'I Made a Concerted Effort': Only Possible If I Have Multiple Personality Disorder
A quick copy-editing tip I had forgotten about until I stumbled across it very recently.
A "concerted effort" is often misused to mean a determined or strenuous effort.
Actually, most reference guides say a concerted effort means one made in concert -- by multiple participants. So there's no "He made a concerted effort" though there can be a "They made a concerted effort."
That's alls I gots for today.
Keywords:
About June
June Casagrande was born in March and lives in a small house. She wrote a grammar/humor book called "Mortal Syntax" and, before that, one called "Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies." She sincerely hopes you buy a million copies of each.
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Causes June Casagrande Supports
Planned Parenthood, ClimateCrisis.net, the Richard Dawkins Foundation, Pet Orphans of Southern California, KIVA
We thank you for this information
We will take note of this when we write our next novel.
We thank you!
Eric and the voices in my head
: )
... you're bringing back memories of "Sybil."
Dear Sybil
Was this your concerted effort?
Yes. No.
I did it. She did it. We did it. Shut up. But I didn't say anything. Yes you did. I heard you. Shhh! They'll hear us.
Everybody: into the closet!
Thanks!
An excellent tip to keep in mind when making a concentrated effort to write something.
(Not fer nuthin', but it's grammar tips like this one that make my nose bleed. My doctor says it's not the grammar tip itself, but the fact that I like to interrupt perfect strangers on the Metro to correct them as they speak. I think my doctor is a very smart person. And no I don't.)
That's it!
A "concentrated effort." That's where the confusion comes from! I hadn't connected those dots, so thank you.
And regarding picking on others' usage: Ever hear of a book called "Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies"?
: )