Comments on: The Difference Between Grammar and Clarity http://www.gryphonmountain.net/2009/03/the-difference-between-grammar-and-clarity/ Technical Communication and Other Writing Topics, by Ben Minson Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:05:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: The difference between grammar and clarity Writer River http://www.gryphonmountain.net/2009/03/the-difference-between-grammar-and-clarity/#comment-247 The difference between grammar and clarity Writer River Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:51:29 +0000 http://www.gryphonmountain.net/?p=363#comment-247 [...] The difference between grammar and clarity foxlangserv | March 24, 2009 | permalink Tags: http://www.gryphonmountain.net/archives/techcomm/the-difference-between-grammar-and-clarity   [...] [...] The difference between grammar and clarity foxlangserv | March 24, 2009 | permalink Tags: http://www.gryphonmountain.net/archives/techcomm/the-difference-between-grammar-and-clarity   [...]

]]> By: Nirmala Rao http://www.gryphonmountain.net/2009/03/the-difference-between-grammar-and-clarity/#comment-246 Nirmala Rao Sat, 21 Mar 2009 10:51:31 +0000 http://www.gryphonmountain.net/?p=363#comment-246 Agree with you. You should know the rules to break the rules! Grammar should be adhered to, to instill some sensibility in writing. But see that clarity follows it! Agree with you. You should know the rules to break the rules! Grammar should be adhered to, to instill some sensibility in writing. But see that clarity follows it!

]]> By: Vishnu http://www.gryphonmountain.net/2009/03/the-difference-between-grammar-and-clarity/#comment-245 Vishnu Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:49:07 +0000 http://www.gryphonmountain.net/?p=363#comment-245 Grammar is the foundation for clarity. If a techncial writer has a very good understanding of grammar, the writing gathers clarity. If there is insufficient understanding of grammar, then writers cannot write simple sentences and brevity will suffer. You must know the rules to break the rules. The reason for the poor grammar usage by newspapers and TV is the tendency to hire less people for the desk and to compromise quality over profits. Grammar is the foundation for clarity. If a techncial writer has a very good understanding of grammar, the writing gathers clarity. If there is insufficient understanding of grammar, then writers cannot write simple sentences and brevity will suffer. You must know the rules to break the rules.

The reason for the poor grammar usage by newspapers and TV is the tendency to hire less people for the desk and to compromise quality over profits.

]]> By: Ben http://www.gryphonmountain.net/2009/03/the-difference-between-grammar-and-clarity/#comment-244 Ben Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:59:14 +0000 http://www.gryphonmountain.net/?p=363#comment-244 Amen, brother. You'd probably enjoy <em>The Grouchy Grammarian</em> by Thomas Parrish. Amen, brother. You’d probably enjoy The Grouchy Grammarian by Thomas Parrish.

]]> By: Troy http://www.gryphonmountain.net/2009/03/the-difference-between-grammar-and-clarity/#comment-243 Troy Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:26:04 +0000 http://www.gryphonmountain.net/?p=363#comment-243 I generally agree with your assertion, especially the idea that "adhering to proper grammatical structures isn't the end-all of communication." When we have a strong understanding of the grammar rules, we know how to break those rules to better communicate our message. One example that comes to mind is ending a sentence with a preposition. People speak that way all the time in every day language, so breaking from the grammar rules to relate a concept in plain language syntax may be needed. What really bothers me, though, is poor grammar usage by newspapers, TV news, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I see the poor grammar and I can't focus on the message! I generally agree with your assertion, especially the idea that “adhering to proper grammatical structures isn’t the end-all of communication.” When we have a strong understanding of the grammar rules, we know how to break those rules to better communicate our message.

One example that comes to mind is ending a sentence with a preposition. People speak that way all the time in every day language, so breaking from the grammar rules to relate a concept in plain language syntax may be needed.

What really bothers me, though, is poor grammar usage by newspapers, TV news, etc. Maybe it’s just me, but I see the poor grammar and I can’t focus on the message!

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