Use common, simple verb tenses like present and past.<\/p>\n
Present usually works for both present and future situations.<\/p>\n
Write:<\/span><\/strong> If you do not do this, OW counts the money as income in the month you get it.<\/p>\n Not:<\/span><\/strong> If you do not do this, OW will count the money as income in the month you get it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When you add \u201cing\u201d to the end of a verb, it becomes a present participle form of the verb or a gerund, which is a noun.<\/p>\n Because it\u2019s best to keep verb tenses simple, avoid adding \u201cing\u201d when possible.<\/p>\n Write:<\/span><\/strong> There are 3 ways to make a complaint with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council. You can:<\/p>\n Not:<\/span><\/strong> The 3 ways to make a complaint with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council are:<\/p>\n But in headings, there may be times when it works better to use the \u201cing\u201d form.<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> Applying for assistance or<\/strong> Appealing a decision<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Avoid using nominalizations<\/strong>, which are also called hidden verbs or frozen verbs.<\/p>\n These are verbs that are turned into nouns by adding an ending like \u201ction\u201d and \u201cment\u201d.<\/p>\n Write:<\/span><\/strong> The Family Responsibility Office enforces<\/strong> support orders and collects <\/strong>support payments.<\/p>\n Not:<\/span><\/strong> The function of the Family Responsibility Office is the enforcement <\/strong>of support orders and collection <\/strong>of support payments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Be careful about using phrasal verbs<\/strong>, especially if the audience includes a lot of readers who are learning English.<\/p>\n A phrasal verb is a verb that\u2019s followed by a preposition or an adverb. This combination creates a meaning different from the original.<\/p>\n Examples of phrasal verbs:<\/strong><\/p>Words ending in \u201cing\u201d<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
Avoid nominalizations<\/h2>\n
Phrasal verbs<\/h2>\n
\n
\n