Questions tagged [editing]
The editing tag has no usage guidance.
44
questions
0
votes
2
answers
101
views
Do I need the comma in "it is in short...everthing"? [duplicate]
The intended meaning is that 'it', described simply, is 'everything'.
Would I write:
It is in short...everything.
Or:
It is, in short...everthing.
Instinctively, I believe that a comma is needed ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
34
views
My question is about lists of words in a sentence
I came across an example of a translator position description, and I got confused about the meaning of the word "Research". Is this word related to the word "copy" or is it ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
50
views
How would you punctuate a question with an explanatory sentence?
I'm trying to write an article, but I am confused about how to punctuate this question:
How about a birthday gift? A little something to show you care.
Should it rather be punctuated with an em-dash ...
0
votes
0
answers
38
views
Is the use of a comma appropriate here, and can there be a clause after a comma without a subject?
I am sure that this is very simple, but apparently it is not for me. Hopefully someone can help.
i am proofing a book in CMOS. Often the writer extends a sentence by using a comma before a second ...
0
votes
1
answer
233
views
Initials as Title Abbreviations: Should I Format Them as Titles?
I am the webmaster/editor/curator for a website/e-magazine focussing on a game system. Reviews of scenarios published for the game system are a regular feature, and it’s frequently the case that a ...
- 6,746
0
votes
1
answer
60
views
Comma or Colon?
I am a bit confused as to whether I should use a comma or a colon for the following sentence:
Art quickly became a world where I could trust my abilities, a world where I can share my emotions and ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
“Keep watch for”
Is the following sentence correct?
Hotel staff must diligently keep watch for durians because...
I am not sure whether to use “keep watch for” or “keep watch on” or any other phrase. Could anyone ...
- 107
0
votes
2
answers
51
views
What would be the correct formatting or rewording of the onomatopoeia "crunch-crunched"?
I am editing a historical fiction novel, and this clause has come up.
As the Model T's wheels crunch-crunched their way up the gravel driveway...
Is this clause grammatically correct? Should I use ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
134
views
English possessive for a name that ends in an apostrophe (in this case, in transliterated Ukrainian)?
I am an editor editing a book review, and I'm not sure how to deal with this:
Serhii Bilokin’’s book
The author has chosen to transliterate with the apostrophe at the end of the name, but it looks ...
- 31
0
votes
1
answer
108
views
How to divide words with silent consonants?
I wonder how to divide words such as 'assumption' at the end of line, when a consonant (in this case 'p') in the middle of the word is silent (/əˈsʌmʃən/).
Which syllable (and line) does the "p" ...
- 367
0
votes
3
answers
159
views
Why is this considered a sentence fragment? Please help
A reward and punishment system to help enforce safety equipment use.
The sentence above was kicked back to me as a sentence fragment. I feel it is a sentence. If this is a sentence fragment, can ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
36
views
Proper use of comma in a sentence
I would like to know if this sentence is right – or are there too many commas?
His father, Sandul, clad in his brown loose-fitting, collarless,
ankle-length traditional jalabiya walked through ...
Alex
2
votes
1
answer
167
views
"Even more worth reading" v "worth reading even more"
A Meta.SE post was recently edited (by an ELU member I respect), with the reason "grammar":
Before:
resigned: Aza on Literature, worth reading, predates other events;
later wrote an update ...
- 21.4k
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
We walked vs we would walk [duplicate]
I'm writing about a past event and I'm unsure which sentence is technically correct.
We walked on the beach
or
We would walk on the beach.
I'm aiming for less is best in my writing without ...
user306413
7
votes
4
answers
4k
views
What does an ellipsis followed by an exclamation mean?
I'm confused about how to use "...!" in writing. Currently, I'm writing a fiction story with a character who has been critically injured. I got this question while typing out this:
"I won't die yet....
- 103
0
votes
1
answer
58
views
help: punctuating a long list containing abbreviations [closed]
any suggestions for the following list:
"such as: joiner, Hollaender swivel T, Hollaender horizontal flat plate, jr. end piece, Hollaender split cross, flange base, [Matthews] Big Ben, speedrail ear, ...
0
votes
1
answer
772
views
Is the usage of 'of course' correct in this sentence?
Is the usage of of course correct in this sentence? Is it the right context?
After 60 blissful years, even today, all the school memories are
still vivid and heartwarming. Of course, happy ...
- 373
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to rephrase in third person? [closed]
How can I phrase this in the third person? (Maybe one word for the person preforming the task)
You and probably everyone else know it's there but everyone chooses to overlook it because it has been ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
116
views
What is the proper way to add or correct a word in another person's quote? [duplicate]
I am trying to add a missing word in another person's quote. What is the proper way to do this?
- 11
3
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is there an official symbol for repetition in a table
In one of the tables of a paper, I used a hyphen to indicate the repetition of the value in a cell into the one below.
Here is an (ugly) example:
╭────────╥────────────┬─────────────────────╮
│ ...
- 63
6
votes
3
answers
180
views
Is there a word that describes when an editor sends some copy back to be altered?
In a publishing context, if a writer submits some copy (eg. an article) to an editor and the editor sends it back to be amended in some way, is there a word to describe that? Not 'reject' but ...
- 786
0
votes
1
answer
70
views
Use of & in Footnote editing [closed]
If the intent is to reduce the # of characters in footnotes/endnotes (using the Chicago/Turabian style), would it be proper to replace "and" with "&"? For example, "ed. & trans," pages "4, 7, &...
1
vote
2
answers
248
views
Revising a Sentence for Brevity while Maintaining Eloquence
I am working on an article / story about legal cannabis in Colorado, and I have written this sentence regarding the smell upon entering a large, industrial grow room:
The only way I know how to ...
- 1,340
1
vote
1
answer
226
views
What is Copy-Editing?
I know that proof readingis when someone read an article over and over again to fix grammar mistake(s) and or spelling error(s). But I am somehow confused that what the difference is with copy-editing?...
- 320
2
votes
1
answer
791
views
What is the word for an inline editor's comment?
What is the word for an inline editor's comment? As an example, I was reading a particular software product's online documentation (more of a wiki) and I was surprised to find that there were certain ...
- 1,238
1
vote
1
answer
9k
views
This is right. Or that is right? [duplicate]
Opinions sought. I vaguely remember that the expression "This is right" (meaning "I agree with what you just said") appeared in the 1970s. And I remember it because, if I remember correctly, it ...
- 153
1
vote
2
answers
172
views
What phrase can I use to describe connected concepts
I am searching for a more sophisticated phrase that would express a specific connection between items mentioned in my paper. I wish to explain that the connection is not like a vertical line but more ...
charlie48
6
votes
2
answers
592
views
What is the editing term for a section of text in a translation which was already in the target language and therefore has not been translated?
I'm wondering if a Latin or special editing term exists for texts which was already in the target language in the original, and therefore has just been copied over onto the translation.
The ...
- 219
2
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Consistent & accepted style(s) for hyphenating a shade of color used as an adjective for hair?
I'm helping edit a friend's book. Generally, I'm confident with my edits, yet one thing keeps nagging me. I'd appreciate expert guidance.
In the book, some characters have shades of brown hair, e.g.:
...
- 121
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
In the phrase "Throughout time, people have always had the desire to look more beautiful and fashionable", can the word "have" be removed?
Yes or no, and why?
(This is an exam question.)
- 21
1
vote
3
answers
10k
views
Alternatives for "similar to other studies"
When you want to compare the results of a research to other studies, you can use
Similar to other studies, the current study indicates that ...
What are other alternatives for 'Similar to other ...
- 159
1
vote
1
answer
222
views
that had -> having?
I want to make this sentence shorter:
Also, items that had poor parameter estimates were removed from the analysis.
Is it correct to turn that had into having?
Also, items having poor parameter ...
- 159
3
votes
2
answers
4k
views
In publishing, what does the acronym "P/U" or "PU" mean?
I have come across this acronym in reference to a project I have been given to revise. Usually it is in a context such as "PU and modify."
- 267
19
votes
6
answers
32k
views
What is the opposite word to "indent"—"outdent" or "unindent"?
I'm looking for the opposite word to "indent." Is it "outdent", or is it "unindent"?
Corresponding to "Tab" and "Shift Tab" in most editors.
- 341
2
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What is the correct name for this particular unclear-subject error?
An example: the sentence
"Upon finishing these books, I think the reader has a new perspective on history."
Taken literally, it could mean that "I, upon finishing these books, think..." Or it ...
- 153
15
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Whence “emphasis mine”?
Writers often highlight part of a quotation to emphasize the point they're making. They use a variety of phrases to indicate that the emphasis did not appear in the original text. In order of current ...
- 15.3k
4
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Cleaning up / formatting verbatim quotations
Frequently, I have situations where I am in need of the ability to quote an individual who has written something verbatim that has some type of grammatical error. Although I would like to write it ...
0
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Rephrasing a Run-on Sentence
I am having trouble phrasing some of my thoughts into a decent sounding sentence. I particularly do not like the use of and twice: I believe this may make the sentence a run-on. Also in previous ...
- 113
1
vote
3
answers
729
views
Quoting poor English in a news article? I don't often see "[sic]"
I don't stumble upon "[sic]" as I read newspapers. I think it's safe to assume that plenty of those who are quoted in articles have botched their grammar more often than not. Here's what I'm asking:
...
- 293
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Can “along with” be used to mean “as a consequence of”?
I have this sentence:
Along with something (cause), something else (effect) happened.
From text books I know that parts that are connected by “along with” should be in the same form and in the ...
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How to indicate "Our remark"?
I have a sentence:
Before the Greeks, the ancient Egyptians used it (Golden Section - remark is ours) in the construction of their great pyramids.
In that sentence the words "Golden Section" was ...
- 733
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Syntax for marking incorrect examples of language
I have noticed various marks in example sentences to denote incorrect examples of English:
This is correct.
*This incorrectly.
The former is left alone; the latter has an asterisk marking the ...
- 35.6k
4
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Can you use "(sic)" in other contexts?
In Polish you can use sic to indicate not only erroneous spelling (uncorrected for editorial reasons), but also to note that the sentence should be as it is when it comes to its meaning (e.g. "The ...
user6200
24
votes
4
answers
70k
views
Should I fix typos/grammatical errors in quotation?
When writing papers, I meet typos/grammatical errors in quotations now and then. Should I correct them, or leave them as they are?
user3812