{"id":5581,"date":"2018-12-24T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-24T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/?p=5581"},"modified":"2024-01-23T14:53:02","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T19:53:02","slug":"grammar-rules-you-should-break-for-website-copywriting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/grammar-rules-you-should-break-for-website-copywriting\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammar Rules You Should Break for Website Copywriting"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Grammar rules exist so we can express what we have to say with clarity and ease. But the online world has turned those rules upside down.<\/p>\n

See what we did there? We started a sentence with a conjunction and\u00a0used a sentence fragment, all in one shot. And that\u2019s ok! It\u2019s not that grammar doesn\u2019t matter anymore, it\u2019s just that the rules are a little different when you\u2019re writing for the web.<\/p>\n

An online audience needs to receive and process information quickly, and that changes the way we need to do things. Here are 7 rules that have no place in web copy – so just go ahead and break \u2018em!<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Use Sentence Fragments<\/h2>\n

A sentence should have a subject, a verb, and an object. Unless you\u2019re writing for the web.<\/p>\n

When it comes to web copy, sentence fragments are where it\u2019s at. They help draw the reader in because it’s more personal and sounds like real speech patterns. Plus, shorter sentences are easier for the reader to digest \u2013 and we all know that that the average internet user has a very\u00a0short attention span.<\/p>\n

Never Start A Sentence With A Conjunction<\/h2>\n

Traditional grammar rules say that you should never start a sentence with and, but, because, or also. But as we already demonstrated, we\u2019re all for that!<\/p>\n

When it comes to web writing, short and sweet is best \u2013 and sometimes that means breaking down sentences in unusual ways.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t End A Sentence With A Preposition<\/h2>\n

As a writer, there are probably some grammar rules that you will always abide by, no matter what. This is one of those rules for us \u2013 we just can\u2019t stand ending a sentence with a preposition.<\/p>\n

However, that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t do it! The rule of thumb is, you should write how you speak. If you want to end your sentences with \u201cit,\u201d \u201cat,\u201d or \u201cto,\u201d then go for it. (And if you\u2019re not entirely sure what a preposition is, check out this handy list<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Always Spell Out Numbers<\/h2>\n

The old rules say numbers 10 and under should be spelled out, but we say pshaw to that! Web writing is meant to be scanned quickly and digested easily \u2013 and the less actual reading a visitor has to do, the better. Just make sure you\u2019re consistent: don\u2019t spell out \u201cthree\u201d in one paragraph and then use \u201c3\u201d in the next.<\/p>\n

Paragraphs Must Be 3-5 Sentences Long<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s be honest: sometimes it just doesn\u2019t take 4 sentences to complete a thought. You shouldn\u2019t have to add in fluff just to make your paragraph technically correct.<\/p>\n

1-2 sentences are perfect for web readers. Short paragraphs break things up and make it easier to skim, keeping the audience engaged all the way to the end.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Use Nouns As Verbs<\/h2>\n

This rule was just meant to be broken. The practice is so common now that some nouns have actually become\u00a0verbs (like when you \u201cbook\u201d a flight). This is a rule we\u2019ve all been disregarding for years \u2013 and if you say that you\u2019ve never gone \u201cbrunching\u201d or you\u2019ve never \u201celbowed\u201d your way out of a crowd, you\u2019d be lying.<\/p>\n

When it comes to the Internet, verbing (we made that one up) is all the rage. Consider the popular Internet meme \u201cDo you even science, bro?\u201d It\u2019s playful and fun and people love it!<\/p>\n

Avoid the Oxford Comma<\/h2>\n

This rule has, in all fairness, always been a point of contention. Some people are the pro-Oxford comma type and some are not. That’s just the way it goes.<\/p>\n

As far as web copy goes, you should only use commas when absolutely necessary \u2013 for one key reason: sentences with commas tend to be longer, and as we\u2019ve already established: shorter is better. If you can take that sentence with a comma and turn it into a fragment instead, go for it.<\/p>\n

Remember, you\u2019re not writing a research paper. Writing for the internet is, by and large, much\u00a0less formal. The goal is to speak directly to your ideal client, to sound like a trusted friend, and to come off as relatable and fun. You can\u2019t do that if you\u2019re busy being the grammar police.<\/p>\n

Bottom line? (Grammar) rules are meant to be broken.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Grammar rules exist so we can express what we have to say with clarity and ease. But the online world has turned those rules upside down. See what we did there? We started a sentence with a conjunction and\u00a0used a sentence fragment, all in one shot. And that\u2019s ok! It\u2019s not that grammar doesn\u2019t matter Read More ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[254],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tips-and-advice"],"yoast_head":"\nGrammar Rules You Should Break | InMotion Hosting Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Grammar rules exist so we can express what we have to say with clarity and ease. But has the online world changed these rules? 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