----------------------------------------------------------------- THE BETTER WRITING SKILLS NEWSLETTER, April 2012 By Tim North of Scribe Consulting www.scribe.com.au ----------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the Better Writing Skills newsletter. IN THIS ISSUE 1. "Each" versus "both" 2. Common mistakes with apostrophes 3. "Flyer" versus "flier" 4. Just for fun Your comments and questions are always welcome. Just send email to: info@scribe.com.au Cheers, Tim North (Perth, Western Australia) ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. "Each" versus "both" ----------------------------------------------------------------- My first correspondent this month, Adam, wrote in with a question about word usage: There seem to be occasions when 'each' or 'both' are used interchangeably, eg: 'They each have a car', or 'they both have a car'; or 'each of you may invest 10,000' or 'both of you may invest 10,000'. These words are certainly similar, but they have subtly different meanings. For example, "They each have a car" makes clear that there are two cars. "They both have a car" might possibly be misunderstood to mean that they share one car between them. It's best to use "each" when you want to refer to the individual members of group separately, as in the first example above. Similarly, "Each of you may invest $10,000" suggests that there may be two (or more) investments of this amount. "Both of you may invest $10,000" might mean that only a single investment is permitted. Adam continued: Are these just subtle differences, newer modern parlance or obviously incorrect? There's certainly nothing obviously incorrect with any of the examples that you've provided. The each-both distinction is rather subtle. Thanks for the question. Hope this helps. -- (c) 2012 Tim North: http://www.scribe.com.au ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Common mistakes with apostrophes ----------------------------------------------------------------- Next, let's revisit the perennial topic of apostrophes. Here are a few situations in which apostrophes are commonly misused: The boy's were arguing. (Wrong) The boys were arguing. (Correct) An apostrophe would be wrong in the example above because we're not indicating that the boys own anything, nor are we omitting any letters. An apostrophe is simply not needed. A closely related error is the use of an apostrophe to make an upper-case word plural; e.g. We bought new PC's, CD's and DVD's. (Wrong) We bought new PCs, CDs and DVDs. (Correct) There is no need for the apostrophe here as it is not indicating possession or omitted letters. It's simply making these words plural, and we don't need an apostrophe for that. Finally, take note of the common confusion between "its" and "it's". The following examples should reinforce how to use them correctly: IT'S necessary to use an apostrophe if you mean "it is". IT'S easy to remember that. So if IT'S "it is" you mean, use an apostrophe. My PC has had ITS memory expanded. What is the size of ITS memory now? I think ITS memory is eight gigabytes now. Summary: Use an apostrophe if you mean "it is". -- (c) 2012 Tim North: http://www.scribe.com.au ----------------------------------------------------------------- Do you know someone who'd like this newsletter? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a friend or colleague who'd find the Better Writing Skills newsletter interesting? If so, please feel free to send a copy of this issue to them. Alternatively, please tell them they can browse back issues here: http://www.scribe.com.au/newsletter.html Thanks for helping to make this newsletter so successful! ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3. "Flyer" versus "flier" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some tricky questions for you: 1. Is someone who flies a lot a "frequent flyer" or a "frequent "flier"? 2. Is a one-page advertisement for an upcoming event a "flyer" or a "flier"? 3. Are the spellings the same for both of these meanings? As you might have guessed if you've been reading this newsletter for a while, this is one of those situations where British and American English vary. In British English, "flyer" is usually regarded as the preferred spelling for both meanings. "Flier" is listed by the Oxford and Macquarie dictionaries as an acceptable alternative, though. In US English, things are less standardised. Some sources (such as the American Heritage dictionary) list "flier" as the preferred spelling for both. The majority of US sources, though, (such as the Merriam Webster dictionary) prefer "flier" for someone who flies and "flyer" for an advertisement. It's clear that in both British and American English, usage is varied and inconsistent. Pick a suitable style and stick to it. Hope this helps. -- (c) 2012 Tim North: http://www.scribe.com.au ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Just for fun ---------------------------------------------------------------- A regular contributor, Denise, sent me this wonderful piece during the month. Thanks, Denise! In Cahoots I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity any more. I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older. One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! I may have been in Continent, and I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing. (Original author unknown.) Enjoy. Cheers, Tim. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Would you like more help with your writing? ----------------------------------------------------------------- On my web site, you'll find my range of jargon-free, downloadable e-books that will help you to become a better writer. 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