Writing Book 5 · Lesson 19
Adjective and noun combinations — use the words
Some words simply go together, and the pairing has to be learned rather than worked out.
The words
a common mistake
an error many make
a significant change
a big change
a possible cause
something that might do it
a detailed account
a full description
a valid point
a fair point
a minor problem
a small problem
a broad definition
a wide meaning
Watch how it is built
1a common mistake means about the same as an error many make.
That is a common mistake.
2a significant change means about the same as a big change.
We saw a significant change.
3a possible cause means about the same as something that might do it.
Heat is a possible cause.
Two ways to say it
✗ That is an error many make. — this is not wrong, but it is everyday talk.
✓ That is a common mistake. — this is how a writer says it.
Ask yourself: “Have I heard these two words together before?”
Remember
Choose the pairing a reader expects.
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