Writing Tip: If Only Writers Put the Word Only Only Where It Should Go
"Susan only submitted her manuscript to three literary agencies."
"Susan submitted her manuscript to only three literary agencies."
Ever hear of a misplaced modifier? Dont worry, Ill get into those in another article. Today Im going to briefly explain one example, a pet peeve of mine and of copyeditors everywhere: the use and misuse of the word only. This is one of those grammatical rules that most people (including yours truly) dont follow in speech or in informal writing, and therefore needs editing in every single manuscript that comes across my desk, even those by the most experienced authors. Too picky, you might say--but remember: book writing isnt speech. Being picky means being a professional.
The sentences above, if you spoke them out loud, might have the same meaning to your ear. But a closer look on the page reveals that their meanings are different. The most important thing to keep in mind when writingafter, you know, stuff like spelling words correctly--is to never to confuse a reader. This doesnt mean never intentionally mislead the reader of your mystery novel or leave ambiguous the ending of your thriller. It means that the meaning you are trying to convey is never in question, not in any single sentence. If it is, readers become distracted, and youve lost them.
The first sentence in my example does not convey its intended meaning. Why? Because only is next to submitted, which is not the word it is modifying. As written, the sentence tells us that Susan did nothing but submit her manuscript to three literary agencies. She didnt submit it to publishers. She didnt enter it into writing contests. She didnt have it bound and engraved. (Dont do that, by the way, if youre planning to send it to anyone.) In fact, if were being really strict, she didnt do anything else at all. She didnt even get out of bed and brush her teeth this morning. She only submitted.
Now look at the second sentence. Aha! Now you get it. Susan submitted to only three literary agencies. This construction leaves no room for doubt. And it emphasizes more strongly the sentences significance: that she didnt submit her manuscript to very many agencies. This simple rearrangement of words eliminates ambiguity and improves clarity and specificity--so why not go through your manuscript right now, do a global search for the word only, and make sure its used properly?
The proper placement of the word is not always this clear-cut, and there may be instances where moving it makes your sentence read awkwardly. As always, use your judgment and tailor this tip to your own work. But if you ever see that clarity is in doubt, this is an easy way to eliminate that doubt and make your writing that much more professional.
Lisa Silverman is a freelance book editor and works in the copyediting department at one of New York's most prestigious literary publishing houses. She has also worked as a ghostwriter and a literary agent representing both book authors and screenwriters. She founded http://www.BeYourOwnEditor.com in order to provide writers with free advice on both writing and the publishing business.Albano Blog19953
Alisa Blog92456
"Susan submitted her manuscript to only three literary agencies."
Ever hear of a misplaced modifier? Dont worry, Ill get into those in another article. Today Im going to briefly explain one example, a pet peeve of mine and of copyeditors everywhere: the use and misuse of the word only. This is one of those grammatical rules that most people (including yours truly) dont follow in speech or in informal writing, and therefore needs editing in every single manuscript that comes across my desk, even those by the most experienced authors. Too picky, you might say--but remember: book writing isnt speech. Being picky means being a professional.
The sentences above, if you spoke them out loud, might have the same meaning to your ear. But a closer look on the page reveals that their meanings are different. The most important thing to keep in mind when writingafter, you know, stuff like spelling words correctly--is to never to confuse a reader. This doesnt mean never intentionally mislead the reader of your mystery novel or leave ambiguous the ending of your thriller. It means that the meaning you are trying to convey is never in question, not in any single sentence. If it is, readers become distracted, and youve lost them.
The first sentence in my example does not convey its intended meaning. Why? Because only is next to submitted, which is not the word it is modifying. As written, the sentence tells us that Susan did nothing but submit her manuscript to three literary agencies. She didnt submit it to publishers. She didnt enter it into writing contests. She didnt have it bound and engraved. (Dont do that, by the way, if youre planning to send it to anyone.) In fact, if were being really strict, she didnt do anything else at all. She didnt even get out of bed and brush her teeth this morning. She only submitted.
Now look at the second sentence. Aha! Now you get it. Susan submitted to only three literary agencies. This construction leaves no room for doubt. And it emphasizes more strongly the sentences significance: that she didnt submit her manuscript to very many agencies. This simple rearrangement of words eliminates ambiguity and improves clarity and specificity--so why not go through your manuscript right now, do a global search for the word only, and make sure its used properly?
The proper placement of the word is not always this clear-cut, and there may be instances where moving it makes your sentence read awkwardly. As always, use your judgment and tailor this tip to your own work. But if you ever see that clarity is in doubt, this is an easy way to eliminate that doubt and make your writing that much more professional.
Lisa Silverman is a freelance book editor and works in the copyediting department at one of New York's most prestigious literary publishing houses. She has also worked as a ghostwriter and a literary agent representing both book authors and screenwriters. She founded http://www.BeYourOwnEditor.com in order to provide writers with free advice on both writing and the publishing business.Albano Blog19953
Alisa Blog92456
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