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Grammatically Correct: The writer's essential guide to punctuation ...

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GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT<br />

WORD IT AS: We asked all participants <strong>to</strong> speak openly about their<br />

feelings.<br />

This strategy is very popular and often works smoothly and unobtrusively,<br />

but should be avoided if the plural sounds contrived or<br />

unlikely. <strong>The</strong>re are many cases where a plural rather than a singular<br />

noun simply would not convey the same sense, particularly if you<br />

wish <strong>to</strong> emphasize the individuality of the actions under discussion.<br />

Bear in mind the caution about your words coming through as<br />

"general and diffuse." And, as discussed previously, don't try <strong>to</strong> get<br />

around the issue by using they as a singular pronoun.<br />

USING THE INDEFINITE PRONOUN ONE<br />

In some circumstances, one can substitute one for he. (This pronoun<br />

is also sometimes used as a substitute for the first or second person,<br />

as discussed on page 258.) Use of this pronoun usually carries an<br />

implication that the writer and reader belong <strong>to</strong> the same group or<br />

share some relevant characteristic or interest; in a sense, it conveys<br />

the idea of "you or I." For example, as a writer, one could work it<br />

in<strong>to</strong> a book addressing other writers. (Is one making oneself clear?)<br />

Thus, for instance, in an article aimed at physicians,<br />

INSTEAD OF: Clinical judgment involves the physician making use of<br />

his experience, as well as his knowledge of the particular patient.<br />

WORD IT AS: Clinical judgment involves making use of one's experience,<br />

as well as one's knowledge of the particular patient.<br />

This approach is usually inappropriate if the intended readers<br />

would not be able <strong>to</strong> relate <strong>to</strong> the group or activity under discussion.<br />

Also, overuse of "one" can make your writing sound a bit stuffy.<br />

USING THE SECOND PERSON<br />

In certain types of writing, you can use you in order <strong>to</strong> avoid the<br />

third person-as here. This form is appropriate for genres that<br />

address the reader directly, such as instruction manuals. For<br />

example:<br />

300<br />

INSTEAD OF: <strong>The</strong> reader should familiarize himself with these terms<br />

before proceeding.<br />

WORD IT AS: Familiarize yourself with these terms before proceeding.

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