mr. robinson
Virgin
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2005
- Posts
- 25
When we don the mantle of writers we must accept responsibility as guardians of the language. Our readers expect us to use language properly and learn how to write by reading what we write. Moreover, those who know how to write can be jarred from our narrative if we are clumsy. This thread is dedicated to promoting good writing by protecting our most valuable tools: words.
Each has a specific meaning or meanings. When we misuse them they are corrupted and can be lost forever. Sure, language evolves over time, words gain new meanings and some lose their usefulness. But that should not happen because we are sloppy or careless about how we use our tools. You would not try to pound a nail with a screwdriver so you should choose your words with as much care so you may write with precision.
For instance, supermarkets have destroyed the difference between less and fewer, words that share a general meaning. But specifically, fewer is used when you can count the items and less when you cannot: There are fewer pickles in the jar than there were last night. There is less sand in that pile. (Notable exception to that might be Dustin Hoffman’s character in “Rain Main” who might actually say there are fewer gains of sand in that pile.”
So here is a place to talk about words you treasure and words that are misused to your annoyance. We all have blind spots, we all make mistakes, so in the spirit of colleagues helping each other grow, I will begin. Please add your pet peeves or recent discoveries.
A recent thread begins "I'm presently doing groundwork…”
Aaargh!
Presently may already be a lost cause. It is so widely misused that some dictionaries now list its secondary meaning as “at present.”
Presently once meant “shortly” or “soon” as in “I will return presently.” But it has been bastardized to mean “currently,” a perfectly good word. Why do we need two words meaning “at present” and one less that means “soon?”
Frankly, tight writing would dictate that you use a simpler word, like “now.”
Better still: "I am doing groundwork…”
Am is now. Write with economy and communicate more clearly.
Now I will climb down off my soapbox, and hope someone will climb up on it to defend the language … and lambaste me as well when I deserve it.
Each has a specific meaning or meanings. When we misuse them they are corrupted and can be lost forever. Sure, language evolves over time, words gain new meanings and some lose their usefulness. But that should not happen because we are sloppy or careless about how we use our tools. You would not try to pound a nail with a screwdriver so you should choose your words with as much care so you may write with precision.
For instance, supermarkets have destroyed the difference between less and fewer, words that share a general meaning. But specifically, fewer is used when you can count the items and less when you cannot: There are fewer pickles in the jar than there were last night. There is less sand in that pile. (Notable exception to that might be Dustin Hoffman’s character in “Rain Main” who might actually say there are fewer gains of sand in that pile.”
So here is a place to talk about words you treasure and words that are misused to your annoyance. We all have blind spots, we all make mistakes, so in the spirit of colleagues helping each other grow, I will begin. Please add your pet peeves or recent discoveries.
A recent thread begins "I'm presently doing groundwork…”
Aaargh!
Presently may already be a lost cause. It is so widely misused that some dictionaries now list its secondary meaning as “at present.”
Presently once meant “shortly” or “soon” as in “I will return presently.” But it has been bastardized to mean “currently,” a perfectly good word. Why do we need two words meaning “at present” and one less that means “soon?”
Frankly, tight writing would dictate that you use a simpler word, like “now.”
Better still: "I am doing groundwork…”
Am is now. Write with economy and communicate more clearly.
Now I will climb down off my soapbox, and hope someone will climb up on it to defend the language … and lambaste me as well when I deserve it.
Kant
