Bonnie Trenga

I will not completely disagree with you on this one. Using passive voice in my example just makes sense to me. If I see something that does need repaired you will not see the passive voice come out. Any help with changing the wording in my post would be appreciated. Sure. You wrote: Drip cap flashing is recommended along the top horizontal ledges of all window trims. Flashing was omitted at the upper level windows. I am not concerned with the lack of flashing at these windows since there is an eave overhang that will protect the upper level windows. I would have written: You should have so and so put drip cap flashing along the top horizontal ledges of all window trims. You don't have to put flashing above (?) the upper-level windows because the eave overhang protects these windows. Dare I ask if you've read my book? It will help you recognize and get rid of seven common writing problems. I'd even like to work with you one on one if you take my writing class. WJ, I agree that homophones can be a big problem. Site, sight and cite are actually homophones: words that sound the same but are spelled differently; homonyms are actually words that are spelled the same but that mean different things: bat (animal) and bat (baseball item). Funny you should mention that. I am writing an article on that very topic right now. It will be available for you to read next year in Writer's Digest Magazine (I know that sounds far away). Next week, you can read my first column online. I'll send a link when it's available. Mike, I don't think pronouns are that much of a problem in your writing. Just make sure they clearly refer back to a noun.

Hey Jim. It's not a misplaced modifier. It's more of an ambiguous sentence. The pronoun it could refer to head or furnace. It would probably be prudent to repeat the noun to avoid this ambiguity. It's not really wrong, though, Homer. A misplaced modifier might be: Hungry, all that work on the furnace revved up my appetite.

Dear Homer, Just take a little time to proofread. Love, Marge

You're right that these are synonyms. Fix seems a bit less formal. I guess I meant it's better to be as specific as possible about what to repair/fix. Just ignore me on that, but don't ignore me on these writing errors: the meaning... is (not are); the meaning is ... not the same as my clients (that's not an apples to apples comparison; you're comparing meaning to clients); and than, not then. There was also a question about whether to repair inherently means repair properly. I think a repair can be done improperly, but it seems obvious that when an HI writes "repair xyz" he means do it right. When I edit something, I try to edit it properly, so I promise my clients copyediting services, not proper copyediting services.

I love it! What a maroon! You mean moron!! (You're not a maroon moron!) Maroon is purple. Thanks for the laugh. The other day I was proofreading something where the word proofreading was mispelled proofreeding. Another good one!

Thanks, Mike, for the nod. (I do periodically check the Report Writing area since that's my main interest. But I have avoided commenting on spelling/writing mistakes because I don't want to be annoying.) Thanks WJ (SonOfSwamp) for noticing that passive voice is a poor way of writing! As for the original question, repair or proper repair, it seems to me as a layperson that you could solve the problem by being more specific. For example, if the roof is caving in, say something like "The roof is caving in. I recommend that a roofer examine and fix x, y and z." The word "repair" seems a bit vague to me.

I would agree with these guys. Present sounds better. Was found to be/is present: these types of phrases are wordy and pompous sounding. I advocate straightforward sentences: X is broken/Z leaks. The fewer words the better, as long as you communicate what's wrong with the house. Try giving yourself a word maximum so you don't go on and on needlessly.

Quick bucks might be nice, but good writing is better.[^]

Les always has something silly to say. You, Brian, Tiger Man, always put a smile on my face. I'm looking forward to seeing how you do in the writing class. I predict you'll write some excellent pieces.

Hey Brandon. I just Googled myself and the TIJ forum was one of the hits. I think this is a fascinating place, and I'm happy that you inspector dudes want to improve your writing! I, too, enjoy the goofy guys. They seem to have an excellent sense of humor. Brandon, in case you didn't know, there's a new area of the forum, called Ask the Sentence Sleuth (me), where you can ask a writing-related question. Hope to see you there for some face time. Been back to Ithaca lately? I last went a couple years ago. Son of Swamp (what the heck does that name mean, anyway?), I don't think how you type matters; just how you proofread. Be suspicious of everything. That's how I find errors. You guys must take the same tack when you're checking a house. You don't assume everything is fine with the house, right? Same with writing. Assume it's wrong, and many times you'll be right.

Hello from Bonnie. Several guys have said that time is a problem for them, and that's why they can't sign up for the class. I imagine it would take students 30 to 60 minutes a day. That's not that much time. Watch one less sitcom or skip the sports section? Do your lesson on the john? Possible? Would you prefer not to study for seven weeks but some other time frame, such as one month? I want to make this accessible to everyone with the least amount of headaches for everyone, so I'm asking you all to please let me know what changes to my suggested curriculum you want. Thanks for your time, and I hope to be light-heartedly correcting you all soon!

Calling Mr Leslie VanAlstine, Mr Brad Manor, Mr Jim Morrison and Mr Chad Fabry! And two other willing participants! I hope you had a great three-day weekend (assuming you didn't work). May I remind you that starting a week from today is the first Sentence Sleuth Writing Workshop, starring... YOU! (And me, a little.) We need you to sign up in the Sentence Sleuth forum area. It's just $125 for seven weeks of luscious learning. I promise it won't be dull. DevWave is making it easy for you by allowing you to pay by credit card. Thanks, DevWave! I look forward to hearing from all of you! Bonnie, AKA The Sentence Sleuth

Hello everyone. In case you weren't aware, you are now able to sign up for the writing class on the Sentence Sleuth forum area. I'm looking forward to the class starting in 11 days! You can also ask me any question about writing, style or grammar at the Ask the Sentence Sleuth area. Bonnie

Not to be a nerd, but my only comment (other than if you want me to contact Mr Long, I will) is that you've misused it's and its! Arrg!

Would you like me to contact Michael Long? I certainly can if it would help you guys.

Hi. Sorry about your time constraints, Randy. I wonder, though, if you can fit in 30-60 minutes a day for writing practice. That's what I have planned.

Thanks to everyone. Hausdok is helping immensely, and we're getting things organized. It seems that checks won't be needed anymore. And I imagine this is a deductible business expense for the inspectors (Mr. Accountant Husband, am I right?). Bonnie

Hi all. I'm still working on finding out about accepting credit cards. Once I get this organized I'll give you details about where to send payment. I hope that will be by the end of the week. Anyway, the price for this seven-week writing extravaganza will be just $125. Bonnie

Bain is right. Simple, declarative sentences are best for your type of writing. You don't need fancy, wordy sentences that go on forever. These are the types of issues we'll discuss in the class. I've decided it will be called The Sentence Sleuth Writing Workshop. (My column in Writer's Digest Magazine will be called The Sentence Sleuth.) You detect problems in homes; now it's time to detect problems in your writing. I'm excited to start this class. To help me prepare, can any of you who will be in the class send me badly written home inspector prose? It can be your own if you feel it's not written well, or it can be any other writing related to your field. More tomorrow. Time to put the kids to bed.

How do you feel about credit cards? I'm inquiring about that with my bank.

Hi Clyde. I've never met a real Clyde. We now seem to have seven. We can start organizing whatever area of the website is necessary.

Hi. We have six lucky inspectors so far. I've been looking into PayPal and I'd like to avoid paying a 5% fee on every transaction (assuming you do a credit card). Would a check be too old-fashioned?

Hi. Any bookstore should have it, or you can get it at Amazon. Thanks a lot! I look forward to reading your writing! And oops, it's Monday June 4, not June 1.

Let's try to start Monday June 1. Does that work? I'll come up with a price.