primus

A Primer for Writing and Speaking in e-prime

Simply put, e-prime proper allows you to the use of the entire vocabulary of the English language with the following exceptions: be, is, am, are, was, were, been, being (as a verb), and the "to be" verb contractions of m's, 's and 're. To begin, you need only focus on the (simple) task of not using any of these words.

You may use general substitutes for forms of "to be" - seem(s), feel(s), act(s), look(s), etc. However, try not to overdo these terms.

Suggestion 1: If you find it difficult to compose a sentence in e-prime, refer to the basic "silent level" (how do I feel about it) experience and describe the actual event.

Examples:

The World of Null-A is a great book!
I really enjoyed reading the book The World of Null-A!

I am fine.
I feel fine.

This food is good.
This food tastes good.

Suggestion #2: Take an "is" statement at a high level of abstraction/assumption and bring it down to earth. Remove the assumptions and work with what you have left.

Examples:

Joan is wealthy.
Joan makes $500,000 a year.

Cleve is smart.
Cleve scored 160 on an I.Q. test.

Linda is helpful.
Linda helped me.

Suggestion #3: Replace the "is" with an action verb.

Examples:

David is a doctor.
David practices medicine.

Risa is a teacher.
Risa teaches epistemics.

He is a car mechanic.
He repairs cars.

Suggestion #4: Say what you mean.

Examples:

is Leia there?
Can I speak with Leia?

What is your name?
What do you call yourself?

How are you?
How do you feel?

Suggestion #5: Change the sentence from the passive to the active voice.

Examples:

It was done.
Olof did it.

The experiment was conducted...
Mike conducted the experiment...

Jack was blessed.
The Pope blessed Jack.

When first learning to speak in e-prime, you may have to mentally rehearse each sentence before you say it. For a while people might find your conversation a trifle limited, but they probably will not notice. Most people seem to like to hear themselves talk most of all, and they will appreciate your reticence!

I have also found it valuable to practice translating the statements of others into e-prime during conversations, and then echoing the e-prime statement back to the original speaker.

Comments & suggestions welcome!

---

Adapted from "SPEAKING IN E-PRIME: An Experimental Method for Integrating General Semantics into Daily Life", by E.W. Kellogg III, from Et cetera 44, no. 2 (1987)

Square

Hmm, something I have just noticed: you should change "Joan is smart" to "Joan is wealthy", as I hardly see how "being smart" helps making $500,000 a year.

(example #1 under suggestion #2)

primus

Thank you.

Michael

Sounds very good. I hate the passive voice. Microsoft Word always picks it up, and I never allow any spell check possibility in my work.

DadaKampol

This going at the "silent level" intrigues me. I'd have to look it up. It would benefit me to put into practice ways of noticing and building awareness.

crystalserenity101

How can you say "you are right" and "this can be true" in e-prime without making the other feel you think they lied when they spoke?

Marcio_Osorio

You are right = You have quickly/accurately predicted the outcome of this event/the solution of this equation.

This can be true = We regard this as likely to happen/occur.

Just a foreign guy's guess.

Chinmay

Today is Thusrsday=?

Karen

On this day, Thursday, I have completed all my proposals.

Chinmay

OK.If somebody asks me "What day is it today?"
I cannot reply "On this day, Thursday, I have completed all my proposals.", since it would sound a bit strange.Any alternative translations.e-prime seems to complicate things in this issue

Karen

I would just answer in a word, the day of the week. What day is it today? Thursday.

Chinmay

Yes, I thought I read that somewhere, thank you

__________________
☆¢нιηмαу☆`·.¸. The Rising ☆ of XI A5

Sei

Very interesting. Though, I feel adjusting to this new way of writing will take me some time.

beginner

E-prime proper seems interesting. Beginner like me will surely enjoy to learn this stuff. Give me a hand guys so I will learn the right way.

-first try

changed1

E-Prime will change the way the language gets spoken and written. Just practicing, and making things work. How's that?

Marcio_Osorio

Yes, how does one do that? (How do we do that?)

That means relinquishing one's old way and habit of stating things using any form of the verb to be. The whole process may take some getting used to but you'll eventually overcome any difficulty. See me trying to make it sound "E-Prime." I try harder. Because I do not speak nor write English as a first language. Still I'll never give E-P up. I simply like it.

life

Wow its very useful. New learning added to my mind. Thanks here!

Marcio_Osorio

No problem.

Can you give rephrasing your "It's very useful" in E-Prime more than a single try? Exactly what do you think useful, what at first do you think E-Prime can do for you? Supposedly, what wonders can an ESL learner (like you) bring about with E-Prime?

The answer to the last question: MANY! You must believe it in order to make it work for you. I have changed my view of English ever since I started rearranging thoughts in E-P. Even at 55, I feel I have learned more English this way.

See you later.

life

Useful in the sense that as a beginner in this forum and in E-prime learning , this kind of thread initiate us (beginner) to do basics to improve our learning step by step. This also gives us some techniques for effective e-prime and to avoid mistakes. Well, I think e-prime would make my English communication much more clearer and understandable.

Ann.English@clear.net.nz

Somebody said "It's useful".
Somebody else said "Please re-phrase 'it's' ".
I'll try.

"It will produce useful results like ..."
"I can use it to do these things: ..."
"People will agree that with little effort it makes good things happen such as..."
"It deserves the 'USEFUL' label (in my opinion) because ..."
"I find it useful in these ways: ..."

"It" stands for the idea of avoiding the use of TO be which can be described as predicting, labelling, or identifying something as equivalent to something else. Examples (all bad, I say): XYZ will be a failure as a government. CDE is the thin edge of the wedge. PQR is a disaster for the country.

Examples (better, I hope): Its opponents expect the XYZ government to fail. CDE, if it becomes common, may make other things possible. Many people think that PQR will have very bad effects on the country.

---------- Post added at 03:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:00 PM ----------

Bother! Done it again. For "can be described" read "I would describe"

Karen

Ok, I have read though these posts and everyone has given some valuable thoughts on how to use e-prime. I would like to add more value to what we write. If we eliminate vague, 'blink' words like; things, this, that, those, them, something, it and think about the words we could use to replace 'those vague' words, we would become clearer communicators.

I.e. I can do this without your help. Better stated, I can write my own summary for the XYZ report without your help.

Even when we use 'blanket words' (words that come under headings, i.e. Did you see my medicine? Medicine acts as a blanket word because we don't really know what medicine that person requested. More appropriately we would say, "Did you see my Disprin? Using clear, concise English goes hand in hand with e-prime.

I look forward to more improvements from the e-prime readers.

Ann.English@clear.net.nz

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.


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, 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?

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."

***

Very likely, I have misunderstood something in Karen's objection. I shall gladly accept correction.

Regards
Ann
Ann English's Storefront - Lulu.com

Timo

Karen, while I agree with you that adding more information can improve your communication, I also feel that the example you gave actually shows that too much specificity may have the opposite effect. If we assume you only use one kind of medicine, and I don't know what name it goes by but I do know what it looks like, then not only does it not help if you ask for the medicine by name, but it may actually confuse me if I don't know what the name stands for. ("You search for WHAT? Oh, your medicine. Why didn't you just say so.")

In other words, I believe that clarity does not result from specificity, but rather from a careful balance of including necessary information and leaving out information that may cloud your message.

Ann.English@clear.net.nz

Bother! Done it again. Please read "I don't use them as determiners unless something needs determining."

Marcio_Osorio

Ann, you may think of rephrasing your "You're looking for WHAT?" See above. Should a "You look for WHAT?" go there instead? Please see that as a suggestion.

In my native language (Brazilian Portuguese) all my writings now come in BP-P*.

* - Brazilian Portuguese-Prime. I wish I knew more English so I could write extensivedly in E-P.

Timo

Marcio, that mistake actually appeared in my post. And oops. Thank you, I just fixed it.

Karen

What great reading material. I really enjoyed reading what you all have written. Great to see you back on e-prime Marcio, I have missed your valuable inputs.

Timo, I stand corrected, if you believe I would confuse somemore by calling the medicine by its proper name, then possibly you have a point, especially if they only take one pill. However, I have observed that most people who take medication usually take more than one type of pill.

Ann, I don't know if I objected to anything, but I sure enjoyed reading all of your posts. Continue to contribute as we can all learn from one another.

Marcio_Osorio

Timo and Karen, thank you both.

modelss21

mistilizbetrmhfltgormhzehp3hdozms3rqk

stuv698

polo shirts ralph lauren polo shirts ralph lauren polo shirts

hopping21

vkqqa7yililyjohaniyzrvy3d9gnqfm27beic76o

modelss21

uyyxam1u6xjbgk5ootfol42jbztdzb8

zxl123

Shop Discounted Louis Vuitton Handbag, Wallet, Purse and Accessories, compare to louis vuitton sale, we are the best choice.

One of the most popular handbag companies in the world iseluxury louis vuitton and they have the latest styles when it comes to high end fashion.

Please believe that our Louis Vuitton Replica online shop is your best choice for louis vuitton outlet.We are sure you'll have a wonderful experience here.

Title:Louis Vuitton LV| Louis Vuitton LV online shop |eluxury louis vuitton |Designer Replica Handbags|Hermes|Chanel|gucci|watches.

eluxury louis vuitton Monogram Canvas is a practical and graceful design, durable and lightweight is the spirit, welcome to choose Monogram Canvas from our fabulous.