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Questions tagged [writing-style]

Questions about the writing style of a particular sentence, phrase or construction in English. Questions asking for advice on writing style are off-topic.

The style of a sentence, phrase, or construction, is its general expression of meaning as a whole, apart from the actual categorical meaning of the constituent words.

Use this tag for questions asking about the style of a particular sentence, phrase, or construction.

1107 questions
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Did I "get" (or "take") my degree "from" (or "in") the University of Somewhere?

I would like to know what is the preferred way to indicate that I took a degree in some subject while also naming the place where I obtained the degree from: I got my master's degree from the University of Somewhere; I got my master's degree in the…
DotNetStudent
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16
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4 answers

Heavy usage of synonyms in English or not?

I am a native German speaker and in German it is considered very bad style to use a word more than once in a sentence or even in close proximity. So you usually have a big list of synonyms in your head and you always cycle though these words while…
Plankalkül
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12
votes
1 answer

What is wrong with using e.g.?

I am currently using devd/Academic-Writing-Check for my master thesis in computer science. One thing it complains about is the usage of e.g.. What is wrong with that? For example, I wrote: 1. In the case of many classes (e.g. 1000~classes of…
Martin Thoma
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9
votes
2 answers

Usage of file extensions as nouns and verbs

What are the rules for style regarding the use of file extensions as nouns and verbs? Are file extensions to be capitalised (e.g. PDF file, JPG image or pdf file, jpg image)? What about making them into verbs? Often in my line of work I will say…
J-P-L
  • 129
8
votes
1 answer

What is the difference between "I work in a project" vs "I work on a project"?

Possible Duplicate: Preposition usage: on, in, and at I guess the difference is that when you say "I work on a project", it shows that your are the owner of the project, whereas "in a project" shows that you are the member of a project. Is my…
drabiv
  • 299
8
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2 answers

'The fact that' versus just 'That'

Recently, I started using just 'That' instead of 'The fact that' at the beginning of some sentences. What is your opinion on this? Example: The fact that he answered the question wrong shows... That he answered the question wrong shows ... What…
Markus H
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7
votes
5 answers

What is this tutorial style called? "Now you're going to do x."

When someone (typically from the USA) is making a tutorial video and they say: "Now you're going to go to the home screen and you're going to press X. Now you're going to click the white button and then you're going to want to choose the option for…
goodie
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7
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2 answers

When should a colon be used in the title of a manuscript?

I’m sure you have seen several papers with a colon in its title, e.g., this example I just made up: Traffic control in a network: a new method towards X. I’m wondering if this way of titling is recommended and what is the correct way of using…
user3327426
6
votes
2 answers

Strunk and White and The Elements of Style: Removing "the fact that"

According to the Elements of Style, Rule 17, "the fact that" should be edited out of every sentence. Here's one I'm working on: "The fact that standard software cannot fit it highlights a crucial computational bottleneck." I can rewrite it…
Xward
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5
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1 answer

Usage of sobriquets in formal (philosophical) writing

I translate a lot of philosophical articles from Spanish to English. One of the quirks of Spanish academic writing is its use of sobriquets (i.e. nicknames) for philosophers and other thinkers, in order to avoid constantly repeating…
Innanzitutto
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5
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2 answers

Emphasising that a date is near

What is a good way to emphasise that a particular date is near or coming very close? For example, suppose today is the 22 of May and there is the submission date for a project is on the 25 of May. I could just say: As the deadline of the submission…
xenon
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4
votes
2 answers

Name of the phenomenon where characters of a story don't realize something obvious?

I was wondering whether there is a name for the phenomenon or style where characters don't realize something obvious. This is a style that if often employed in a lot of series, novels, and movies, often (but not always) for a humorous effect. For…
Ruben
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3
votes
2 answers

Capitalization in a series

I think this is purely a style preference, but I want to confirm (and settle a debate amongst colleagues). In general, is it better to use: Antioch, Oberlin, and Boston Colleges. -or- Antioch, Oberlin, and Boston colleges. On another forum, I found…
Krissie
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3
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1 answer

Are there any cases where "out of" is dead wrong or sounds awkward?

The question about "he looked out the window" vs. "he looked out of the window" has already been asked and answered satisfactorily: apparently it's a matter of taste and de gustibus non est disputandum. Now English is admirably flexible but it…
user218421
3
votes
1 answer

What tense do I use in a child's obituary?

I work at a funeral home and need assistance on an obit for an 11 year old girl who died from a 4‑wheeler accident. My question is can I use the present tense in referring to her and what she did, sports etc. I did not want the past tense to cause…
Sally
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