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~ The
Write Way ~
Friday 9 February 2001 ~ The Write Way ~Friday 9 February 2001 The House that Jack Built
Greetings, Before we get down to business, just a quick thank you to those who've recommended this newsletter (and my site) to their friends. We now number over 3,000, and over the past 25 days, Write101 has averaged 653 unique visitors (and 1,927 hits) a day! Isn't it great to know there are others like us who are interested in writing? So, if you know anyone who'd like to receive a copy of the Write Way, please send this link: mailto:WritingTips-subscribe@yahoogroups.com If you're interested in advertising and marketing tips, feel free to subscribe to my other newsletter, Advertising Tips: mailto:Specials3-subscribe@yahoogroups.com I've been asked a number of times to clarify the use of "which" and "that" and today seemed like as good a time as any to tackle these little critters. Here we go ... that is a demonstrative pronoun, so it demonstrates differences between things. If you are defining something by distinguishing it from a larger class of which it is a member, you use that. This is the house that Jack built. (Not the house that was built by Tom, Dick or Harry.) That is restrictive, which means it tells you a necessary piece of information about its antecedent. In the example above, the that phrase answers an important question: which of the many recently constructed houses are we talking about? And the answer is, the one "that Jack built." Which is non-restrictive: it doesn't limit the word it refers to in any way, so when the general class is not being limited or defined in some way, which is appropriate: The trees he planted, which are called eucalyptus rosea, have grown well so far. Here that is unnecessary: the which does not tell us which of the many trees called eucalyptus rosea we're considering; it simply provides an extra piece of information about the trees we're already discussing. It boils down to this: if you can tell which thing is being discussed without the which or that clause, use which; if you can't tell, use that. Another way to work out which one to use, is that if the phrase needs a comma, you probably need which. If you still have difficulty keeping them straight, just imagine by the way following every which: "The trees he planted, which (by the way) are called eucalyptus rosea, have grown well so far. The which adds a useful, but not grammatically necessary, piece of information. On the other hand, we wouldn't say "The house which (by the way) Jack built." because The house on its own isn't enough information - which house? A paradoxical mnemonic: use that to tell which, and which to tell that. Or, you could follow some sound advice I came across: If the subtle difference between the two confuses you, use whatever sounds right. Other matters are more worthy of your attention! All clear? Great! No, shucks ... no need to thank me, just send money ;) This week's quiz: Choose the word closest in meaning to the first word in each of the following: 1. prestigious: massive, solemn, ancient, honoured 2. acme: monument, peak, honour, reward 3. subservient: arrogant, submissive, demanding, underneath 4. instrumental: instructive, intelligent, important, fortunate 5. catharsis: explosion, cleansing, pollution, cough 6. acrid: pleasant, crazed, irritating, soothing 7. recluse: spider, hermit, request, hiding place 8. acrimony: break-up, dispute, bitterness, custody 9. propriety: misbehaviour, suitability, harassment, drama 10.servile: efficient, pleasant, submissive, unnerving Special Offer for Writers Here's a copywriting course where 23 of the best copywriters in the world reveal all their secrets for creating profitable marketing materials. Each of these master copywriters gives you a blow-by-blow account of precisely how he/she conceives and creates winning ads, sales letters, and web marketing pieces. The course consists of over 400 pages of detailed strategies that have
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this will benefit your writing: http://www.write101.com/letters/master.htm Leo sent me this little story that I'm sure most of us will be able to relate to, in one way or another: A man observed a woman in the grocery store with a three year old girl Choose the word from each set that is closest in meaning to the first word: 1. aristocrat (NOBLE, power, ruler, worker) 2. pungent (sweet, SHARP, blunt, explosive) 3. gratuity (fee, service, obligation, TIP) 4. opus (achievement, COMPOSITION, burden, talent) 5. reclamation (return, retreat, RESTORATION, resumption) 6. autism (SELF-ABSORPTION, self-governance, authenticity, authority) 7. gratis (irritating, grateful, inexpensive, FREE) 8. gratify (unify, donate, SATISFY, modify) 9. implicit (unforseen, UNSAID, unintended, unexpected) 10.bureaucrat (furniture maker, politician, OFFICIAL, servant) Here are some Little Golden Books that never made it. I guarantee there's something here to offend everyone, so if you're feeling a bit twitchy ... skip over this part. Remember, I did warn you ... Little Golden Books that Never Made It Oh dear ... I know, they're terrible, aren't they? (Muffled laughter...) Sorry ... tch tch ... just dreadful ... ~ * ~ This is the time of year when many of us are filled with enthusiasm - take advantage of this while it lasts and plan your Internet business using this helpful guide: http://www.write101.com/letters/profits.htm~ * ~ Word of the week: Dysology (n) Dispraise; uncomplimentary remarks. The opposite of "eulogy." "Okay, everyone, let's hear it for the retiring President! Let's give him the dyslogy he so richly deserves!" Tautology of the week: unique individual Here's a Latin phrase you can use next week ...on Valentine's Day ... Yes, it's another example of commercial exploitation, I know ... but it's a good excuse to practise your Latin. O! Plus! Perge! Aio! Ooh! Ummm! (Oh! More! Go on! Yes! Ooh! Ummm!) If you received this from a friend, click here to receive your own copy: mailto:WritingTips-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Regards, Jennifer To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to WritingTips-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com or go to the ONElist web site, at www.onelist.com, and select the My Groups link from the menu bar. This menu will also let you change your subscription between digest and normal mode.
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