Category Archives: sentence structure
Winner Grammar Contest #2
Danielo, a self-described pathological contrarian, cycling snob, aspiring entertainer, anarchist, classical cynic, and jackass, is the winner of Grammar Contest #2. Congratulations, Danielo! The challenge was to find the problem with the following sentence: A beautiful high-pressure day of frosty … Continue reading
Grammar Contest #2
It’s already Wednesday, time for Grammar Contest #2. What’s wrong with the following sentence? A beautiful high-pressure day of frosty crystalline air, blue skies, and brilliant sunshine. As before, if you are the first person to send the correct answer, … Continue reading
Syntax Reflects Thinking
Sometimes a writer puts her thoughts in writing before they are entirely clear. When this happens, awkward syntax may be the result, as in the sentence below: If I didn’t follow this mysterious force, I felt as though I would … Continue reading
Syntax Mysteries
Syntax-challenged sentences are likely to irritate readers, either because they raise questions or make for bumpy reading. Following are three examples. That’s the kind of parallel that now needs to be discussed between Vietnam and Iraq. A slight change in … Continue reading
Syntax Contest Winner
The winner of the February 26 Syntax Contest is Georg Muntingh. The syntax-troubled sentence that George corrected reads like this: Gennifer Flowers claimed that she had a 12-year relationship with Bill Clinton in 1992. Following is Georg’s correct assessment of … Continue reading
Syntax Contest
This is a contest, and there is a prize. What is the syntax error in the following sentence? Gennifer Flowers claimed that she had a 12-year relationship with Bill Clinton in 1992. If you know the answer, and you’re the … Continue reading
syntax, syntax, syntax
The three sentences below illustrate why careful use of syntax (word order) matters. This first example states that a fawn licked the author’s face all summer long: I had been observing the fawn who had licked my face throughout the … Continue reading
Too Much Work for One Sentence
The other evening, I came across this sentence and got stuck on the questions it raised for me. It’s a good example of how asking a sentence to do too much work can interrupt the reader’s flow: A middle-aged man … Continue reading
Credibility
When a sentence isn’t grammatically correct, readers may stumble over the words before understanding the meaning. They may also question the writer’s expertise. Here’s a common example of incorrect grammar: We appreciate you being here. Grammatically accurate alternatives follow: We … Continue reading
Finding the Right Words
If you have something to sell, it’s crucial to focus on finding the right words. Otherwise, the only thing that will be clear is that your thinking isn’t clear. The example below is part of a radio commercial: Isn’t a … Continue reading
Writing Tips 