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> A single edit with the goal of ruthlessly eliminating every unnecessary word works wonders for any first draft. "A single edit, eliminating unnecessary words
by zimpenfish 8y ago
> A single edit with the goal of ruthlessly eliminating every unnecessary word works wonders for any first draft.
"A single edit, eliminating unnecessary words, works wonders for any first draft."
It's a cheap shot (that I learned from Language Log) but if you're going to live by the sword...
- sutterbomb 8y agoEliminating unnecessary words works wonders.
- zimpenfish 8y agoNeccesary words? Wonderful!
- stordoff 8y agoI don't agree that those are unnecessary - you lose the idea of an idea, and coming back to a work later can help you identify what is unnecessary.
- EForEndeavour 8y agoWhy use many word when few word do trick?
- EdwardCoffin 8y ago> A single edit with the goal of ruthlessly eliminating every unnecessary word This phrasing makes it clear that the goal of that edit is to eliminate every unnecessary words. > A single edit, eliminating unnecessary words This phrasing implies that just one edit is needed, no particular focus, and is satisfied by eliminating some unnecessary words.
- zimpenfish 8y ago> This phrasing makes it clear that the goal of that edit is to eliminate every unnecessary words. By your own interpretation, we can get rid of "ruthlessly", no? > This phrasing implies that just one edit is needed I don't think it does, even when disconnected from the rest of the sentence. It's fairly clear to me that it's talking about an edit where you "eliminat[e] unnecessary words" which may or may not be part of a greater editing process.