Six Sassy Syntax Tips To Make Your Writing Stronger
There are a lot of things in life I can be perfectly cordial about, but, honestly, I’m human–and a writer, so, you’ve got to know that there are some syntax snafus that are nails on the chalkboard to me. We all have our little quirks and fetishes–good grammar is one of mine.
Today, I’d love to share with you six sassy syntax tips to get your grammar out of the gutter.
1) Never leave “this” standing alone.
This is why. This could lead to confusion. This is really common.
What the hell is “this?” Use “this” as an adjective. It should modify something. This method is a much clearer way of writing. This type of communication expresses its ideas more effectively. This idea should now be evident to you.
2) Don’t confuse that, who, and whom.
Ok, I know we live in a commercial culture that thrives on objectifying humans for the sake of sales. But, please, do not bring that smut into your writing. People are not objects, no matter what the latest ads are telling you. “So what?” I hear you say. Well, let me tell you.
“That” refers to objects.
“Who” and “Whom” refer to people.
Therefore: “She is the girl that I asked out last week” does not work. Unless, you are cavorting with inflatable plastic people– and frankly that’s too much information.
Rather, I am going to make the potentially foolish assumption that you went out with a real live human girl, and you, therefore, need to refer to her as a human, by using either who or whom.
What to do? “It’s so confusing this whole who/whom conundrum,” I hear you whine. Ok, here’s the official skinny: who is a subject, whom is an object.
What does that mean for you? Here’s the simple test: does your sentence already have a subject, then “whom” is probably your new knight in shining armor, the word of your dreams.
Let’s take a look at our example.
“She is the girl that I asked out last week.” What’s the subject? She. Very good.
Who is a subject. We already have a subject, therefore we don’t need another one. Use Whom.
She is the girl whom I asked out last week.
3) “But that sounds so funny. Nobody talks that way.” Seriously, are you whining again?
Yes, it is true– no one does talk that way. But just think– and not to get too “Alice’s Restaurant” on you– but we could start a revolution here– if people did start to talk that way, maybe we could start this whole uprising of people who actually spoke properly.
It could go viral!
Ok, ok, ok, I’ll calm down.
It may not sound right, but it is, in fact, right. And as a writer, you should care about following grammar, usage, and mechanics rules.
4) You have a sacred role as a protector of the language. Don’t abuse it.
So, let’s get back to more important tasks in your role as safeguard. Whom is an object pronoun, ok, we’ve covered that. If you are referencing a human being and are tempted to use that, think twice, then opt for who or whom.
If you decide you can’t choose between who and whom, or if you simply don’t want to sound like you’ve stepped out of a Dickens novel,
please at least err on the side of treating people with dignity and use who over that.
5) It’s all relative
One last note: I am not one for labels– I am more concerned with proper usage than nomenclature. That said, here’s a hint that might help you: the words who, whom, and that are called relative pronouns, thusly named because they relate to the noun they are describing. Therefore, just like in that preschool card game “memory,” they have to match. “That” is no more a match for “person” than “strawberry” was for “lemon,” no matter how much you tried to cheat when your brother wasn’t looking.
Besides, thinking of grammar like a card game makes it fun. Well, almost.
6) Your opinion matters
Ok, I’ve sassed about with my writing pet peeves. What are some of yours? What tips do you have for avoiding them? Send your ideas and questions my way. I always love to hear from you .
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In my writing, when I proof read, I will make sure that I have not confused that for who/whom because that is something I would definitely do. I am glad that I know about confusing the words now because I have confused them for so long without even realizing it.
Hi Hailee. Thanks so much for your feedback. It’s true that who and whom can be tricky! I am glad this article was helpful to you, and happy writing!
This article made me think more about the deeper meaning of my writing – as I never realized using “that” could be taken in ways I didn’t intend them in going. I guess I never knew the proper way of writing or talking about and object verses a person.
Thanks for your comment, Abby. I am glad that you found this article helpful.
This article actually helped me understand with more detail my style of writing and its flaws, for one I tend to use “this” alone as a habit, and it also helped me differentiate object pronouns from subjects.
Thank you so much for your comment, Chukwumaife. I am glad you found this article helpful.
I learned to never leave “this” standing by itself and to clarify what the subject of “this” is. Instead of being vague with who or what I am talking about, I will make sure to clarify the who and the what when I am writing my essay.
Thanks for your comment, Monika. I am glad this information will help you to write your essay.
I noticed you spent some time on the idea we should retain our ‘heritage’ and try our best to use proper English whenever applicable. Do you disagree that we should embrace the language and roll with where it takes us? I mean, if we look back at what English once was – we now call it ‘old’, but at one time it was normal conversation. What I am saying is that although I think remembering where we come from is both fascinating and important, we shouldn’t be so apt to resist change. Just opinions let me know how you feel.
I absolutely think there is a balance between maintaining standards of speech and embracing neologisms. Thanks for an excellent question! What are you writing these days?
Thanks, Annalisa, for managing to do what 12 years of public education and a couple of college English professors couldn’t. Of course I may be more invested in actually understanding grammar now, than in the past…
You’re so welcome, Andrew. Thank you for your fine comments.
I cannot tell a lie…I will never get lay/lie correct. I know which one means what. But getting all the tenses and forms correct? I can read and study and pin all the charts I want, but lay/lie is never going to happen! LOL
Lisa–I so get it! I don’t feel too badly about it though. I feel like we each have our sticky wickets, and things we have to look up time and time again. It’s all about finding the writer you are and being that writer. What are you writing these days?