Scissors? Heck! After looking at the list of commonly used redundant words, I think I need shears!
Prune your writing. Make it concise. Avoid being redundant and making the following mistakes.
made (out) of
may (possibly)
merge (together)
minestrone (soup)
nape (of her neck)
(natural) instinct
never (before)
(new) invention
(new) recruit
none (at all)
off (of)
open (up)
(outside) in the yard
palm (of the hand)
(past) history
pick (and choose)
PIN (number)
plan (ahead)
(positive) identification
postpone (until later)
protest (against)
refer (back)
(regular) routine
repeat (again)
(safe) haven
since (the time when)
small (size)
(sudden) impulse
surrounded (on all sides)
(temper) tantrum
(true) facts
tuna (fish)
(two equal) halves
undergraduate (student)
(unexpected) surprise
visible (to the eye)
weather (conditions)
whether (or not)
Thinking about this list should help you to think about each word as you revise. Avoid redundancy or Edward Scissorhands may be looking for you!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Get the Scissors!
Quick! Get the scissors! We all need to cut redundant words from our writing and speaking.
Redundancy is unnecessary repetition in expressing ideas. It's the use of too many words. Do you really need to say "a bouquet of flowers"? No. A bouquet by definition is a bunch of flowers. Do you need to write "circled around"? No. A ship can circle an iceberg.
Like many of us, do you use any of the following phrases? If so, you can eliminate redundancy and tighten up your writing by keeping these in mind.
(absolutely) essential
(advance) planning or (advance) warning
(added) bonus
(armed) gunman
bald (-headed)
best (ever)
blend (together)
cold (temperature)
(completely) destroyed
(current) trend
each (and every)
(end) result
enter (in)
evolve (over time)
exact (same)
(fellow) classmates
few (in number)
first (of all)
(free) gift
gather (together)
(general) public
green (in color)
heat (up)
hurry (up)
indicted (on a charge)
join (together)
kneel (down)
lag (behind)
later (time)
(little) baby
look (ahead) to the future
*Find Part II on tomorrow's blog
Redundancy is unnecessary repetition in expressing ideas. It's the use of too many words. Do you really need to say "a bouquet of flowers"? No. A bouquet by definition is a bunch of flowers. Do you need to write "circled around"? No. A ship can circle an iceberg.
Like many of us, do you use any of the following phrases? If so, you can eliminate redundancy and tighten up your writing by keeping these in mind.
(absolutely) essential
(advance) planning or (advance) warning
(added) bonus
(armed) gunman
bald (-headed)
best (ever)
blend (together)
cold (temperature)
(completely) destroyed
(current) trend
each (and every)
(end) result
enter (in)
evolve (over time)
exact (same)
(fellow) classmates
few (in number)
first (of all)
(free) gift
gather (together)
(general) public
green (in color)
heat (up)
hurry (up)
indicted (on a charge)
join (together)
kneel (down)
lag (behind)
later (time)
(little) baby
look (ahead) to the future
*Find Part II on tomorrow's blog
Thursday, July 19, 2012
What's in a Name?
Snickers, Charmin, DiGiorno, Cover Girl, Honda...like grains of sand, the list of brand names in our society is endless. Is there a rule for capitalizing brand names? You'd better believe it! Here's the rule:
Capitalize all important words in the brand names of business products.
*Note: Except in advertising displays, a common noun or adjective following a brand name is not capitalized.
Examples:
Oil of Olay
Crest toothpaste
Dial soap
Fruit of the Loom
Dodge pickup truck
Revlon lipstick
Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds
Fruit 'n Fiber
Calvin Klein
Speedo swimsuits
Speedo LZ Racer Elite
Capitalize all important words in the brand names of business products.
*Note: Except in advertising displays, a common noun or adjective following a brand name is not capitalized.
Examples:
Oil of Olay
Crest toothpaste
Dial soap
Fruit of the Loom
Dodge pickup truck
Revlon lipstick
Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds
Fruit 'n Fiber
Calvin Klein
Speedo swimsuits
Speedo LZ Racer Elite
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Is It Time for a Colonoscopy?
Most folks will agree that everyone should incorporate annual medical exams and wellness programs into their lives. Have you, however, checked on your colon grammar health lately, or is it time for a writer's checkup?
Here are the major rules for using a colon if you need a colonoscopy to refresh your skills.
1. Use a colon to mean "note what follows."
A. Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions like as follows and the following.
EXAMPLES
The application for employment at the manufacturing plant asked the following questions: How old are you? Have you ever worked in a manufacturing plant before? What other jobs have you held?
We assembled the following items for our garage sale: lamps, books, records, toys, sheets and towels, dishes, and patio chairs.
* When a list immediately follows a verb or preposition, do not use a colon.
EXAMPLES
The emergency kit included safety flares, jumper cables, and a flashlight.
Each student taking the math test was provided with two sharpened pencils, paper, a protractor, and a ruler.
B. Use a colon before a long, formal statement or quotation.
EXAMPLES
Patrick Henry concluded his revolutionary speech before the Virginia House of Burgesses with these ringing words: Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death! (Note a formal statement like this need not be enclosed in quotation marks.)
Here are the four main uses of the comma: (1) to prevent misreading, (2) to separate items in a series, (3) to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence, and (4) to set off introductory phrases and clauses.
* The first word of a formal statement following a colon is generally capitalized; however, in the case of informal statements, the first word often starts with a small letter.
C. Use a colon between independent clauses when the second clause explains or restates the idea of the first.
EXAMPLES
Lois felt that she had accomplished something worthwhile: she had designed and sewn her first garment.
Benjamin Franklin had many talents: he was an inventor, a writer, a politician, and a philosopher.
2. Use a colon in certain conventional situations.
A. Use a colon between the hour and the minute when you write the time.
EXAMPLE 5:20 P.M.
B. Use a colon between chapter and verse in referring to passages from the Bible.
EXAMPLE Proverbs 10:1
C. Use a colon between volume and the number or between volume and page number of a periodical.
EXAMPLE Science Digest 102:3
D. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.
EXAMPLES Dear Mrs. Rodriguez: Dear Sir:
I hope the colon checkup will provide you with much better health in your writing.
Here are the major rules for using a colon if you need a colonoscopy to refresh your skills.
1. Use a colon to mean "note what follows."
A. Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions like as follows and the following.
EXAMPLES
The application for employment at the manufacturing plant asked the following questions: How old are you? Have you ever worked in a manufacturing plant before? What other jobs have you held?
We assembled the following items for our garage sale: lamps, books, records, toys, sheets and towels, dishes, and patio chairs.
* When a list immediately follows a verb or preposition, do not use a colon.
EXAMPLES
The emergency kit included safety flares, jumper cables, and a flashlight.
Each student taking the math test was provided with two sharpened pencils, paper, a protractor, and a ruler.
B. Use a colon before a long, formal statement or quotation.
EXAMPLES
Patrick Henry concluded his revolutionary speech before the Virginia House of Burgesses with these ringing words: Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death! (Note a formal statement like this need not be enclosed in quotation marks.)
Here are the four main uses of the comma: (1) to prevent misreading, (2) to separate items in a series, (3) to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence, and (4) to set off introductory phrases and clauses.
* The first word of a formal statement following a colon is generally capitalized; however, in the case of informal statements, the first word often starts with a small letter.
C. Use a colon between independent clauses when the second clause explains or restates the idea of the first.
EXAMPLES
Lois felt that she had accomplished something worthwhile: she had designed and sewn her first garment.
Benjamin Franklin had many talents: he was an inventor, a writer, a politician, and a philosopher.
2. Use a colon in certain conventional situations.
A. Use a colon between the hour and the minute when you write the time.
EXAMPLE 5:20 P.M.
B. Use a colon between chapter and verse in referring to passages from the Bible.
EXAMPLE Proverbs 10:1
C. Use a colon between volume and the number or between volume and page number of a periodical.
EXAMPLE Science Digest 102:3
D. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.
EXAMPLES Dear Mrs. Rodriguez: Dear Sir:
I hope the colon checkup will provide you with much better health in your writing.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Job Skill -- Need Good Grammar!
Sometimes it's hard for people, particularly young folks, to see the big picture or, to use another cliche, to see the light at the end of the tunnel -- people don't always understand why they might need to learn something. Grammar is everywhere, and good grammar skills are important in many ways we don't always envision.
Yep, this is an embarrassing Oops! (Thanks, Web English Teacher for the pic.)
Yep, this is an embarrassing Oops! (Thanks, Web English Teacher for the pic.)
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Holy Cow! Capitalization Words Referring to the Deity
Just a quick reminder to writers...
Capitalize words referring to the Deity.
Examples: God, Jehovah, the Father, the Son, the Messiah, the Almighty, the Lord
Pronouns referring to God (he, him, and, rarely, who, whom, etc.) are often capitalized.
Examples:
Faith in God rests on belief in His goodness.
For He cometh, He cometh to judge the earth.
* Do not capitalize god when referring to the gods of ancient mythology.
Example:
Homer writes about many of the Greek gods and goddesses in The Iliad and The Odyssey.
Happy writing, and let me leave you with food for thought: "We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master." ~ Ernest Hemingway
Capitalize words referring to the Deity.
Examples: God, Jehovah, the Father, the Son, the Messiah, the Almighty, the Lord
Pronouns referring to God (he, him, and, rarely, who, whom, etc.) are often capitalized.
Examples:
Faith in God rests on belief in His goodness.
For He cometh, He cometh to judge the earth.
* Do not capitalize god when referring to the gods of ancient mythology.
Example:
Homer writes about many of the Greek gods and goddesses in The Iliad and The Odyssey.
Happy writing, and let me leave you with food for thought: "We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master." ~ Ernest Hemingway
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