Clemency
Even as we pick on people for their writing goofs, we acknowledge that some are deserving of a break.
Yes, we know the writer meant, “collision.” But this was frantically posted just hours after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in the middle of the night in March 2024.
Yes. “Prosecutors” (left) should not have an apostrophe. And “pouring” (below) should be poring. (You can see it quickly was fixed.)
But these reporters were having to write in real time from inside the courtroom during the Spring 2024 Donald Trump trial in New York. That should not have been necessary. New York bans cameras in court, but allows exceptions. The judge could have accommodated, via live TV, Americans’ constitutional rights to view this momentous trial. Just sayin’.
Yes, this is redundant. But this was 16 hours after the fact, and a lot of that was at night, so we’re inclined to cut some slack.
We’ve talked at length about hyperbole and redundancy. Well, sometimes you need it.
Eliot spotted these during a trip to Asia. Here’s the thing. These businesses are under absolutely no obligation to print anything in English. Anything.
Today’s rant: When you buy a new car, the dealer sticks his/her name on the frame around the license plate. You leave it on for the life of your car. Why are you giving them free advertising?
And we go to the video archives for Segment 71: Vote for me and I’ll set you free. https://youtu.be/XW10tVM79K0?si=oB2rjuREBk2ir1wK
Readers: "Something Went Horribly Wrong" features samples of bad writing we see nearly every day. You can participate! Be our duly deputized “grammar police.” Your motto: “To protect and correct.” Send in your photos of store signs, street signs, menus, TV news graphics, newspaper headlines, tweets, and so on. It doesn’t have to be a grammatical error. It can be just what we call “cowardly writing.” Include your name and home town so we can credit you properly. You're free to add a comment, although we reserve the right to edit or omit. Now get out there! Send to Eliot@eliotkleinberg.com
Haven’t signed up for our newsletter yet? Do it now! And tell your friends!
NOTE: Eliot and Lou Ann are available for speaking engagements, and can travel. Reach us through the comments section. Just think of all of your employees getting back to work on a Monday, their heads filled with all the ways we’ve shown them to be better communicators!
0 Likes