Choose the correct pronoun in elliptical sentences.

An elliptical sentence is a sentence that leaves out implied words. For example, if I am writing about two boys, I can write “The two left school early.” The word “boys” is implied and not written.

Generally, this doesn’t cause problems. It gets tricky when using elliptical sentences making a comparison that end in pronouns. Consider these two sentences with very different meanings.

“Sue likes cake more than I.”
“Sue likes cake more than me.”

Both sentences are grammatically correct. Depending on your meaning, you will choose one or the other. Here’s how you decide.

“I” is a subject pronoun, which means that it needs a verb. The verb is not here. Given the context of the sentence, the implied action is “like cake.” “Sue likes cake more than I (like cake).” This works for other subject pronouns, too.

“Me” is an object pronoun, which means that it is the recipient of an action. The implied action here is “like.” “Sue likes cake more than (she likes) me.” This works for other object pronouns, too.

Here’s the point. When choosing the correct pronoun for this type of sentence, consider what words you are implying, and then choose a subject pronoun or object pronoun to match the implied words.

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This is the strategy for day 294 in 300 Days of Better Writing, available at Hostile Editing in PDF, Kindle, and paperback formats.

For a sample of 300 Days of Better Writing and other books by Precise Edit, download the free ebook.

Use his and her to avoid subject-pronoun number errors.

Consider this sentence:

“Each person must write their own autobiography.”

Do you see the problem here? “Each” refers to one person, but “their” refers to more than one person.

Some writers intentionally make this common mistake to avoid the correct his (which sounds sexist) or the cumbersome his and her. Most make this mistake unconsciously. Consider this incorrect sentence:

“Any professional writer will edit their own documents.”

This has the same problem as the first example. If the subject is singular, our preference is to use his and her or its similar expressions: he and she, his and hers, him and her, etc.

While these phrases are correct, they can make sentences sound redundant. Consider this sentence.

“Each team member took his or her uniform to his or her mother to clean for him or her.”

The better option is to find the antecedent for the pronoun and make it plural. In this way, we revise the previous example as,

“The team members took their uniforms to their mothers to clean for them.”

If the antecedent of the pronoun needs to remain singular, use the correct version of his or her.

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This is the strategy for day 23 in 300 Days of Better Writing, available at Hostile Editing in PDF, Kindle, and paperback formats.

For a sample of 300 Days of Better Writing and other books by Precise Edit, download the free ebook.

Guidelines for 1-Sentence Paragraphs

Many writers struggle with paragraph length. Is it long enough? Is it too short? How many sentences in a paragraph? Can a paragraph be just one sentence? Here are four “days” of advice about paragraph length from 300 Days of Better Writing, with an emphasis on the one-sentence paragraph.

Day 88: A one-sentence paragraph should present a complete idea.

Paragraphs can be written many ways. In nonfiction documents, a paragraph may first establish context, provide supporting details, and conclude with an impact statement that leads to the next idea.

In fiction or narrative documents, for another example, a paragraph may show a single action or provide a character’s immediate response to an experience. Some writers use long paragraphs to fully explore an idea, while others may prefer short, terse paragraphs.

In all cases, however, the purpose of a paragraph is to present one idea to the reader. The complexity of the idea and the reader’s need for explanation determine paragraph length. A careful writer will balance the reader’s need with his or her style preferences.

This brings us to a question I have been asked occasionally. How many sentences should be in a paragraph? The answer I give is based on the “one idea per paragraph” concept: at least one.

If the preceding paragraphs have provided sufficient information for the reader to understand the idea, and if the connections between the ideas are clear, and if the value and implications of the idea will be obvious to the reader, one sentence may be sufficient. 

Day 161: Use a 1-sentence paragraph to emphasize a critical idea.

Every paragraph discusses one and only one idea. In most cases, a paragraph will have 3 to 7 sentences. However, you can use a 1-sentence paragraph that satisfies the requirements for an effective paragraph. If the reader already understands the context, and if the idea is self-explanatory and does not require discussion, your paragraph may only need the final impact statement.

The 1-sentence paragraph only contains an impact statement.

Unlike paragraphs with multiple sentences, a one-sentence paragraph places heavy emphasis on the idea. It is a high-impact tool for telling the reader, “This is very important.”

Few ideas require this level of emphasis. Used sparingly, one-sentence paragraphs can be very effective for pointing out critical ideas or keeping the reader mentally focused on the content.

On the other hand, a document with too many one-sentence paragraphs loses this effect. The writer who uses too many, or uses them too close together, is telling the reader that many of the ideas are very important. As a result, he or she loses the ability to point out specific ideas as being the most important.

Parallelism in Series

Day 128: Items in a series need to  be structurally parallel.

Items in a series may be single words, phrases, clauses, or, even, entire sentences. These need to be written with a parallel, or same, grammatical structure. For example, all the items need to be adjectives, or all the items need to start with a present tense verb.

This is important for two reasons.

First, it is correct. If you have different types of items in a series, the sentence is incorrect. This type of error is called, appropriately enough, a parallelism problem. Readers who notice the parallelism problem will discredit your authority on the topic—and your professionalism.

Second, parallel structures create a strong impact on the reader. If you have different types of items, you will damage the impact of the statement, potentially resulting in the opposite effect—the loss of professional credibility.

Let’s look at several examples of non-parallel structures and possible revisions.

Wrong: “The expected results are impact, credibility, and making a good impression.”
Right: “The expected results are impact, credibility, and a good impression.”

Wrong: “I am sure that he is guilty. I am sure that he is the culprit. And I am sure of these facts.”
Right: “I am sure that he is guilty. I am sure that he is the culprit. And I am sure that these facts are correct.”

Wrong: “A query letter should describe the contents of the book and why you think people will read it.”
Right: “A query letter should describe the contents of the book and discuss why you think people will read it.”

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This is the strategy for day 128 in 300 Days of Better Writing, available at Hostile Editing in PDF, Kindle, and paperback formats.

For a sample of 300 Days of Better Writing and other books by Precise Edit, download the free ebook.