… Could We Just Lose the Adverb (Already)? — Vulture. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Undue dependence on modifiers comes about from not making clear to oneself the substance of what one is trying to get at. But once that has become clear, a well chosen modifier can be the cherry on the sundae. I was a copy editor for decades, but when I became an assigning editor and worked with columnists I found that getting the sound of their prose was essential. I could just point out to them that a given phrase or sentence didn't sound like them. I don't recall one ever disagreeing and not making a change.
Undue dependence on modifiers comes about from not making clear to oneself the substance of what one is trying to get at. But once that has become clear, a well chosen modifier can be the cherry on the sundae. I was a copy editor for decades, but when I became an assigning editor and worked with columnists I found that getting the sound of their prose was essential. I could just point out to them that a given phrase or sentence didn't sound like them. I don't recall one ever disagreeing and not making a change.
The last time I checked it in Webster's "today" was given as adverb.
ReplyDelete