Questions about word choice where the focus is on etymology or grammar may be more on-topic at Stack Exchange's English Language & Usage site.
2
votes
1answer
1k views
When is it correct to capitalize terms/phrases in a personal statement?
I'm writing a personal statement for graduate admissions, and I've a query regarding the use of capitalization in the midst of sentences. For example, is it correct/expected to capitalize the names of ...
6
votes
3answers
362 views
Is concurrent first person / third person usage absolutely unacceptable?
Background: My understanding about first person / third person is this: choose a voice and maintain it throughout the piece. However, when writing marketing-type information, I find myself switching ...
1
vote
3answers
336 views
How to fix awkward “sufficiently… that…” sentence structure?
I have written the following sentence, but I am dissatisfied with its construction. In particular, the that joining the two parts of the sentence reads somewhat awkwardly. Can anyone suggest a better ...
6
votes
2answers
123 views
Finding words through meanings
Is there a place or a type of dictionary or even a good method, that instead of searching for a word, I can search for a meaning and get more words that have similar idea or meaning?
For example, if ...
2
votes
3answers
70 views
What is best way to accentuate the positive in an endorsement?
I want to write an endorsement for someone. I have one line that begins like this:
"I have no doubt that ..."
But I don't like the negative connotation of 'no doubt'. My best alternative of
...
0
votes
2answers
148 views
Is there anything wrong with saying “Thanks” several times in the same email? If not, how could I correct it?
E.g. here is an email I just sent:
Hello X,
Okay I see - thanks very much for all the code! I'll definitely have
to take some time to study it before I can ask any questions. :)
Also - ...
12
votes
7answers
1k views
Why does using this “-ing” verb construction make my writing weaker?
I had to write a scholarship essay, wherein I wrote this sentence:
Over the ensuing years I read as much as I could, trying to increase my knowledge and understanding of my own language.
I sent ...
2
votes
3answers
590 views
A more specific type of “nervous laughter”
A handful of my friends have an odd trait where they say something and immediately laugh after it in an attempt to judge its success. The topic is usually a rant along the lines of, "These people have ...
1
vote
4answers
219 views
Complimenting on solid structure with no major flaws
When reviewing fiction, there's a certain quality that's very important to me, which I can best describe as being "solid." By which I mean: the story is well thought-out, well constructed; it flows ...
3
votes
3answers
794 views
Is Postscript still useful in the age of email?
"Post script is usually written when a writer forgets to write something on the main body of the letter and wants to add on to what he had written on the letter." But in this age of email and word ...
3
votes
3answers
381 views
What is a systematic way of using Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases?
I'm new to the book, and not sure where to start. Please share some ideas on how you as a writer use Roget's. I love that the book has so many different words and I would like to know how you use ...
7
votes
4answers
815 views
Common words to avoid when writing formally
I am rather useless at writing formal English and sometimes find that I can come across informal with my choice of words. So I wondered what common words and phrases should be avoided when writing an ...
