Lately we’ve been addressing precision of language in technical writing. Two post ago we examined the importance of avoiding half a and half an. In the last post we examined another such word — ‘til. In this post we’ll discuss another word in that same vein — some.
In all of these cases the difference between spoken and written English has played an important role. Each of these examples introduce informality which more effective technical writing typically avoids.
In that same vein, some writers use the word some (which is an adjective meaning an undetermined quantity or a pronoun meaning certain unspecified persons) in place of the word somewhat (which is an adverb meaning to an extent). While this practice may find acceptance in speech, more effective technical writing is structurally sound in its grammar.
This means the writer should revise the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. Here are two alternatives, both of which are acceptable.
In all of these cases the difference between spoken and written English has played an important role. Each of these examples introduce informality which more effective technical writing typically avoids.
In that same vein, some writers use the word some (which is an adjective meaning an undetermined quantity or a pronoun meaning certain unspecified persons) in place of the word somewhat (which is an adverb meaning to an extent). While this practice may find acceptance in speech, more effective technical writing is structurally sound in its grammar.
This means the writer should revise the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. Here are two alternatives, both of which are acceptable.
Quality has somewhat improved since the implementation of Six Sigma at the factory.
Quality has improved somewhat since the implementation of Six Sigma at the factory.
Quality has improved somewhat since the implementation of Six Sigma at the factory.
It’s very common in speech to employ informal constructs. But more effective technical writing demands that writers avoid informality. So avoid some more than somewhat. Use the word that more clearly communicates your message. More precise language means a better presentation of your message to your audience, and that will leave them with a better impression of both you and your brands.
RSS Feed