From something I'm editing (about how to create an effective review site):
"Reading actual comments from past customers, good and bad, can be the most influential component on a review site."
The problem here is the "good and bad" phrase. It is supposed to modify "comments" but it sits next to "customers." Perhaps the customers are good; perhaps they are bad. But the writer didn't mean to talk about their character. Let's move the phrase to the right place:
"Reading actual comments, good and bad, from past customers can be the most influential component on a review site."
I might even like to change the commas to em dashes--to make what I'm saying more prominent:
"Reading actual comments--good and bad--from past customers can be the most influential component on a review site."
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If you have a writing, grammar, style or punctuation question, send an e-mail message to curiouscase at sign hotmail dot com.
Add Your Own Criminal Sentence!
If you find a particularly terrible sentence somewhere, post it for all to see (go here and put it in the Comments section).
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Criminal Sentence 648: Sweet!
From a book about space travel:
"...the Mojave Dessert facility..."
This sounds awesome! Chocolate at Mojave?
Oops! I guess this is a fun typo! "The Mojave Desert facility" (which refers to the Mojave Air & Space Port) sounds a little less sweet but more accurate.
"...the Mojave Dessert facility..."
This sounds awesome! Chocolate at Mojave?
Oops! I guess this is a fun typo! "The Mojave Desert facility" (which refers to the Mojave Air & Space Port) sounds a little less sweet but more accurate.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Criminal Sentence 647: Typo on Street Sign
Let's all move to New Zealand so we can see this exciting street sign!
http://news.yahoo.com/video/city-makes-embarrassing-typo-street-230018873.html
http://news.yahoo.com/video/city-makes-embarrassing-typo-street-230018873.html
Friday, May 3, 2013
Criminal Sentence 646: A Man or a Spread of Food?
From today's business section:
"Buffet joins Twitter: Billionaire Warren Buffett..."
Will this Twitter feed provide all-you-can-eat news?
"Buffet joins Twitter: Billionaire Warren Buffett..."
Will this Twitter feed provide all-you-can-eat news?
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