The Associated Press dictates much of why and how we do what we do in the world of newspaper writing. For example, we spell out numbers one through nine, and we use numerals for those greater than 10.
Except of course, when referring to the 3-year-old girl or when making reference to times and dates.
It's the sort of thing that prompts elaborate discussion among word people, but it can be confusing and maddening for those who are simply trying to construct a professional business correspondence.
To help, the Wordos have come up with handy list of "Right Word Ð Wrong Word," for easy reference for all writers.
Wordos are a group of retired people, teachers of English and other who love Mother English.
"Right Word-Wrong Word" is a condensation of material from the Wordos' book "92 abuses of English that drive curmudgeons crazy."
Following are few entries from their list:
Free gift is redundant. All gifts are free. Just call it a gift.
If I were, not If I was.
Impact is a noun. Don't use it as a verb.
Irregardless: No! it's regardless.
Sight Ð Site Ð Cite: Sight is vision, site is location and cite is to quote an authority.
Afterward Ð not afterwards.
Myself Ð Me: never substitute myself for I or me. I want it for my husband and me (not for my husband and myself).
More important Ð not more importantly.
Pronouns Ð For you and me (not for you and I), This is she (not this is her), between you and me (not between you and I).
Anxious - Eager Ð Anxious implies extreme uneasiness of mind. Eager implies a strong interest or enthusiasm. Children are not anxious to see Santa. They are eager.
Lie Ð Lay: Lie is to rest, to lie down. Lay is to place or put.
Less Ð fewer: Plural nouns take fewer. 10 items or fewer. Less land, less money, but fewer dollars.
Farther Ð Further: Farther refers to physical distance. Further causes, careers and everything else.
Through wind, rain or hail... or bouts of forgetfulness.
If deafening thunder and blinding lightening weren't enough to keep us awake Monday night, our six-year-old toothless wonder was.
Before he went to bed that night, we discussed the local forecast with regard to how it might affect an anticipated visit by the Tooth Fairy.
We all the know the Tooth Fairy has magical powers, but she let him down the previous night and his faith in her was a bit shaken.
He reported with a long face Monday morning that the Tooth Fairy didn't come because his envelope had slipped on the floor under his bed. (Whew! It's a good thing she didn't just forget altogether.)
The Tooth Fairy did arrive as promised by Tuesday morning. She managed to dodge all those rain drops and fly against strong wind gusts, but she couldnÕt even find a misplaced tooth the previous night.
Amazing.