Tip #45: Just go from one to another

I’ve harped on the difference between written English and spoken English so often for good reason.  A failure to understand the difference or even to make the distinction keeps many professionals from become great writers.

The example sentence in the graphic above contains a good example.  Including the preposition up may be common and accepted in spoken English, but that usage labels the writer as an amateur in written English.

Adding up makes the sentence structurally inconsistent.  The idiom in question is from-to, a pairing of two prepositions, each with each own object.  Interjecting to provides one prepositional phrase with one preposition and one object (from) and a second prepositional phrase with two prepositions sharing the same object (up to).

The best structure when using idioms is a parallel one.  That’s why in this instance using up in written English is not appropriate.  Thus, the example sentence should be rewritten.

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Since installing the new equipment, nonconformances have increased from an average of 2% per run to an average of 23% per run.

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Note that in less than a month was removed, as the audience for this sentence very likely knows that the new  equipment was installed less than a month ago.

Never go from one up to another.  Just go from one to another.  Your writing will be that much more consistent with proper usage, and that will bolster the professional image you want your professional writing to convey.