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Better English 33
Timely Communications Tips
July 23, 2009
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A LITTLE THIS, A LITTLE THAT
-- THINK, "I LOVE YOU "
-- USE PRESENT TENSE FOR THE PERMANENTLY TRUE
-- PROTAGONIST IS MAIN CHARACTER?

In the middle of the summer, here are some simple tips to consider over your iced tea.

THINK, "I LOVE YOU "
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 One comment by those who knew Michael Jackson well stands out in my mind. They all declared that Michael never said anything bad about anybody.

How is that for a model of communicating?

Here's a related tip that has always made sense to me but is just as difficult to follow as Michael's example. It helps you project a kindly impression while speaking with someone.

Ready?

While you are speaking and looking into the other person's eyes, think this thought: "I love you."

It sure would be difficult to frown.


USE PRESENT TENSE FOR THE PERMANENTLY TRUE
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 Statements that are permanently true take the present tense.

We get confused when the first part of the sentence is in the past tense.

For example, you met a person two weeks ago and declare incorrectly, "I didn't know she had brown eyes."

Correctly, since she always will have brown eyes, you should say, "I didn't know she HAS brown eyes."

Other correct examples:
  • When Wilt looked down on me, I realized how tall he IS.
  • That report showed me that all the senators HAVE health insurance.
  • I knew before applying years ago that Brown IS the country's seventh oldest university.
  • Last week, the eclipse--when the moon PASSES between the sun and Earth--terrified many in India.

PROTAGONIST IS MAIN CHARACTER?
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 I discourage my editors from referring to the main character in a fiction as the protagonist.

After all, the word derives from the Greek term meaning the person who plays the first part or is the chief actor in a drama.

Actors perform in dramas, not in novels.

If we use the term "protagonist," then his major opponent would be the "antagonist."

Pretty soon, we'd be referring to Lolita's mother in Nabokov's novel as the "deus ex machina."

Which term would you use while speaking to grandma?--"character" or "protagonist"?

Sincerely,
Barry Beckham


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