Shallow -ing riders

"The company grew 20%, highlighting its commitment to innovation." The -ing tail bolts a fake interpretation onto a fact.

What it looks like

Why it reads as AI

The rider claims a meaning the source doesn't support. It sounds analytical but it's usually invented.

Examples and fixes

BeforeSales rose 20% in Q3, highlighting the team's dedication.
AfterSales rose 20% in Q3, mostly from two enterprise renewals.

How to fix it

  1. Cut everything after the comma.
  2. If there's a real cause or consequence, state it as its own sentence.

When it's fine

Participles that describe actual simultaneous action are normal: "She left, slamming the door."

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