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Greatmilinko8451 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
'rule' from The Elements of Style
Here is an excerpt that from The Elements of Style.
“A subject of a sentence and the principal verb should not, as a rule, be separated by a phrase or clause that can be transferred to the beginning.”
At first this “rule” seemed fine, but then I started noticing how many good authors don’t consider this rule a rule. What are your thoughts?
For example, “The machine, big and loud, fired up.”
“A subject of a sentence and the principal verb should not, as a rule, be separated by a phrase or clause that can be transferred to the beginning.”
At first this “rule” seemed fine, but then I started noticing how many good authors don’t consider this rule a rule. What are your thoughts?
For example, “The machine, big and loud, fired up.”
Top answer
Hi, As I think you know, such 'rules' are more like suggestions, or guidelines. 'Good style' is a rather subjective thing, eg What is the writer's main goal? Clarity, originality, beauty of language?
- Hi, As I think you know, such 'rules' are more like suggestions, or guidelines.
- 'Good style' is a rather subjective thing, eg What is the writer's main goal?
- Clarity, originality, beauty of language?
- Clive
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1 Answers
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Hi,
As I think you know, such 'rules' are more like suggestions, or guidelines.
'Good style' is a rather subjective thing, eg What is the writer's main goal? Clarity, originality, beauty of language?
Clive
As I think you know, such 'rules' are more like suggestions, or guidelines.
'Good style' is a rather subjective thing, eg What is the writer's main goal? Clarity, originality, beauty of language?
Clive
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