Bonnie Trenga

Annoying resident editor here to criticize--and therefore help you improve--this writing. I would avoid the misplaced modifier in the first sentence (Using a XXXXX moisture meter, evidence). Using a x moisture meter, I found evidence of moisture in the wall below the valley over the front bedroom. Then I would make the remaining sentences more active and then correct the spelling error (competant): When I inspected the roof and soffits/eaves and/or attic in this area, I discovered XXXXXXX, which could be the source of the leak. A competent roofing contractor should repair this because there might be hidden damage to the structure in this area. Did you all see how I made each sentence active, removing nominalizations and passive voice? If not, I would love to help you through my writing class. May I ask why it's hard for inspectors to say, "I found this" instead of "X was found"? Did someone teach you to not use "I"? It seems clients would expect you to use "I" since they know you personally are inspecting the house.

Update! We had it removed. It was 5 feet deep!

Ready when you are. First, do you know what nominalizations and passive voice are? It's hard to eliminate them if you don't know how to identify them. Second, would you mind trying to cut it down first? I like your four-point summary in your second message. Perhaps start with that in mind. Just one or two sentences under each head should suffice. Have fun chopping! I'll be happy to help you if you have trouble with your ax. One of my loyal clients calls me The Hatchet Lady. Bonnie

I do think it makes you sound friendly, but it's a lot of verbiage to get through. If I were a customer, I might skim it or skip it. I would rather read a shorter blurb. Also, a numbered list for the layout section might be easier to follow. I did like your verb "clog." Those kind of interesting verbs make reports much more palatable. I could certainly help you tighten it up (by at least a third), get rid of nominalizations and passive voice, and fix a misplaced modifier/other grammatical issues. I might also like to alert you to my writing course, available through this site.

That is wonderful news! A 13-yr-old who knows about MMs besting a who-knows-how-old inspector! Thanks for the laugh!

That's good advice about winter vs. summer usage. Since it's the guest room, almost no one is ever in it, so the fan is never on. We just want the light to work when we turn it on. Mounting the remote's cradle is a great idea!! Now what about the fact that I have to press the darn button six or seven times for it to work?

Thanks for all your suggestions. You're the best!

Hi, guys. It's been a while since I've posted anything, so I thought I'd ask you about something annoying in my house. Our guest bedroom has a ceiling fan that has a remote controller. If I want to go in the room and turn on the light switch, it doesn't turn the light on. I have to press the buttons on the remote controller several times until it goes on. I can then turn off the light with the light switch, but if I want it on again I have to press the remote controller buttons several times. Is there an easy way for us to fix this or do we need a new switch/ceiling fan?

They (AZ bark scorpions) also live in my house. Stomp!

Hmm, what do you think about a 5-foot, 2-inch woman operating one of those? A bit dangerous, maybe? Especially if I find myself proofreading any words inside the vehicle (can't help it). Sincerely, She Who Wishes She Were Taller and Beefier and a Bit Less Proofready Sometimes

Scott, hubby asks: Can you ask him the rough length and width of the slab and how long it took him. And if the slab I’m going to do is twice as thick does he think it will take twice as long, or will it take even longer?

New question courtesy of hubby: After we determine that there isn't anything under the concrete like a gas line or whatnot (we're having people come out), he wants to know about using a bobcat with a hydraulic hammer. He can rent one. He wants to know how complicated is it to operate considering that he's never used one before. Also, if there is rebar in the concrete, will this machine break it up?

Well, this could morph into a whole new thread about venomous house anti-guests. I can't even pee in the middle of the night because I'm afraid of what I might step on.

Thanks for your input, Mr AZ. We're having srp, cox and mesa come out to examine it. My other thought is that with all the scorpions in the area (and house) it must be a scorpion den!

We don't see any box or anything. We'll call the utilities in the morning. It was fun shoveling with hubby but it's time to leave it to the professionals. Interesting idea about the cell tower! Thanks for your input.

Hubby just spoke with a neighbor, who thinks it is the remnants of a windmill used to warm up the citrus trees when there was a frost. If it was gas or electric powered, would you think there'd still be a still-active gas or electric line? We don't want to blow up anything. What a pain!!

Thanks guys. You're the best.

We always have way too many oranges! I'd be happy to send a bunch to you all (COD of course!). Our lawn guy has a jackhammer and is coming over today. Vamos a ver que dice.

Thanks. It's actually seven inches thick. Around nearby groves I've seen cylindrical cisterns so that's probably what it was. How do we get it out?

Could be messy! But we don't have a septic tank. Hubby asks: "Does a septic tank have some kind of door or access on the top or side to clean it out?" My question: Would the city or water company have anything to do with this and would we need permission to bulldoze it out?

Hi. We live in an old orange grove. We still have many orange trees (around 20) in our almost one-acre property. Today we were digging up in the back of the yard in the hopes of clearing weeds and planting two new fruit trees. It appears there's a 10-foot by 10-foot concrete slab under the dirt. It's about four inches thick. Near the middle is a round area about the size of a dinner plate, and surrounding this round area are five or six long things sticking out of the concrete, what my husband thinks are threaded screws. (We were digging in the dark after the kids went to bed, hoping there would be a clear marking on the concrete. Nope.) Anyway, my husband thinks this is the foundation of a long-ago-used piece of machinery or something used for irrigation. We currently have flood irrigation but not in this area of the yard. This area is elevated by less than a foot. Below is grass and fruit trees. 1) Can anyone guess what this is? 2) How do we get it out? Thanks, Bonnie Image Insert: 142.05 KB

Randy, my dear, I am here. Oneself is a reflexive pronoun, as are herself, himself, etc. Therefore, "marketing oneself" is a correct phrase. You can always e-mail me a question at curiouscase@hotmail.com or go to Ask the Sentence Sleuth here at TIJ. As a copyeditor who sees many dreadful marketing pieces, I would say that one of the best ways of marketing yourself is ensuring your Web site and brochures--not to mention your reports--display error-free and clear English.

Irregardless is definitely not a word!

Homo=same, as in homogeneous Phone=sound, as in telephone, phonetic, etc Nym=name, as in antonym, synonym Anyway, I try to avoid using fancy grammatical terms in my writing. Who cares if it's a homonym or homophone, I think. As long as you avoid the mistake. That's enough Greek or whatever for one day.

You're welcome! I'm ready when you are!