Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen
... eliminate vague, 'blink' words like; things, this, that, those, them, something, it ...
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I agree that "things worry me" and "something worries me" require more explanation to make sense. I use the other words a lot. I don't use them as pronouns unless they refer to a noun. I don't use them as determiners unless there's something to
be determined.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen
... and think about the words we could use to replace 'those vague' words ...
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I think you mean either " 'those' vague words" or "those 'vague' words"; in either case, leave out the inverted commas, I suggest. I feel that the word 'those' means "the ones I just mentioned". What other word would do?
For example,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen
...I can do this without your help. Better stated, I can write my own summary for the XYZ report without your help. ...
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The next sentence could start "I'll finish it ..." (meaning the summary) or "I'll finish that ... " (meaning task, summary, or report). If it did start like that, would it confuse people?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen
...More appropriately we would say, "Did you see my Disprin?" Using clear, concise English goes hand in hand with e-prime.
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I agree. Therefore, I'd say "You may discover it where you left it" instead of "You may discover the Disprin where you left the Disprin."
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Very likely, I have misunderstood something in Karen's objection. I shall gladly accept correction.
Regards
Ann
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