LBM Editing

New Website!

2005-07-28T16:56:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

Please visit my new Website,

www.LBM-Editing.com

I look forward to working with you.

Warmly,

Laura Matthews
LBM Editing
Make your ideas shine!

Editing Tip: Its & Whose (& It's & Who's)

2005-06-21T11:44:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the English language is pretty straightforward, but a couple notable exceptions are its / it's and whose / who's. And while this may be a losing battle -- meaning eventually the apostrophe-s will probably become acceptable for both words in both cases -- it hasn't happened yet. So here's a quick way to remember which is which.

Use the apostrophe-s when the word is a contraction. Who's is a contraction for who is only, and thus is only correct when it can substitute for that phrase. Likewise, it's is used only as a substitution for the phrase it is. Examples: "Who's responsible for this chair?" and "It's broken."

The other two forms, whose and its, are used when the words are possessive, as in, "Whose chair is this?" and "Its leg is broken."

And again, in 10 - 15 years, the point might be moot, but until then show your superior knowledge of literacy and avoid mixing them up.

Next time: there, their and they're.

Contact Laura

Editing Tip: Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs

2005-06-06T06:34:00.000-04:00

A linking verb (or copula verb) makes your sentence into an equation. Sentence subject equals sentence predicate. Therefore, the best time to use one is when you want to draw a conclusion for your readers.

The weather is awful.
You look mahvelous.
Something's smelling up the garage.

In these instances, the reader has no choice but to agree with what you're saying in order to keep reading. You are deciding what the reader will think and experience, making it simple for them to read and understand.

To give the reader more freedom of imagination, employ action verbs.

The storm lowered off the Newburyport coastline.
Your hair sparkles in the sunlight.
She inhaled a whiff of yesterday's banana peels when she opened the door to the garage.

In these instances, readers have a choice about what conclusions to draw from the imagery, and they need to use their imaginations to experience what you're writing about. It's harder work for them, but more rewarding and engaging.

Contact Laura

Editing Tip: Adverbs & Adjectives

2005-05-30T07:39:00.000-04:00

The English language is blessed with more words than any other (probably). This being the case, it is often tempting to flex our vocabulary muscles and include as many descriptors as we can. But don't!

Do your readers a favor and trim the time they have to spend poring over your work. Lessen the word count by taking full advantage of the English vocabulary.

Rules of thumb:

Try to incorporate the adverb in the verb.

"She talked loudly" could be "she shouted," "she harangued," "she complained," "she cursed."
"He left quickly" could be "he fled," "he vaulted," "he vamoosed," "he skedaddled."
(I'd skedaddle too, after a harangue like that.)

Only include an adjective if it makes a difference to the noun.

"The red cardinal" is redundant. If you saw a blue cardinal, it would warrant the adjective. (Of course, up here in Boston, it's "the winning Cardinal" that we never see. And the Sox are always Red.)

As most people agree Blaise Pascal said first, "I have made this letter longer than usual, because I lack the time to make it short."

Take the time, and make an impression.

Contact Laura

Editing Tip: Active vs. Passive Voice

2005-05-24T15:18:00.000-04:00

In active voice, you always know who's doing the action. In passive voice, the "actor" is in doubt. Use active voice for lively, engaging content in which you're trying to paint a picture. Use passive voice in instances when you want to avoid placing blame.

Examples:

P -- The plant has been shredded.
A -- The cat shredded the plant.
(I always knew it was the cat.)

P -- The homework was lost.
A -- The dog ate my homework.
(Blaming someone else is still active voice, as long as you can tell who's taking the hit.)

P -- Honey, the budget for electronic equipment has been exceeded.
A -- Honey, I bought a new car stereo.
(Correct approach depends on your spouse.)

Got an active/passive question? Send it in!

Contact Laura

LBM Editing

2005-05-20T12:45:00.000-04:00

For expert help with the written word, contact Laura.

Phone: 508 / 788-0433

Email: lbmatthews@aol.com

Location: Framingham, Massachusetts