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Writing Feedback

This note is populated based on lessons learned during writing reviews with Claude. See .claude/rules/writing-feedback.md for the rule that drives this behavior.

Latin Abbreviations

e.g. and i.e

Both abbreviations are conventionally followed by a comma in American English.

Abbreviation Latin Meaning Example
e.g. exempli gratia "for example" Prefer open transitions (e.g., open stairwell)
i.e. id est "that is" Use the primary entrance (i.e., the front door)

Tip: Treat them like their English equivalents—"for example," and "that is,"—comma included.

Note: British English often omits the comma. Both styles are understood, but the comma version is considered more formally correct in American usage.

Comma Splices

What is a Comma Splice?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma.

An independent clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete idea.

Example of a Comma Splice

Do not chase perfect quantifiable metrics, sometimes "directional" outcomes are enough.

This is incorrect because both parts are independent clauses:

  1. "Do not chase perfect quantifiable metrics" — complete thought
  2. "sometimes 'directional' outcomes are enough" — complete thought

How to Fix a Comma Splice

Method Example
Period Do not chase perfect quantifiable metrics. Sometimes "directional" outcomes are enough.
Semicolon Do not chase perfect quantifiable metrics; sometimes "directional" outcomes are enough.
Conjunction Do not chase perfect quantifiable metrics, because sometimes "directional" outcomes are enough.
Em dash Do not chase perfect quantifiable metrics—sometimes "directional" outcomes are enough.

When to Use Each Method

  • Period: Creates the strongest separation. Use when the ideas are related but distinct.
  • Semicolon: Preserves a close relationship between ideas while keeping them in one sentence. Use when the second clause directly follows from or contrasts with the first.
  • Conjunction: Adds explicit logical connection (because, and, but, so). Use when you want to clarify the relationship.
  • Em dash: Adds emphasis or a dramatic pause. Use sparingly for stylistic effect.

Commonly Misspelled Words

  • compatibility
  • Not: compatability
  • Tip: Comes from "compatible" → drop the 'e', add "-ibility" (not "-ability")

Verb Tense: choose vs. chose vs. chosen

English irregular verbs don't follow the regular "-ed" pattern for past tense. Choose is a common source of errors because the spelling change is subtle.

Tense Form Example
Present choose I choose a color every morning.
Past chose I chose blue yesterday.
Past participle chosen I have chosen blue three days in a row.

Why it matters: Using "choose" when describing a past event makes the sentence read as present tense, which confuses the timeline of your narrative.

Spotted in: "I choose a friction wedge retention mechanism" — should be "I chose a friction wedge retention mechanism" because the decision was already made.

Compound Adjective Hyphenation

When two or more words work together as a single modifier before a noun, they should be hyphenated. This prevents ambiguity about which words modify what.

Position Hyphenate? Example
Before the noun Yes A well-behaved model
After the noun No The model is well behaved

Common examples: well-known author, high-quality material, self-locking mechanism, fully-constrained model.

Exception: Adverbs ending in "-ly" are never hyphenated (e.g., "a fully constrained model" is correct without a hyphen because "fully" is an -ly adverb — the reader already knows it modifies the next word).

Spotted in: "well behaved" before "model" — should be "well-behaved model." However, "fully constrained" was actually correct as-is because of the -ly exception.

Coordinate Adjectives

What are Coordinate Adjectives?

Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that independently modify the same noun. They should be separated by a comma.

How to Tell if Adjectives are Coordinate

Two tests — if either passes, use a comma:

  1. Swap test: Can you reverse the order and it still sounds natural?
  2. "And" test: Can you insert "and" between them and it still reads well?

Example

I implemented the design using the no-cost, non-commercial version of Fusion 360.

  • Swap test: "non-commercial, no-cost version" — sounds fine
  • "And" test: "no-cost and non-commercial version" — sounds fine
  • Both pass → use a comma

Coordinate vs. Cumulative Adjectives

Not all adjacent adjectives are coordinate. Cumulative adjectives build on each other in a specific order and do NOT take a comma.

Type Example Comma?
Coordinate a no-cost, non-commercial version Yes
Cumulative a big red barn No

"Big red barn" is cumulative because "red barn" is a unit that "big" modifies — you wouldn't say "red big barn" or "big and red barn."

Spotted in: "no-cost non-commercial version" — needed a comma because both adjectives independently describe "version."

Common Idioms

give (someone) pause

  • Meaning: To cause hesitation or reconsideration
  • Example: "The unexpected cost gave me pause before signing the contract."