Comments on: Why total freedom of expression is a reader’s worst nightmare

By: Dave Farquhar

Dave Farquhar — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 02:41:58 +0000

In reply to jim`.

I’m occasionally guilty of turning nouns into adjectives or adverbs, but usually for a reason, and for effect. I agree too many people do it too frequently now. It’s tempting. To say, “IBM Edseled the PCjr” makes a strong point in merely four words.

Zeuxis? He wasn’t a writer. He was a Greek painter during the time of Aristotle. I forgot where I first saw the quote, but it’s one of my all-time favorites.

By: jim`

jim` — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 05:11:56 +0000

If you want my opinion… I’d say you made a great point by emphasizing how the author’s opinions are secondary to his job, which is reporting the facts. Bias and opinion will creep in, but should be avoided. No better example than the message boards at IMDB. I don’t want to hear whether you loved or hated a film, I want to hear WHY, even if I don’t agree with your opinion. When one does that well, by means of gud ritten English, I’ll pay attention whether or not I even agree with you!

“Eschew obfuscation” That was a tip from an English teacher I’ll never forget. If you can’t say something which even a seven year-old kid can understand, you probably don’t have the thought clear in your own head.

Please don’t turn perfectly good nouns into adjectives or adverbs because you can’t think of the appropriate modifier. Go buy a printed thesaurus and make friends with synonyms. “Impactful” is the most egregious, blatant and obvious example of this odious, pervasive and malignant trend.

Who the heck is Zeuxis? Love his quote.

By: Steve Aubrey

Steve Aubrey — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:40:46 +0000

All I can say in response is quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur. And that's not just your Grammar talking.