e-prime: The Basics - e-prime

e-prime · 11-17-2005, 06:17 AM

e-prime: The Basics

"e-prime" refers to a modified version of the English language that prohibits the use of the verb "to be" in all its forms.

The verb 'to be' has several distinct functions:

* identity, of the form "noun be noun" [The dog is an animal]
* predication, of the form "noun be adjective" [The dog is furry]
* auxiliary, of the form "noun be verb" [The dog is sleeping]; [The dog is bitten by the mouse]
* existence, of the form "noun be" [There is a dog]
* location, of the form "noun be place" [The dog is on the mat]

The original founder of e-prime sees specifically the "identity" and "predication" functions as pernicious, but advocates eliminating all forms for the sake of simplicity.

e-prime speakers avoid using all forms of "to be", which include the following:

be, being, been, am, is, isn't, are, aren't, was, wasn't, were, weren't, I'm, you're, we're, they're, he's, she's, it's

e-prime speakers do use following words as they do not derive from forms of "to be".

become, has, have, I've, you've, do, does, doing, did, can, could, will, would, shall, should, ought

Example

About e-prime (explained in e-standard or standard English)

e-prime is English without "to be". e-prime is a great way to express yourself more clearly.

e-prime is your guarantee for linguistic rationality and your insurance against unclear thoughts and superstition.

e-prime is a new language for a better world.

About e-prime (explained in e-prime)

e-prime, the complete omission of the verb "to be" from the English language, empowers you to express yourself more clearly.

e-prime enforces linguistic rationality and prevents unclear thoughts and superstition.

Widespread use of e-prime could change our understanding of each other for the better.

e-prime.com

e-prime.com allows you to practice your e-prime in a relaxed discussion environment. Our forum software automatically identifies remnants of e-standard so you can immediately edit your posts until they consist of pure e-prime only.

We also discuss ways to improve, enhance and promote e-prime.

Join us now!

Michael · 01-17-2007, 06:22 PM

I think you should applied these basics to the welcome message... unless you intentionally wrote it with mistakes so as to direct people to this thread through the links...

suspect · 11-28-2007, 04:21 PM

This helps me to identify the whole new perspective of writing skilled English. I am sure that I will build more strong expressed English with the help of this forum.

DadaKampol · 11-28-2007, 09:05 PM

I once had an opendairy under the name Eprime. It sharpened my writing and helped me think about clarifying things I needed said. It tickles my mind now just to write this way.

Marcio_Osorio · 12-06-2007, 03:50 PM

For over a year and a half I have amassed an incredibly smaller collection of EP articles, most of which you may have already seen on the Internet.

Karen · 12-07-2007, 11:42 PM

I facilitate many business writing workshops with the emphasis on e-prime. I encourage people to bring in their office memos because so much miscommunication and missing informaton takes place through the memo. The results of this course run off the charts. If you have a business and would like to standardize a memo in e-prime, then I invite you to send it to me on this site and I will help you to rewrite it in e-prime. Karen

ZeroCapacity · 12-10-2007, 12:07 AM

I think Karen may just get another award soon

Karen · 12-10-2007, 12:11 PM

How fun......

And what worthy contribution did I give to deserve your kind words?

I leave tomorrow morning for Hajj, so I don't know if I will have access to a computer. If not, I will meet up with all of you by the last week of December. Until then, happy holidays to everyone and may all of you bring in the New Year surrounded by those you love and those who love you back.

ZeroCapacity · 12-11-2007, 12:51 AM

Happy holidays Karen and I hope you have fun on your trip!

crystalserenity101 · 12-13-2007, 07:09 PM

Wow Karen. Hajj? May it change your life for the better.

Karen · 01-17-2008, 11:50 PM

Dear crystalserenity, sorry for the very late reply. Thank you for your kind words. I returned from Hajj and I must say, the experience felt incredulous. I have so many amazing stories to tell. The vision of the kanakabbah brings tears to my eyes visualize it. I feel so overwhelmed that Allah invited me to this incredible country to see so much of the beginning of recorded time.