The Dicta Diva

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

The Dicta Diva

Welcome to Dicta!

Dicta!is all about words: Thoughts, comments and critical musings--starting with mine--on how American English is misused and abused all over the place. (Let me count the ways!) And occasionally, praise for a phrase or whatever that's, well, word-perfect.

In this space you'll see plenty of examples and specifics, and now and then a refresher on some rule of grammar or syntax or punctuation or pronunciation to illustrate a point and remind ourselves why it matters or doesn't matter, as the case may be.

I hope you'll comment, and contribute real-life examples, too--possibly even from something I've written. (It'll happen: perfectionists aren't perfect.)

Stay tuned. Should be fun!

posted by Linda Saracino, The Dicta Diva at 12:06 PM

6 Comments:

  • This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger R.A., at 4:14 PM  

  • When can we start ranting about apostrophes? Glad you see you have joined the blogosphere. This is going to be fun.

    Jackie Lynn
    Author of The Online Shopper’s Survival Guide
    www.jacquelynlynn.com

    By Blogger Jacquelyn Lynn, at 4:55 PM  

  • You're off to a great start! I know we're going to see some fun stuff :)

    Charlene

    By Blogger Charlene Davis, at 5:47 PM  

  • And this is why I need an editor ... that should have been "glad to see you have joined ..."

    Jackie

    By Blogger Jacquelyn Lynn, at 9:41 AM  

  • Hi Linda,
    I work at an ad agency and I recently changed positions -- I am now "official" proofreader. I am trying to find some good workshops/seminars to help brush-up on my grammar, improve my competency in using proofreader's marks, and advice on the most intelligent way back-up or justify my revisions to our copywriters. Please email me at cwillis@pushhere.com with any advice.

    I look forward to reading and learning from The Dicta Diva.

    Carrie

    By Blogger mooncalf, at 10:24 AM  

  • Having been invited to do so, I’m offering my rant about apostrophes …

    One of the most misused punctuation marks is the apostrophe. This little symbol that looks like a comma but is at the top of line has two purposes: to indicate the omission of a letter or letters from a word (does not, doesn’t) and to indicate the possessive case (belongs to Mary, Mary’s). Do not use an apostrophe when making a word plural.

    Of course, like so many elements of English, there are a few exceptions. For example, you don’t need an apostrophe to make a personal pronoun possessive (mine, ours, your, yours, his, hers, its, theirs, whose). If you use an apostrophe with a pronoun, it should only be when the meaning calls for a contraction (you’re, it’s, there’s, who’s).

    It amazes me how often the apostrophe is misused in published material that one would think has been proofread. The Apostrophe Protection Society has some great examples on its site at http://www.apostrophe.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm. Here are just a few:

    Parking – Resident’s and Visitor’s Only
    Its all about passion
    Reserved for Principals Office
    Lush cosmetic’s, CD’s, video’s, book’s, gift’s
    Dear Passenger’s:
    Major Wedding Dresse’s Exhibition
    Its the law
    How would you like your’s done?

    At best, an incorrect apostrophe is just funny; at worst, it changes—or essentially destroys—the meaning of a phrase or sentence. And it always makes a very telling and uncomplimentary remark about the writer.

    Jacquelyn Lynn

    By Blogger Jacquelyn Lynn, at 4:14 PM  

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