Friday, December 20, 2002

Reviewing a formal paper for inconsistencies and possible errors in style and usage brought the entire library on the subject into play. A fine writer presents more problems of style than of grammar and any possible anomalies of grammar will be subtle ones. Books on these subjects always address the obvious and frequently committed outright errors or they present examples of faults that do not quite hit the mark. Moreover, so many bad writers and speakers these days invent so many outlandish constructions that most authorities have not ever thought to address them. Strunk's Elements of Style of 1918 is out of copyright and on line, along with my favorite edition of Brewer and the original Fannie Farmer, the one I knew as a kid. Now that I now, I can't wait to find time to look up some of the old recipes. Those wonderful folks at Bartleby.com!

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