Comments on: Test Your Knowledge of the Rules of Writing http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing Writing tips for the real world. Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:00:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Jane http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-18154 Jane Mon, 31 May 2010 17:33:15 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-18154 I would have thought that number 8 would read better if it were written, "Of the three" rather than "Among the three". Is this more of an English English preference? I'm also not convinced by Bill's notion that we don't distinguish between "which" and "that" in these circumstances, or perhaps I'm more of "The Old School" than many editors. Keep up the good work. We all have gaps in our knowledge and lapses in our habits if they are not challenged now and again. Thanks, Jane I would have thought that number 8 would read better if it were written, “Of the three” rather than “Among the three”. Is this more of an English English preference?

I’m also not convinced by Bill’s notion that we don’t distinguish between “which” and “that” in these circumstances, or perhaps I’m more of “The Old School” than many editors.

Keep up the good work. We all have gaps in our knowledge and lapses in our habits if they are not challenged now and again.

Thanks,
Jane

]]> By: mike http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-16316 mike Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:16:36 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-16316 Steve: thanks for the test. I did well. How easy is it to get a job copy-editing? How can one get-into this line of work? What are the typical qualifications for which companies/publishers look in order to hire copyeditors? I've enjoyed your site. Thanks! Mike Steve:

thanks for the test. I did well. How easy is it to get a job copy-editing? How can one get-into this line of work? What are the typical qualifications for which companies/publishers look in order to hire copyeditors? I’ve enjoyed your site.

Thanks!
Mike

]]> By: Toni http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-9355 Toni Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:00:05 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-9355 80%! I tripped over sentences 8 and 9, you know the two with the Nazi grammar rules! I enjoyed this post Steve, thanks! 80%! I tripped over sentences 8 and 9, you know the two with the Nazi grammar rules! I enjoyed this post Steve, thanks!

]]> By: b.torres http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-3069 b.torres Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:59:55 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-3069 That was fun! Verry good. That was fun! Verry good.

]]> By: Bill http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-2981 Bill Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:08:35 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-2981 It's the copy editor in me. :-) I really enjoy this site & I like the pointers and insights you post. It’s the copy editor in me. :-)

I really enjoy this site & I like the pointers and insights you post.

]]> By: Steve Osborne http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-2979 Steve Osborne Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:19:34 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-2979 Thanks for pointing that out Thanks for pointing that out

]]> By: Steve Osborne http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-2978 Steve Osborne Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:15:38 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-2978 Hi Mindy! Congrats on the recent large addition. In answer to your question, the sound of the letter -- not whether it's a vowel or not -- dictates whether to use an "a" or an "an." "NBA" sounds like it starts with a vowel. Take care. Hi Mindy! Congrats on the recent large addition. In answer to your question, the sound of the letter — not whether it’s a vowel or not — dictates whether to use an “a” or an “an.” “NBA” sounds like it starts with a vowel. Take care.

]]> By: Mindy http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-2977 Mindy Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:52:46 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-2977 Jen told me about your website. Awesome! I have a question for you. I've noticed that "an" is often placed before acronyms. In this case, I noticed it before "NBA". Why is that correct when it doesn't start with a vowel? Jen told me about your website. Awesome! I have a question for you. I’ve noticed that “an” is often placed before acronyms. In this case, I noticed it before “NBA”. Why is that correct when it doesn’t start with a vowel?

]]> By: Bill http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing/comment-page-1#comment-2970 Bill Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:52:02 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/writing-rules/test-your-knowledge-of-the-rules-of-writing#comment-2970 " 'Which' is used with things. For example: The Prius is one of the new cars which uses hybrid technology.)" Actually, according to the Chicago Manual of Style, it should be: "The Prius is one of those new cars *that* uses hybrid technology." From Section 5.202: *that* is used restrictively to narrow a category or identify a particular item being talked about {any building that is taller must be outside the state}; *which* is used nonrestrictively—not to narrow a class or identify a particular item but to add something about an item already identified {alongside the officer trotted a toy poodle, which is hardly a typical police dog}. *Which* should be used restrictively only when it is preceded by a preposition {the situation in which we find ourselves}. Otherwise it is almost always preceded by a comma, a parenthesis, or a dash. Unless you're British. British writers and editors tend to ignore the distinction. ” ‘Which’ is used with things. For example: The Prius is one of the new cars which uses hybrid technology.)”

Actually, according to the Chicago Manual of Style, it should be: “The Prius is one of those new cars *that* uses hybrid technology.”

From Section 5.202:
*that* is used restrictively to narrow a category or identify a particular item being talked about {any building that is taller must be outside the state}; *which* is used nonrestrictively—not to narrow a class or identify a particular item but to add something about an item already identified {alongside the officer trotted a toy poodle, which is hardly a typical police dog}. *Which* should be used restrictively only when it is preceded by a preposition {the situation in which we find ourselves}. Otherwise it is almost always preceded by a comma, a parenthesis, or a dash.

Unless you’re British. British writers and editors tend to ignore the distinction.

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