I am hoping you writers will offer me your thoughts on this...

Shale wrote:I see nothing wrong with your original sentence. It is not a run-on sentence.

One Tweak

A common misconception is that vast savings on trendy items means there is something wrong with the construction of the clothing.

I like to point out that grammarians are seldom published or read (outside of textbooks) and that many writing styles are technically incorrect - but pleasing to the ear. Very few of us speak correctly - and when a playwright or screenwriter uses correct grammar they say it is stilted.

Who are you writing for?

(Or more correctly - For whom are you writing?)

See what I mean?

zthatzmanz28 wrote:A common misconception is vast savings on trendy items means there is something wrong with the construction of the clothing.

Many people have the misconception that discounted trendy fashions mean the items are seconds or somehow flawed.

One possibility?

RedBedroom wrote: ...This sentence is officially driving me batty because now I am thinking "means" should be "mean."

Forgiveness Man wrote:I do agree that the sentence reads awkwardly, but not because it is a run-on. It might just be a bit clunky. Also, the items and the clothing might have an agreement issue. I'd decide if you want it to be a wide-sweeping statement encompassing all "items" or if you just want it to focus on "clothing."

for one option, I might rewrite it as something like this (Not saying you have to do this. I could be way off with my advice. Also, I am not 100% sure about the comma I used.): The notion that heavily discounted, trendy items are likely to be defective is a common misconception.

RedBedroom wrote:

That sentence is volumes better than mine, FM. I am so mad at myself for not catching how awful my sentence was prior to submitting the piece. As for the comma, I would leave it out. I normally skip the comma if "and" would sound awkward between the two descriptive words.

A common misconception is vast savings on trendy items means there is something wrong with the construction of the clothing.

RedBedroom wrote:Don't sweat it. Most of us are not good at reviewing our own work. We're too close to it.

FM, that is probably true for those seeking to pen the next great American novel. My writing is for marketing purposes, so I like to think I can edit it well, but I totally dropped the ball on this one.