Comments for The Writing Rag http://writing-rag.com How to write well Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:26:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Onesies and Twosies—getting plurals right by rogersgeorge http://writing-rag.com/183/onesies-and-twosies%e2%80%94getting-plurals-right/comment-page-1/#comment-1375 rogersgeorge Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:26:10 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=183#comment-1375 Y'know, I looked at that and it didn't seem right. Thanks! Y’know, I looked at that and it didn’t seem right. Thanks!

]]> Comment on Onesies and Twosies—getting plurals right by Melissa http://writing-rag.com/183/onesies-and-twosies%e2%80%94getting-plurals-right/comment-page-1/#comment-1374 Melissa Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:30:45 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=183#comment-1374 Isn't it "onesies," not "onsies"? Seems to me "onsies" is pronounced awn-zees. But the rest of this is terrific and makes me say YEAH! Isn’t it “onesies,” not “onsies”? Seems to me “onsies” is pronounced awn-zees. But the rest of this is terrific and makes me say YEAH!

]]> Comment on In the Bible or not? by drantin http://writing-rag.com/166/in-the-bible-or-not/comment-page-1/#comment-1370 drantin Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:42:07 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=166#comment-1370 "God helps those that help themselves" may be from Poor Richard's Almanack, but he derived it from good old Aesop, who wrote: "The gods help them that help themselves." (remembered from my school days, but verified <a href="http://www.fbcvilonia.com/sermons/lies/helps.htm" rel="nofollow">here.</a> “God helps those that help themselves” may be from Poor Richard’s Almanack, but he derived it from good old Aesop, who wrote: “The gods help them that help themselves.”

(remembered from my school days, but verified here.

]]> Comment on Fancy and plain quotes by drantin http://writing-rag.com/170/fancy-and-plain-quotes/comment-page-1/#comment-1369 drantin Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:36:33 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=170#comment-1369 This actually works for anything that Word automatically changes from what you type. Be it the fancy quotes, or changing the capitalization of an acronym, etc. This actually works for anything that Word automatically changes from what you type. Be it the fancy quotes, or changing the capitalization of an acronym, etc.

]]> Comment on Fancy and plain quotes by rogersgeorge http://writing-rag.com/170/fancy-and-plain-quotes/comment-page-1/#comment-1367 rogersgeorge Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:55:23 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=170#comment-1367 Thank you, Melissa. And no doubt you also know that if you type the two hyphens without the surrounding spaces, you get an M-dash. Thank you, Melissa.
And no doubt you also know that if you type the two hyphens without the surrounding spaces, you get an M-dash.

]]> Comment on Fancy and plain quotes by Melissa http://writing-rag.com/170/fancy-and-plain-quotes/comment-page-1/#comment-1366 Melissa Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:46:14 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=170#comment-1366 This is one that probably everybody knows, but whatever. Here's how to get an en-dash in MS Word: Type the word before the en-dash. Then type a space, two hyphens, and another space. Type the word after the en-dash. Type a space. Hocus pocus! The two hyphens magically turn into an en-dash! This is one that probably everybody knows, but whatever. Here’s how to get an en-dash in MS Word:

Type the word before the en-dash.
Then type a space, two hyphens, and another space.
Type the word after the en-dash.
Type a space.

Hocus pocus! The two hyphens magically turn into an en-dash!

]]> Comment on In which I rant on about hyphens by rogersgeorge http://writing-rag.com/157/in-which-i-rant-on-about-hyphens/comment-page-1/#comment-1356 rogersgeorge Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:53:09 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=157#comment-1356 I agree with you—Let's start a movement: capitalize the planet, everybody! The space-separated hyphen is indeed considered an acceptable option, so you certainly have my permission to use it. Purist (or curmudgeon) that I am, I like the other way. Maybe I look only at hi-res screens... I agree with you—Let’s start a movement: capitalize the planet, everybody!

The space-separated hyphen is indeed considered an acceptable option, so you certainly have my permission to use it. Purist (or curmudgeon) that I am, I like the other way. Maybe I look only at hi-res screens…

]]> Comment on In which I rant on about hyphens by Philip http://writing-rag.com/157/in-which-i-rant-on-about-hyphens/comment-page-1/#comment-1354 Philip Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:55:03 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=157#comment-1354 On your side note—I always thought Earth should be capitalized when referring to the planet, and <em>not</em> when referring to the material. It's a proper name, after all. On your main message - I've always used the space-separated-hyphen for the m-dash, especially online. Right or wrong, I find it way more readable than the m-dash as in my first paragraph. It's interesting to me how differently legible hardcopy print is, versus pixel-based displays. And referring forward to the -, –, — article... thanks for that, I had no idea there was an n-dash! On your side note—I always thought Earth should be capitalized when referring to the planet, and not when referring to the material. It’s a proper name, after all.

On your main message – I’ve always used the space-separated-hyphen for the m-dash, especially online. Right or wrong, I find it way more readable than the m-dash as in my first paragraph. It’s interesting to me how differently legible hardcopy print is, versus pixel-based displays.

And referring forward to the -, –, — article… thanks for that, I had no idea there was an n-dash!

]]> Comment on Just simply DON’T! by Chessie http://writing-rag.com/113/just-simply-dont/comment-page-1/#comment-1347 Chessie Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:52:38 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=113#comment-1347 Guilty as charged. I've found the word "just" in several of my latest writings. My shame is deep. I can't believe how lazy I've become in my compositions. I've been writing in the manner of my speech when I talk to my kids. I'm relieved to have found your website. Thank you. Guilty as charged. I’ve found the word “just” in several of my latest writings. My shame is deep. I can’t believe how lazy I’ve become in my compositions. I’ve been writing in the manner of my speech when I talk to my kids.

I’m relieved to have found your website.
Thank you.

]]> Comment on Just simply DON’T! by rogersgeorge http://writing-rag.com/113/just-simply-dont/comment-page-1/#comment-1342 rogersgeorge Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:33:17 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=113#comment-1342 I think the line 3 you're referring to is in the previous post—a misplaced question mark. Nice catch. About your usage, good question. 1. My recommendation is to avoid these words in formal writing, such as instructions. 2. In informal writing, such as correspondence and conversations, you can do whatever you want; the words, while superfluous, are not ungrammatical. 3. Even in informal English your conversation is tighter if you leave out the unnecessary words. I think the line 3 you’re referring to is in the previous post—a misplaced question mark. Nice catch.
About your usage, good question.
1. My recommendation is to avoid these words in formal writing, such as instructions.
2. In informal writing, such as correspondence and conversations, you can do whatever you want; the words, while superfluous, are not ungrammatical.
3. Even in informal English your conversation is tighter if you leave out the unnecessary words.

]]> Comment on Just simply DON’T! by Naomi http://writing-rag.com/113/just-simply-dont/comment-page-1/#comment-1341 Naomi Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:59:30 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=113#comment-1341 Minor typographical error line 3. I tend to use just or simply when wishing to emphasize contrast. For example: Instead of attempting the complicated receipt in the magazine I simply ordered take-out. Legit or not? Minor typographical error line 3.

I tend to use just or simply when wishing to emphasize contrast. For example: Instead of attempting the complicated receipt in the magazine I simply ordered take-out. Legit or not?

]]> Comment on Which one is That? by rogersgeorge http://writing-rag.com/103/which-one-is-that/comment-page-1/#comment-1334 rogersgeorge Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:01:52 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=103#comment-1334 I found an example. In something written for a general audience—by a doctor, no less! "...causes a blockage of the blood vessels which provide oxygen and nutrients to the bone." He means the vessels <b>that</b> provide nutrients. I found an example. In something written for a general audience—by a doctor, no less!
“…causes a blockage of the blood vessels which provide oxygen and nutrients to the bone.” He means the vessels that provide nutrients.

]]> Comment on Do you say “more farther”? by rogersgeorge http://writing-rag.com/86/do-you-say-more-farther/comment-page-1/#comment-1332 rogersgeorge Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:58:07 +0000 http://writing-rag.com/?p=86#comment-1332 Y'know, I wondered why children run screaming whenever they see me... Y’know, I wondered why children run screaming whenever they see me…

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