Some Words Are Like Your Appendix: You Can Live Without Them

By: Pamela Beers
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:43:10
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As far as I’m concerned the adverb anymore needs to be relegated to the dung heap along with its cousin, any more. Both make for awkward sentence structure, interrupting the flow of words and consequently the ability to communicate with precision.

If writers insist on using the word anymore, the only acceptable place is in a statement about a change in a previous condition or activity. It is often spelled as two words, any more, but most authorities accept it as a compound word today.

For example: You can’t trust politicians anymore. Why not write, “You can’t trust politicians.” The word anymore is implied and unnecessary.

Some people use anymore in place of lately. How about this gem? Dad is getting tired anymore. Correct: Dad has been getting tired lately.

The word anymore is like your appendix. You can live without it. NEVER, NEVER use anymore as a synonym for nowadays, today, or lately (good grief)!

Writing has to be more precise than speaking or it will be misunderstood. With emails flying around offices in corporate America, I see some serious miscommunication in the work place, making for confusion and, many times, hurt feelings. In one particular instance, miscommunication (poor grammar skills) via emails resulted in a loss of $28M. A state audit uncovered the email boo boos, very poor writing indeed!

My wonderfully creative, high school English teacher always said, “When in doubt throw it out.” When I write, that’s what I do. Now if only I could apply that logic to my closets, I’d be all set.

Copyright © 2006 by Pamela Beers. All rights reserved.

Pamela Beers is a freelance writer and educator. Visit her website at http://www.pamelabeers.com for more writing and marketing tips.

Article source: Expert Articles

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