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Q&A Always sounding idiomatic as a non-native English speaker

Beta readers. Find beta readers who are native speakers of English and give them red pens and completed manuscripts (which you've already run though Google and done the best edit you can on them) ...

posted 5y ago by Cyn‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-20T00:40:39Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/42737
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T11:03:29Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/42737
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T11:03:29Z (almost 5 years ago)
Beta readers.

Find beta readers who are native speakers of English and give them red pens and completed manuscripts (which you've already run though Google and done the best edit you can on them) or the online equivalent.

When you've completed the next several rounds of editing, hire an excellent proofreader who is a native speaker.

The only other answer is "spend years getting more fluent in English." While there's truth to that, it's not reasonable. And if you didn't grow up speaking English every day, there are subtle things you will miss. So getting outside help is the way to go.

Frankly, even native speakers need good proofreaders. Even native speakers who are professional editors. You shouldn't be the only editor of your own work.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-02-28T06:27:54Z (over 5 years ago)
Original score: 8