Breaking the Rules

My proofreader and I have a running dialogue that we enjoy. It goes something like this:

Proofreader: “You started this sentence with and.”
Me: “I know.”
Proofreader: “You’re not supposed to start sentences with and.”
Me: “I know."
Proofreader: “But you’re going to do it anyway, aren’t you?”
Me: “Yup.”

OK, it’s possible that I enjoy it more than she does. My proofreader used to be a high school English teacher, so she gets the willies every time I bend or break the rules of grammar and style. And I do it quite a bit. (See there? I did it again.)

But, (You’re not supposed to start a sentence with but, either. But sometimes I do.) I know the rules, so that makes it OK for me to bend them. I know I’m not supposed to start my sentences with conjunctions, or end them in prepositions, but if I think it will improve the flow of my writing, I just might do it. That doesn’t mean I’m relieved of the responsibilities of following the basic rules of the English language -- I still need to spell my words correctly and capitalize proper nouns -- but if I choose to sacrifice some of the rules of style or grammar in certain situations, I give myself permission to do so.

(That also doesn't mean that I don't make mistakes. After many years of studying and writing, I still make errors and get stumped from time to time. Hard to believe, I know, but it happens.)

Our language is a dynamic beast. Its rules are constantly being revised and modified to adapt to modern usage; even many of the more “conventional” rules of English have become open to interpretation. We have all fallen victim to really bad writing that is grammatically correct and had the pleasure of reading really good writing that is technically incorrect. The bottom line is, which would you rather read?

In my presentations, I teach people to, “Write the way you speak.” This is known as “conversational” style and it is more acceptable today than it was even ten or fifteen years ago. However, we do need to consider what we are writing. If you are composing a term paper or a grant proposal, it’s usually best to avoid the casual vernacular and keep your writing a little more conservative. However, if you are writing – say, a blog – your readers will probably thank you for your casual tone.

Please remember, however, there is a big difference between bending the rules to make your writing more appealing to the reader and breaking the rules because you’re lazy or you don’t know any better. Because you can be sure that if you don't know the difference, your reader will.

So feel free to begin your sentences with and or but. But don’t forget to start them with a capital. And end them with a period.

~~~~~~~~~~

Here is this week’s lesson:

(No, you may not break this rule.)

A reader wrote in and brought up one of the most common grammatical confusions:

“When do I use that and when do I use which?”

This one trips up most of us sooner or later, so here’s the rule:
If a clause (a group of words with its own subject and verb) is essential to the point of the sentence, use that.

I ate the cookie that looked the least fattening.

If you can drop the clause and not lose the meaning of the sentence, use which.

The cookie, which looked innocent enough, was fattening.

Here’s another easy way to remember. Which begins non-essential clauses and goes inside commas.

The cookie, which I’m not supposed to eat because I’m on a diet, is chocolate.

Clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence have no commas and use that.

The diet that I’m on prohibits eating chocolate cookies.

Got it? Great!

Thanks for all of your comments and e-mails -- keep them coming!

Write on!

Elizabeth

Welcome to my blog!

Remember the old adage about the cobbler whose kids had no shoes? Well, consider me the modern version: the writer who had no blog --that is -- until now!

Thanks for stopping by! I know there are many bloggers out there who want your time and attention, but I want this blog to be your favorite, so I'm going to keep things simple.

In my posts, you will find only the most interesting things that I learn in my life as a small business owner and my work as a writer and editor. That's it. Just happy little tidbits that will make you smile, useful tips to make you smarter, and maybe the answer to a dilemma or two that has been keeping you up at night.

But here's the catch: I need your help!

Each post, I will address one style/grammar/punctuation/writing etiquette question from a reader. You see, it is my personal goal to rid the world of bad writing. OK, maybe not the world, but my little corner of it. And I'm not talking about the typos and missteps that we all make, but the sloppy and lazy writing of smart people who should know better. It has gotten out of control and it needs to stop. Because the way we write speaks volumes about us.

So send me your grammar goofs, your punctuation predicaments, your style snafus and let me help you figure them out. You know, things like, "What's the semicolon for?" Or, "Do I use who's or whose? Lay or lie? Advice or advise? Who or whom?" I love this stuff, so post your questions in the comment field! You don't even have to reveal your true identity.

To start things off, I'll answer a question that many people have asked me about the "less/fewer" conundrum. (You're gonna love this!)

We would never say, "How much cookies do you want?" Or, "You poured too many milk!"

So, why do so many people confuse less and fewer? Here's an easy way to remember which one to use:

Fewer refers to number and less refers to quantity. In other words, if you can count it (men, cookies, incorrect sentences) use fewer. If you can't (milk, oxygen, beach sand) use less. (Unless you're counting grains of beach sand, then use fewer. And get a life.)

So the next time you see that sign at the grocery store that calls for, "Ten items or less!" Smile! You're smarter than a sign painter!

See how much fun that is? So send me your questions and stay tuned.

Write on,

Elizabeth