Working in English when it is not your first.
WHAT MATTERS MOST
Being understood.
WHAT MATTERS LESS THAN PEOPLE FEAR
Perfect grammar.
WHY
Readers forgive small errors and do not forgive unclear meaning.
WHAT TO PRIORITISE
Short sentences Simple structures Common words
WHY SHORT SENTENCES HELP
They reduce the opportunity for error and improve clarity for everyone.
WHAT TO AVOID
Attempting complex constructions to sound sophisticated Idioms you are unsure of Translating structures from your first language directly
WHY THAT LAST ONE
Word order and prepositions differ, and direct translation produces confusion.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT UNCERTAINTY
Use the simpler construction you are confident in.
WHAT TOOLS HELP
Spelling and grammar checking Reading your text aloud Having a colleague review important messages
WHAT TO ASK A REVIEWER
Whether the meaning is clear, first.
WHAT TO BUILD
A collection of phrasings you know work, for recurring situations.
WHAT TO READ
Well-written material in the language, regularly.
WHY
It builds pattern recognition faster than study.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
That many readers are also writing in a second language.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Clear simple English serves everyone.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Apologise for your English.
WHY
It draws attention to something readers rarely notice.
