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Better English 101
Tips For Communicating Better
Vol I, No. 5
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In this issue
-- LAZY LAPSES
-- READER REQUEST--IRREGARDLESS
-- READER REQUEST--THAT AND WHICH
-- NETIQUETTE

More Tips, More Examples

Here's the first issue of the new year after a break (I almost used that overworked word, "hiatus.") for the Christmas holiday. Feel free to write back with questions and comments.

For back issues, please see the archive by clicking on the newsletter quick link below.

LAZY LAPSES
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 We've become accustomed to using terms that are frankly unsuitable for clear expression. We are just too lazy to think of the phrase that would be clearer. My two favorite irritants:

"No problem." That's a lazy substitute for "I'll take care of it," or "you're welcome."

"I was like..." This started out as a cliquish phrase used by high schoolers and has now escalated to the senior citizen level. Substitutes: "I was thinking that," or "I felt as if."

READER REQUEST--IRREGARDLESS
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 A favorite publicist asked me to discuss "irregardless." It fits into the category of nonstandard English and is also a double negative.

Similarly, "in regards to" and "with regard to" are nonstandard terms, although you would have some difficulty convincing many attorneys.

On the other hand, "regardless" as an adverb means in spite of everything; anyway. "The president says he will act, regardless of what Congress does."

"Regardless" as an adjective means unmindful, heedless. "The photograph must speak for itself, regardless of the photographer, the equipment, or the history of the shoot."

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READER REQUEST--THAT AND WHICH
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 Another reader asked me to distinguish "that" from "which."

Use "that" for persons or things. "Which" is used mostly for things.

But then it gets complicated--like most rules in English. Standard English says that we should use "that" to introduce restrictive clauses and "which" for nonrestrictive clauses.

A restrictive clause limits, is essential and may not be omitted. It is not set off by commas from the noun or pronoun that it is modifying. Here's a sentence with a restrictive clause: "We will explore the Atlantic City beach that has seven miles of hidden fossils."

A nonrestrictive clause describes rather than limits, and is set off by a comma. Here's a sentence with a nonrestrictive clause: "We will explore the Atlantic City beach, which has seven miles of hidden fossils."

After all that, you can find the use of "which" in restrictive clauses to be considered grammatically acceptable. Sometimes it just sounds more natural. An example: "I'm looking for a website which will tell me all about simple and clear writing."

Quick tips--

That: restrictive, essential, no comma, people or things

Which: nonrestrictive, descriptive, comma, mostly things


NETIQUETTE
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 We send emails frequently as if manners don't matter and our thinking process has deadened. How many times are you confused by a subject line that has nothing in it, or even worse...some clueless phrase? My favorite irritants are subjects with "hi," and "hello."

Consider these suggestions before sending that next email.

1. Include a subject line that summarizes the email. Check to be sure that it isn't left from an earlier email some time ago when the subject was different.

2. Don?t use all caps except to emphasize a word or phrase. Otherwise, you are "shouting" and making the email difficult to read.

3. Watch your sense of humor. Your tone is not always caught with text. And we all don't agree on what's funny.

4. Reread emails before you send them. Clean up grammar, cut unnecessary information.

5. Don?t be overly familiar with a recipient you don?t know. Use formal titles and last names until she advises otherwise.

6. Don't forget the spell check feature.

7. Don?t send large files or attachments without permission.


Best wishes,
Barry Beckham


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