a series of books that is still ongoing.
Prepositions with which
Phrases such as through which, among which, for which, etc. are very rare in English. Generally speaking, English readers don’t like their sentences to have lots of clauses that need to be unpacked. To make your English writing more idiomatic, try to avoid such interference from your native language.
Most importantly, instead of saying “among which,” use the word “including.” For instance, “The archives contain a number of documents, including police reports and judicial records.”
Don’t delay the direct object
When writing in English, the direct object usually comes immediately after the verb. If one or more clauses separate the verb from its object, this will seem clunky and awkward.
For instance, this sentence is hard to read:
Thus, the writer foregrounds, with her emphasis on contemporary details and emotionally resonant language, the intimate bond with her readers.”
If the verb and direct object are kept together, the sentence flows more naturally in English:
With her emphasis on contemporary details and emotionally resonant language, the writer foregrounds the intimate bond with her readers.”
The authorial “we”
Academic writers in some languages, including Spanish and French, often use the authorial “we.” This used to be standard in academic writing in English, but over the last 30 years or so, it has fallen out of favor. Writers in English either avoid using a first-person pronoun or simply write “I.”
Consider hiring a professional editor
Even if you know the language well, it’s a good idea to ask a native English speaker with experience in your field to correct your writing in English. Or you may want to hire a professional editor to edit your work. Your editor should have experience in the subject area, be able to cite sources for standard English usage, and be enthusiastic about working with you to craft the best version of your document.
About the author: Editor and translator Kate Deimling has over 15 years’ experience helping clients from the academic, business, and non-profit worlds express themselves in English. She translates and edits books and articles on topics including literature, history, art and art history, political science, and international affairs. She’s an ATA-certified French-to-English translator and also holds a Ph.D. in French language and literature. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, playing word games, and hanging out with her dog. You can reach her at kate@katedeimling.com.
Top photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels, flag photos by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels and Bernadett Varga via Pexels, street sign photo by Erik Mclean via Pexels, women with laptops photo by Christina Morillo via Pexels, author photo by Brian Deimling.