Posted by Writing Specialist
Blog
01/24/2011 at 04:28 PM
Sometimes, even good words go bad with incorrect usage. For example, take the word "prevaricate," which means "to fib" as in lie through your teeth. But it has been misused in at least funny and sometimes grave ways. See the whole pinata. Wait, make that enchilada, below, taken from today's Word Tip of the Day by Bryan Garner. You can subscribe to Garner's daily email at:
http://www.oup.com/us/subscriptions/subscribe/?view=usa
Prevaricate.
"Prevaricate" = to avoid telling the truth, esp. by equivocating; to lie -- e.g.: "Impressed by...
Posted by Writing Specialist
Blog
01/24/2011 at 03:14 PM
"Do you perpetrate run-on sentences?" This question begins a great entry in the legal writing blog of Professor Wayne Schiess. The answer to the question? "Probably not. And it’s not a crime. But perpetrating a run-on sentence sends a message about you: You’re less than fully literate or you don’t proofread well. In this post I’ll define terms, highlight types of run-ons, and offer suggestions for fixing them."
Run-on sentences are often construed to mean a wordy or overly lengthy sentence. But a run-on is a very specific grammar error referring to a sentence...
