“English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment, and education—sometimes it’s sheer luck, like getting across the street.”
– E.B. White, an American writer
Before we get into the actual details of today’s topic, allow us to first ask you a question:
Which between these two sentences would you choose to write if you want readers to think you write clearly?
- Lack of media support was the cause of our election loss.
- We lost the election because the media did not support us.
Probably, many of you would choose number 2.
Why?
Is it because it’s written in the active voice?
Well, a lot of you might state that as a reason, but aside from that, another reason could be that sentence number 2 was written in a more conventional way.
Let’s get into that in detail…
Understanding Correctness
To be honest, both sentences above are acceptable in different contexts. However, what made sentence number 2 stand out was that it was more in line with “standard” English usage.
In fact, according to Joseph Bizup and Joseph M. Williams in the book, “Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace,” in this case, it’s not so much about clarity but about correctness.
In their words:
“Unlike clarity, though, correctness seems a matter not of choice, but of obedience. That lack of choice does seem to simplify things: ‘Correctness’ requires not sound judgment but only a good memory. If we remember, say, that ‘irregardless’ is always wrong, we have nothing to choose.”
Think about this: Some teachers and editors think you should memorize dozens of rules…
- Never begin a sentence with “and” or “but”
- Never use double negatives
- Never split infinitives
… but here’s the thing: Bizup and Williams say the truth is more complicated. Some rules are real—if you ignore them, you risk being labeled at least unschooled.
However, many often-repeated rules are less important, and some are not even real rules. If you obsess over them all, Bizup and Williams say you’ll prevent yourself from writing quickly and clearly.
That’s why for these book authors, “correctness” is an important aspect of writing that writers of all kinds must address.
The Authority of Grammar Rules
Opinion is split on the social role of grammar rules.
To some, they are just another device that the “Ins” use to control the “Outs” by stigmatizing their language and suppressing their social and political aspirations.
To others, the rules of Standard English have been so refined by generations of educated speakers and writers that they must be observed by all the best writers of English.
For Bizup and Williams, both views are correct, partly.
For centuries, those governing the society’s affairs have used grammatical “errors” to screen out those unwilling or unable to acquire the habits of the schooled middle class.
However, Bizup and Williams believe that critics are wrong to claim that those rules were devised for that end. After all, standard forms of a language originate in accidents of geography and economic power.
So, when a language has different regional dialects, that of the most powerful speakers usually becomes the most prestigious and the basis for a nation’s “correct” writing.
Imagine this: If Edinburgh rather than London had become the center of Britain’s economic, political, and literary life, then people would speak and write less like Shakespeare and more like Scottish poet Bobby Burns.
Meanwhile, Bizup and Williams agree that the Conservatives are right that many rules of standard English nowadays originated for the purpose of efficient expression.
However, this group is wrong when they claim that standard English has been refined by the logic of educated speakers and writers, and so must be socially and morally superior to the debased language of its alleged inferiors.
Besides, according to Bizup and Williams, these corrosive social attitudes about “correctness” have been encouraged by generations of grammarians who, in their zeal to codify “good” English, have confused three kinds of “rules.”
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Real Rules
Real rules define what makes English, english. Speakers born into English don’t think about these rules at all when they write, and violate them only when they are tired or distracted.
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Social Rules
Social rules distinguish Standard English from the nonstandard. Schooled writers observe these rules as naturally as they observe the real rules and think about them only when they notice others violating them. The only writers who self-consciously try to follow these rules are those not born into Standard English and are striving to rise into the educated class.
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Invented Rules
Some grammarians have invented a handful of rules that they think everyone should observe. These are rules that the grammar police love to enforce and that too many educated writers obsess over.
See?
According to Bizup and Williams, for 250 years, grammarians have accused the best writers of violating rules like these, and for 250 years, the best writers have ignored them.
The silver lining here?
We are actually lucky that that’s what happened between the grammarians and the best writers, because think about this:
If writers obeyed all the rules, grammarians would have to keep inventing new ones—which would make it harder for us to write or speak using the standard English, or find another line of work.
The truth is, none of these invented rules reflects the unself-conscious usage of the best writers.
The bottom line?
It’s important to abide by the rules of English writing, BUT DON’T get too obsessed with “correctness,” as it is relative based on context, social norm, authority, etc.
We’re not saying it’s okay to have grammatical “errors” in your text; what we’re simply saying is that eventually, you’ll have to make peace with the fact that you won’t be correct in your writing all the time.
However, as long as you deliver your message with clarity, you would still be okay.
… because in the end, it’s still clarity > correctness.
Hope you learned something new from today’s article!
About The Dynamic Marketing Communiqué’s
“Wednesdays: Write with the Pen of the Masters”
Who doesn’t find content writing to be a skill that requires a lot of practice and effort?
In fact, many people may even find copywriting very intimidating.
However, you can be a good writer as long as you have the right tools. You won’t always get things right the first time, but with enough time and practice, you’ll get the hang of it!
When you write copy for any brand or for your company, your aim is to make an impact and…
… to get people to remember.
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… and when you get your content to deliver the results you want, THAT is great copy!
Every Wednesday, we publish content based on tips and insights from the masters of content writing, copywriting, and storytelling.
Become more familiar with ways to write great copy that helps you gain ROI from your efforts, drive profitability, and achieve your business goals.
Learn time-tested tactics that better capture the attention of your target audience, and maximize the benefits of great copywriting.
Hope you find this week’s insights interesting and helpful.
Stay tuned for next Wednesday’s “Write with the Pen of the Masters!”
Cheers,
Dyane Diasanta
Senior Content Writer
Valens Dynamic Marketing Capabilities
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