7 Tips for Writing an Effective Article on Small and Medium Enterprises Definition
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are businesses that have a certain number of employees, revenue, or assets below a specific threshold. The definition of SMEs varies from country to country and sometimes from industry to industry. However, SMEs play an important role in the economy, as they create jobs, foster innovation, and contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP).
If you are writing an article on SMEs definition, you need to follow some basic rules of grammar to make your content clear, accurate, and engaging. Here are seven non-advanced grammar tips that can help you write an effective article on SMEs definition.
1. Use the active voice
The active voice is when the subject of the sentence performs the action, while the passive voice is when the subject is acted upon by the verb. For example:
Active: SMEs create jobs and foster innovation.
Passive: Jobs are created and innovation is fostered by SMEs.
The active voice is preferred because it is more direct, concise, and lively. The passive voice can be vague, wordy, and dull. It can also obscure the agent or the doer of the action, which can weaken your credibility as a writer.
2. Use parallel structure
Parallel structure is when you use the same grammatical form for items in a list or series. For example:
Parallel: SMEs are important for economic and social reasons, given their role in employment, innovation, and GDP.
Not parallel: SMEs are important for economic and social reasons, given their role in employment, they foster innovation, and contributing to GDP.
Parallel structure helps your writing flow smoothly and logically. It also shows that you have organized your thoughts and ideas coherently.
3. Use commas correctly
Commas are punctuation marks that separate words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. They can help clarify the meaning of your sentence and avoid confusion or ambiguity. For example:
With comma: SMEs in the United States, which generate half of all U.S. jobs, have different criteria than SMEs in the European Union.
Without comma: SMEs in the United States which generate half of all U.S. jobs have different criteria than SMEs in the European Union.
The comma after “United States” indicates that the phrase “which generate half of all U.S. jobs” is a nonrestrictive clause, meaning that it provides additional information but is not essential to identify the subject. Without the comma, the phrase becomes a restrictive clause, meaning that it is essential to identify the subject. This changes the meaning of the sentence from a general statement about U.S. SMEs to a specific statement about only those U.S. SMEs that generate half of all U.S. jobs.
Some common rules for using commas are:
– Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) that joins two independent clauses (complete sentences).
– Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause that comes before the main clause.
– Use a comma to separate items in a series of three or more.
– Use a comma to set off nonrestrictive clauses or phrases that provide extra information but are not essential to identify the subject.
– Use a comma to separate contrasting or parenthetical elements in a sentence.
– Do not use a comma to separate two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction (this creates a run-on sentence).
– Do not use a comma to separate a subject from its verb or a verb from its object (this creates a comma splice).
– Do not use a comma to separate restrictive clauses or phrases that are essential to identify the subject.
4. Use apostrophes correctly
Apostrophes are punctuation marks that show possession or contraction. They can help indicate who owns something or who is doing something. For example:
Possession: The World Bank’s definition of SMEs varies from country to country.
Contraction: It’s important to understand the role of SMEs in different economies.
Some common rules for using apostrophes are:
– Use an apostrophe and an s (‘s) to show singular possession (one owner).
– Use an apostrophe after an s (s’) to show plural possession (more than one owner).
– Do not use an apostrophe to form plurals of nouns (this creates confusion with possessives).
– Do not use an apostrophe to form plurals of acronyms or numbers (use s instead).
– Use an apostrophe and an s (‘s) to form contractions of pronouns and verbs (it’s = it is; they’re = they are; etc.)
– Do not use an apostrophe to form contractions of nouns and verbs (SME’s = SME is; etc.)
5. Use modifiers correctly
Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that modify or describe other words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. They can help add detail, clarity, or emphasis to your writing. For example:
Modifier: SMEs in developing countries tend to have a larger share of the market than SMEs in developed countries.
Modified: SMEs tend to have a larger share of the market.
The modifier “in developing countries” specifies which SMEs have a larger share of the market, while the modifier “than SMEs in developed countries” compares them to another group of SMEs.
Some common rules for using modifiers are:
– Place modifiers as close as possible to the words they modify to avoid confusion or ambiguity.
– Use commas to set off modifiers that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence (nonrestrictive modifiers).
– Do not use commas to set off modifiers that are essential to the meaning of the sentence (restrictive modifiers).
– Do not use dangling modifiers, which are modifiers that do not have a clear or logical connection to the words they modify.
– Do not use misplaced modifiers, which are modifiers that are placed too far from the words they modify or that modify the wrong words.
6. Use transitions correctly
Transitions are words, phrases, or sentences that connect ideas, paragraphs, or sections in a text. They can help create coherence, flow, and logic in your writing. For example:
Transition: However, not all SMEs have the same opportunities or challenges in different regions or sectors.
Connected idea: Some SMEs face more barriers than others due to factors such as access to finance, infrastructure, technology, regulation, or competition.
The transition “however” signals a contrast or an exception to the previous idea, while the transition “due to” introduces a cause or a reason for the following idea.
Some common types and examples of transitions are:
– Addition: and, also, moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides, etc.
– Contrast: but, however, yet, nevertheless, on the other hand, on the contrary, etc.
– Comparison: similarly, likewise, in the same way, in comparison, etc.
– Cause and effect: because, since, as a result, therefore, consequently, thus, etc.
– Example: for example, for instance, such as, namely, etc.
– Time: before, after, meanwhile, then, next, finally, etc.
– Place: here, there, nearby, above, below, etc.
7. Use headings correctly
Headings are titles or subtitles that indicate the main topic or subtopic of a section or paragraph in a text. They can help organize your writing and guide your readers through your content. For example:
Heading: Definition of SMEs
Subheading: Criteria and Classification of SMEs
The heading “Definition of SMEs” introduces the main topic of the section, while the subheading “Criteria and Classification of SMEs” introduces a subtopic within the section.
Some common rules for using headings are:
– Use headings to divide your text into logical sections or subsections that relate to your main topic or thesis statement.
– Use consistent formatting and style for headings and subheadings (such as font size, font type, capitalization, alignment, etc.)
– Use descriptive and specific headings and subheadings that capture the main idea or point of each section or subsection.
– Use parallel structure for headings and subheadings that belong to the same level or category.
– Use appropriate levels of headings and subheadings depending on the length and complexity of your text (such as level 1 for main sections and level 2 for subsections).
– Do not use too many levels of headings and subheadings that may confuse or overwhelm your readers.
Writing an effective article on SMEs definition requires following some basic rules of grammar that can help you communicate your message clearly and accurately. By using these seven non-advanced grammar tips, you can improve your writing skills and create content that is informative and engaging for your audience.
What is a Small and Medium Enterprise?
A small and medium enterprise (SME) is a business that has a certain number of employees, revenue, or assets below a specified threshold. The definition of an SME varies from country to country, depending on the size and structure of the economy. SMEs play an important role in creating jobs, fostering innovation, and contributing to economic growth.
How is the Global Demand for SMEs Changing?
The global demand for SMEs is changing due to various factors, such as technological advancements, market opportunities, consumer preferences, environmental challenges, and policy interventions. Some of these factors may increase the demand for SMEs, while others may decrease it. Here are some examples:
– Technological advancements: Technology can enable SMEs to access new markets, improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance quality. For instance, digital platforms, e-commerce, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence can help SMEs reach more customers, optimize operations, and innovate faster. Technology can also create new challenges for SMEs, such as cybersecurity risks, skills gaps, and regulatory compliance.
– Market opportunities: Market opportunities can arise from changes in consumer demand, industry trends, or global trade. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for online services, health products, and social impact businesses. SMEs can leverage these opportunities by adapting their products, services, or business models to meet the changing needs of customers. Market opportunities can also create new competition for SMEs from other firms or regions.
– Consumer preferences: Consumer preferences can influence the demand for SMEs by affecting their purchasing decisions, loyalty, and satisfaction. For example, consumers may prefer to buy from SMEs that offer personalized service, local products, or social responsibility. SMEs can attract and retain customers by understanding their preferences and delivering value propositions that match them. Consumer preferences can also change over time or vary across segments or regions.
– Environmental challenges: Environmental challenges can affect the demand for SMEs by creating new risks or opportunities for their operations, products, or services. For example, climate change, resource scarcity, pollution, and biodiversity loss can pose threats to the sustainability and resilience of SMEs. SMEs can mitigate these risks by adopting green practices, reducing emissions, and improving efficiency. Environmental challenges can also create new opportunities for SMEs that offer solutions to environmental problems or cater to green consumers.
– Policy interventions: Policy interventions can influence the demand for SMEs by providing support or imposing regulations on their activities. For example, governments may offer incentives, subsidies, loans, or grants to SMEs to stimulate their growth, innovation, or competitiveness. Governments may also impose taxes, tariffs, standards, or rules on SMEs to protect public interests, such as health, safety, or environment. Policy interventions can benefit or harm SMEs depending on their design and implementation.
References:
https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-07-2021-0279
https://doi.org/10.1787%2Ffin_sme_ent-2016-11-en
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_and_medium-sized_enterprises
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/smallandmidsizeenterprises.asp
https://www.oecd.org/cfe/smes/ministerial/documents/2018-SME-Ministerial-Conference-Plenary-Session-2.pdf
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-smes-can-use-technology-to-drive-growth-and-minimize-risks/
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/smefinance/brief/covid-19-smes
https://www.unido.org/stories/covid-19-and-msmes
https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/marketing-and-sales/our-insights/how-customer-demands-are-reshaping-last-mile-delivery
https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/PDF-112/Accenture-Pulse-Survey.pdf
