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Tip #54: Differ from characteristics but with people

1/29/2015

Last week I posted about the use of distinguish. This week we examine the use of differ.

Unlike distinguish, with which only the use of from is appropriate, differ can appear correctly with either from or with. However, each of these prepositions will communicate a very different meaning .

Effective writers use differ from to discuss characteristics of two ideas of items. In essence, differ from highlights differences, much like distinguish from. However, writers use differ with to convey disagreement. Because only sentient beings can have disagreement, effective writers never use differ from when presenting ideas or other lifeless items.

Consider the example sentence in the graphic above. This sentence conveys a difference in silicon content (a characteristic) between two types of stainless steel (an inanimate object). Thus, the writer has used differ from correctly. Differ with would be appropriate if the difference were between two sentient beings, say the production manager at a foundry that produces stainless steel and a supplier.

The supplier differed with the production manager about the quality of the purchased silicon.

Stainless steel can’t disagree, but people can. Here we see an appropriate use of differ with. Differ from would not be appropriate here, since the difference is one of judgement and not characteristic.

Remember, you can differ from characteristics but with people. It’s often the little things that make all the difference. That is certainly true in the case of differ from versus differ with. Integrate these little differences into your writing, and you’ll improve both your reputation as a writer and the image of professionalism associated with your writing.

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Tip #53: Always distinguish written English from spoken English

1/22/2015

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A couple of weeks ago I spoke about the importance of the little things in our writing. Today I have another little thing for your attention. It’s the proper use of the word distinguish.

Consider the example in the graphic above. Often writers use the word distinguish to highlight a difference between two ideas or items. But those who don’t recognize the difference between written English and spoken English can produce less effective prose.

The example sentence in the graphic may sound acceptable in certain circles. But in written English the use of and with distinguish is simply not appropriate. And is a conjunction which connotes a joining or uniting. Joining and uniting act contrary to the notion of highlighting differences. Thus, the use of and with distinguish is just not appropriate.

Instead use from with distinguish. From is a preposition that connotes separation, an idea consistent with highlighting differences. Here’s an effective revision of the example sentence.

The preliminary report distinguishes the performance differences of the single cycle turbine from those of the combined cycle facility.

Remember to use from with distinguish and not and. Always distinguish written English from spoken English, and you’ve won half the battle of becoming an effective writer.

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Tip #52: That is essential to meaning, which you should know

1/15/2015

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Sometimes what separates good writing from poor writing is attention to detail. And sometimes that detail can communicate subtle but important differences.

The words that and which illustrate this concept very well. Many writers believe these two words may be used interchangeably. After all, they function in much the same way, right? Well, not quite.

Effective writers use that in phrases and clauses essential to meaning and which in phrases and clauses that are not. Often commas will signal the difference between what is essential to meaning and what is not, but that might not always be true.

Consider the example sentence in the graphic above. The phrase in question is which appears in the micrograph as thin, gray elongations and globules. Is this phrase essential to the meaning communicated in Fe3C? Not really. For this case, iron carbide always appears the same for the material and preparation conditions used to produce the micrograph. Thus, which appears in the micrograph as thin, gray elongations and globules is side information and not essential to meaning. Therefore, the writer used which correctly. The use of commas is also appropriate.

But suppose for a moment that the writer did not use commas to separate out the which phrase. The sentence would then appear like this:

Pearlite consists of Fe3C which appears in the micrograph as thin, gray elongations and globules in a matrix of ferrite.

Is this appropriate? Technically, no. Omitting the final comma creates a sentence that suggests pearlite is simply iron carbide. But it isn’t. Pearlite is iron carbide in an iron matrix. And if you have to have the final comma, then you also need one before which. So you do need the commas with the which phrase.

What about using that instead of which? Could the commas be omitted then? That sentence would look like this:

Pearlite consists of Fe3C that appears in the micrograph as thin, gray elongations and globules in a matrix of ferrite.

Again, you encounter the same problem because of the definition of pearlite. In addition, the information presented is not essential to the meaning of iron carbide, making the use of that inappropriate. The sentence as it appears in the graphic above is most appropriate.

Scientists and engineers can easily comprehend the need for precision in many of their endeavors. Writing is no different. Writers who bring precision to their writing efforts yield commensurate results. So be one of those writers! Learn what you need to learn to improve not only the effectiveness of your communications but also the professionalism of the image that those communications project.

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Tip #51: Get past the proper use of passed

1/8/2015

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With the passing of another year and the arrival of a new one, I thought it fit to discuss the difference between passed and past. Long time fans of this blog will know my emphasis between written English and spoken English. So what I’m about to say won’t surprise them.

Many poor writers write poorly because they do not distinguish written English from spoken English. They assume that written English is simply transcribed speech. That’s a poor assumption because written English and spoken English are two different animals! And those who hold poor assumptions generally get poor results.

Here’s one reason for the distinction between written and spoken English. Many words that function differently sound the same. The words passed and past provide a great example. Passed functions as a verb, but past functions as a noun, adjective, or preposition.

Observe the example sentence in the graphic above. The word past is used incorrectly. The intended word functions as a verb, but past never functions as a verb. The correct word is passed, and so the corrected sentence would appear as follows:

Although Lot #XF76 passed the quality control inspection, the previous three lots did not.

Subtle difference? Sure. But often it’s the little things that make all the difference. When it comes to your writing, make sure you attend to the little things that can make all the difference. Learn the distinctions between spoken English and written English. Your writing will communicate more effectively, and the image that portrays of both you and your organization will improve accordingly.

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Tip #54: Differ from characteristics but with people

Tip #53: Always distinguish written English from spoken English

Tip #52: That is essential to meaning, which you should know

Tip #51: Get past the proper use of passed

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