Language is a changing thing. The changes first happen in conversation and eventually they become accepted in written language as well. That’s what happened with that old rule Don’t finish a sentence with a preposition.
Power Hits prove that not everything you see in print, hear in a song, or watch on TV are correct.
In this case, two words the mass media can’t seem to get right are less and fewer. So let’s settle that matter once and for all. [Read more…]
My IT husband wanted to know what I knew about writing. We talked quite a while. I told him that writing is written conversation about organized thinking.
As he does often, IT man gave his response in quotable form.
I can think writing, but I don’t know how to write it.
I could have answered, “Write as you talk.” It’s well known advice, but talking isn’t at all like writing. Really. That is a myth and I’m myth busting it now. So what does it mean to write as you talk? [Read more…]
When we were first married, my husband I were walking through a city park. The lawn was filled with pigeons. He voiced the most unusual thought. “Why are pigeons always the same size?” he said. “What if they are all baby pigeons and a great mother pigeon lives up on the roof of one of those buildings?”
Shortly thereafter we passed a young man in scruffy clothes who told us that the world was ending. He asked us to change the way we were living. He offered us the reasons and joys of how living his way would make our lives wonderful and give us peace forever. I wondered whether he’d heard the conversation about the pigeons.
If the two messages had been written as text–one would be content; the other would be copy.
Do know see the difference? I don’t mean to hold you hostage. But ignore the difference at your own risk. [Read more…]
The two contenders — I and me — are ready to come out fighting. I’d better referee.
It’s a problem.
When do I put me into a sentence?
There is a solution.
It works like this.
1. I and me are pronouns.
2. They’re called first person pronouns because they name the person who is speaking or writing — I am speaking about me.
3. When the pronoun is the subject or the doer of the action, use I.
I like you.
Ann and I need links.
I want you to send money.
Test the sentence that uses “Ann and I” by taking out the other person.
I need links.
4. When the pronoun is the object or receiver of the action, use me.
You like me.
The project team applauded Cat and me.
You gave me the money I needed.
5. When the pronoun comes after a preposition, use the object form.
to me
for Cat and me
with Ann and me
Test the sentence that uses “Cat and me” by taking out the other person.
for me
with me
6. When the verb is a form of “to be,” such is, are, or was use the subject form on both sides.
It is I.
I am woe.
The winners are Cat and I.
The leads are Ann and I.
Where was I?
This is the one that makes everyone get all of the other ones wrong. If you know this is the exception, you’re fine.
7. The rules work the same for he and him; she and her; they and them.
I will now be leaving the ring. Match settled without a punch between I and me.
Any questions?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you think Liz can help you with your writing, check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.
I’ve been hearing a lot about a bad boy who’s been hanging around lately. Bad boys of writing are tapes in our head that tell us things that undercut our productivity. This particular bad boy is more of a nuisance than most because he thinks we should remember every detail about writing we learned in school.
The Every Kid Bad Boy says “What’s wrong with you? Every kid knows when to use a comma. Why don’t you?”
One of the ways I work with clients is to help them improve their writing. It might not be fair or accurate, but people judge our ability to reason by how we express ourselves in writing.
Thinking . . . writing . . . business . . . thinking . . . we can’t separate them.
Together they determine our place in society. Whether you blog, write for business, or only email, writing is critical to your future.
I’m introducing a new feature — An Editorial Makeover. It’s a Content Edit — a Before and After — where you can look over my shoulder. Every editor edits differently. You won’t agree with all of my choices. That could make for great conversation.
I’m starting with a paragraph from my own work Bad Boys of Business: Thatââ¬â¢s Not ââ¬ÅRealââ¬Â Work.
Turn the page to see the first Editorial Makeover. [Read more…]