The Elements of Style quotes
The lines readers remember from The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr..
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Standout lines
Man proposes, God disposes.
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Two exceptions to the rule may be admitted. If the clauses are very short, and are alike in form, a comma is usually permissible:
Man proposes, God disposes.
The gate swung apart, the bridge fell, the portcullis was drawn up.
Sentences violating this rule are often ludicrous.
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Without a friend to counsel him, he found the temptation irresistible.
Sentences violating this rule are often ludicrous.
Being in a dilapidated condition, I was able to buy the house very cheap.
The habitual use of the active voice makes for forcible writing.
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Compare the sentence, “The export of gold was prohibited,” in which the predicate “was prohibited” expresses something not implied in “export.”
The habitual use of the active voice makes for forcible writing.
This is true not only in narrative principally concerned with action, but in writing of any kind.
Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.
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The sun never sets upon the British flag.
Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.
A period of unfavorable weather set in.
It rained every day for a week.
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A period of unfavorable weather set in.
It rained every day for a week.
He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his well-earned reward.
Instead of announcing that what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so.
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Interesting. Avoid this word as a perfunctory means of introduction.
Instead of announcing that what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so.
An interesting story is told of
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- 5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma.
- 7. A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject.
- 10. Use the active voice.
- 11. Put statements in positive form.
- 12. Use definite, specific, concrete language.
- 13. Omit needless words.
- V. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED
5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma.
Man proposes, God disposes.
Show the passage
Two exceptions to the rule may be admitted. If the clauses are very short, and are alike in form, a comma is usually permissible:
Man proposes, God disposes.
The gate swung apart, the bridge fell, the portcullis was drawn up.
7. A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject.
Sentences violating this rule are often ludicrous.
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Without a friend to counsel him, he found the temptation irresistible.
Sentences violating this rule are often ludicrous.
Being in a dilapidated condition, I was able to buy the house very cheap.
Wondering irresolutely what to do next, the clock struck twelve.
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Being in a dilapidated condition, I was able to buy the house very cheap.
Wondering irresolutely what to do next, the clock struck twelve.
If the subject on which you are writing is of slight extent, or if you intend to treat it very briefly, there may be no need of subdividing it into topics.
10. Use the active voice.
The habitual use of the active voice makes for forcible writing.
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Compare the sentence, “The export of gold was prohibited,” in which the predicate “was prohibited” expresses something not implied in “export.”
The habitual use of the active voice makes for forcible writing.
This is true not only in narrative principally concerned with action, but in writing of any kind.
Dead leaves covered the ground.
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There were a great number of dead leaves lying on the ground.
Dead leaves covered the ground.
The sound of a guitar somewhere in the house could be heard.
Somewhere in the house a guitar hummed sleepily.
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The sound of a guitar somewhere in the house could be heard.
Somewhere in the house a guitar hummed sleepily.
The reason that he left college was that his health became impaired.
11. Put statements in positive form.
Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language.
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He soon repented his words.
Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language.
Use the word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion.
12. Use definite, specific, concrete language.
Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.
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The sun never sets upon the British flag.
Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.
A period of unfavorable weather set in.
It rained every day for a week.
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A period of unfavorable weather set in.
It rained every day for a week.
He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his well-earned reward.
He grinned as he pocketed the coin.
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He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his well-earned reward.
He grinned as he pocketed the coin.
There is a general agreement among those who have enjoyed the experience that surf-riding is productive of great exhilaration.
13. Omit needless words.
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.
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In proportion as men delight in battles, bull-fights, and combats of gladiators, will they punish by hanging, burning, and the rack.
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.
This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that he make every word tell.
V. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED
Instead of announcing that what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so.
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Interesting. Avoid this word as a perfunctory means of introduction.
Instead of announcing that what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so.
An interesting story is told of
Thanking You in Advance. This sounds as if the writer meant, “It will not be worth my while to write to you again.”
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Dayton has adopted government by commission.
Thanking You in Advance. This sounds as if the writer meant, “It will not be worth my while to write to you again.”
In making your request, write, “Will you please,” or “I shall be obliged,” and if anything further seems necessary write a letter of acknowledgment later.
Use this word sparingly. Where emphasis is necessary, use words strong in themselves.
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Very.
Use this word sparingly. Where emphasis is necessary, use words strong in themselves.
Viewpoint. Write point of view, but do not misuse this, as many do, for view or opinion.
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