Anxious newbie here!

[UKWriter101]

I have been reading these forums extensively over the past few days. I started writing for CC last week and have had 3 articles accepted, 3 rejected (1 of those accepted after an edit) and 1 sold. In the last few hours I had two articles returned. Both editorial remarks pointed out some minor issues with punctuation and one typo. I promptly edited the articles accordingly and submitted them again. However, there was one issue which I really did not understand in the following sentence:

"These courses are expensive and getting a job without them is not going to be easy and, in some places, impossible."

The editor said that I should write 'in some places will be impossible' instead. I have done this and resubmitted the article. The thing is, I can't see what's supposed to be wrong with the original. The editor's example was perhaps clearer, but both are completely correct as far as I can see. I'd be most grateful for any comments on this.

Also, I've now had three rejections. I am confident in my writing skills and I am also confident that my writing is up to the standard required by CC. Still, this has made me very anxious, especially having read repeatedly about the three strikes ban-hammer. Nonetheless, I promptly checked all of the other articles I have in the review queue and made 2 corrections in one of the articles that has not yet been reviewed and then uploaded the edited version.

Maybe I am being over-enthusiastic, but I wrote 4 more articles today including one near 2000 words. Since I am new to the site, I cannot submit these until 4 more have been accepted. I will write more tomorrow regardless, since I have no other work at present. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[Celeste Stewart]

Hello,
If you remove the "in some places" part, the error is easier to see:

". . .getting a job without them is not going to be easy and impossible." (not going to be impossible?)

You need the "will be" part the editor suggested in order for the sentence to make sense:

. . .getting a job without them is not going to be easy and will be impossible (in some places)

Hope that helps.

[jadedragon]

Don't sweat the so called three strikes rule. You are getting accepts and a sale so you will be fine. The site needs good writers like you UKWriter. Great strategy to keep writing articles while waiting to get the newbie submission limit lifted. When you go back to submit them take another look with fresh eyes and any errors will be easier to spot.

[UKWriter101]

Many thanks for your replies. guess that's an error I will have to look out for, since I am quite used to writing in that style and MS Word's grammar check doesn't pick it out. Thanks again for the tips.

[KateL]

"These courses are expensive and getting a job without them is not going to be easy and, in some places, impossible."

The original sentence is awkward and actually doesn't scan very well. At the very least I would have suggested a change to: "These courses are expensive and getting a job without them is not going to be easy and is, in some places, impossible."

Well done on your first sale - especially so soon after joining.