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He argues that Whites grammar advice is factually wrong, and uses examples from Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker to prove his point. That argument does not depend on
by olavk 18y ago
He argues that Whites grammar advice is factually wrong, and uses examples from Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker to prove his point. That argument does not depend on whether Pullum himself is a better writer that White.
But FWIW I find the first sentence much more informative than the second.
- pg 18y agoI didn't say that his argument depends on it, just that it would be more convincing if he wrote well. If he understands something important about writing that E. B. White didn't, he ought to be able to use that special insight to produce better results, much as someone who claimed to have discovered the secret of making money ought to be rich. You're right that the first sentence is more informative. Among its other problems, it's too informative. It's like saying that pi is 3.27394 rather than 3.14.
- kubrick 18y agoYou're right that the first sentence is more informative. Among its other problems, it's too informative. It's like saying that pi is 3.27394 rather than 3.14. Judgement call. "Too" informative? Perhaps for people who prefer brief sentences. For god's sake, stay the hell away from Faulkner.
- pg 18y agoIt's not a judgement call whether pi is closer to 3.27394 or 3.14. It's almost as certain Pullum didn't mean to exclude undergrads from his statement.