Comments for Writing Problems Explained

Comment on Cooks Source Magazine and the Most Unforgiveable of Writing Problems by Sandra McKenzie

Sandra McKenzie — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:27:22 +0000

I’ve been a writer, both freelance and on staff, for more than 25 years now. Every single client I’ve ever worked for – magazines, newspapers, websites, educational software producers – has had an inviolable condition: you plagiarize, you’re fired. There’s no defence. And that’s exactly as it should be.

I live in fear of inadvertently plagiarizing anyone, not because it’s a firing offence, but because self-expression is my stock in trade. If I have to steal what I sell, then I had best look for another line of business.

Comment on Whether Or Not? by admin

admin — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 21:13:01 +0000

Alex: Thanks for your comment. You raise an issue for another post: use fewer syllables! I’d choose “if” over “whether” wherever it didn’t make the sentence stilted or awkward.

Comment on Today, Only Fix One of your Writing Problems by admin

admin — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 21:09:49 +0000

Alex: Thanks for chiming in. I see your point and now lean toward recommending the second rewrite and not the first. I also maintain: I feel much better knowing that while “there can be one American Idol” lets others exist, this seems a better situation than there only being one American Idol and nothing else!

Comment on Today, Only Fix One of your Writing Problems by Alex

Alex — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 09:19:03 +0000

Well actually… (as many comments start…)

“The statement, In the end there can be one American Idol is clear. Spoken emphasis on the word one achieves Seacrest’s intent.”

That is a logical OR statement. “There can be one” does not preclude any other option. There could also be two, twenty-seven, or the answer to life the universe and everything.

The first rewrite does not, even with emphasis, sufficiently convey the idea. The second one does.

The only other problem is, Seacrest didn’t deliver the line with the correct Sean Connery accent… and said American Idol instead of Highlander.

Comment on Whether Or Not? by Alex

Alex — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 09:08:13 +0000

(This comment will be filled with problems that I do not know about yet. Please, have patience.)

I would consider optionally dropping “whether” from “whether or not”. “If” works, and carries none of the catchphrase burden of “whether”.

Comment on Welcome to Writing Problems Explained by admin

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:28:54 +0000

Momisodes: I’m embarrassed that I took so long to thank you for your comment. I’m finding it challenging to explain grammatical errors without resorting to grammar-speak, but I’ll keep trying.

Marion: I’ve been self-conscious of this blog from the beginning; some writing problems are hard to explain. You’ve made me even more self-conscious. I’ll try to keep the standard high enough to deserve some kind of shower at least once a week.

Comment on Welcome to Writing Problems Explained by Marion

Marion — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:24:11 +0000

Oh, God bless you. Buddha should bless you; the Mets, the Jets, who(m)ever and whatever you worship, may the deity of dignified speech shower you with lotus petals for this, a haven of sane speech.

Comment on Welcome to Writing Problems Explained by Momisodes

Momisodes — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:19:00 +0000

What a wonderful site! I know this will be an incredible resource for me and so many others. Thank you for leaving your link.

Comment on Eliminate Verbosity from your Writing Problems by On the MOney

On the MOney — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:24:34 +0000

Editing down to the editor’s chosen word count is a good way of reducing verbosity, particularly as it usually means getting rid of pet phrases, unnecessary adjectives and passive verbs …

Comment on Nonsense Expressions by LoneWolf

LoneWolf — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:55:41 +0000

Excellent points about extra redundancy 8=)

I like this advice. It leads to tighter writing (and speaking) as well as quicker reading (and hearing).