Stormy grammar mistakes!
Hurricane season started June 1. Eliot has written numerous articles, and even a book, about hurricanes, and does several talks a year about them. This word always has bugged him. Active? What does that mean? Above average? A lot? Armageddon? What would constitute an inactive season? Zero hurricanes? That’s never happened. Just say, “above average” or “below average.” And one more thing: Season predictions, wth the TV spittle that accompanies them, mostly are irresponsible. And worthless. Except to the extent that they encourage you, if you live in the hurricane zone, to prepare for the season. Which you should do anyway. If scientists predicted 20 storms, or just one storm, would that affect your preparation in any way?
In the news business, you want to make sure the most important part of a story is right at the front. You don’t want to “bury the lead.” That’s a good rule everywhere.
We’ve covered this before. What days is this place closed? Right. None. So just say, “open every day.”
Keith Nelson
The country is Sudan.
We’re confused. Something used to relieve depression can cause depression. To the point of suicide. Huh? There likely is an explanation for this. Shouldn’t the ad say? Readers?
And we go to the video archives for Segment 83: “It’s people!”
Readers: "Something Went Horribly Wrong" features samples of bad writing we see nearly every day. You can participate! Be our duly deputized “grammar police.” Your motto: “To protect and correct.” Send in your photos of store signs, street signs, menus, TV news graphics, newspaper headlines, tweets, and so on. It doesn’t have to be a grammatical error. It can be just what we call “cowardly writing.” Include your name and home town so we can credit you properly. You're free to add a comment, although we reserve the right to edit or omit. Now get out there! Send to Eliot@eliotkleinberg.com
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NOTE: Eliot and Lou Ann are available for speaking engagements, and can travel. Reach us through the comments section. Just think of all of your employees getting back to work on a Monday, their heads filled with all the ways we’ve shown them to be better communicators!