Author / wynneejacobson

Posts by wynneejacobson

I am a proofreader and blog writer who enjoys language, reading and writing. I want to help you find just the right word or turn of phrase and also to help you eliminate errors--grammatical, typographical, spelling and word usage--in your written work. Another thing I love doing is needlework, and have designed and stitched my own patterns over the last several years.
by wynneejacobson

The Importance of Proofreading

“Eats Shoots and Leaves” vs. “Eats, Shoots and Leaves.”

What a difference one comma can make in readability and even meaning. The above is the title of Lynne Truss’  book about grammar. Like many people, I am on social media, and notice misspellings and typographical errors. I don’t correct these errors, as I understand that people dictate posts and messages into their phones. It does seem to me, though, that proofreading has fallen on hard times. Using my own skills, I attempt to help when appropriate.

Naturally, I proofed my own papers when in school, and even other classmates’ writing occasionally. I first realized, at college, that I have this skill. If only I’d been on the college yearbook staff! In my current nostalgia brought about by remembering happy times before COVID-19 lockdowns, I’ve revisited college yearbooks and unfortunately noticed many errors. I even took to marking corrections in these yearbooks. After so many years, it wouldn’t hurt anyone, right?

Fast forward to 2007, when I let the world know I can do proofreading. I had the privilege—and being trusted with someone’s work is always a privilege—to proofread someone’s doctoral thesis proposal. Through the years I proofread regularly as part of my duties as a customer service representative (this fell under the heading of “other duties as assigned”). In 2015, I started Eagle Harbor Editing, and have edited—and written—blog posts for a digital marketing company in California.

I’ve heard over the years that mistakes in writing can undermine credibility. To a certain extent, I believe that’s true. But such errors can be corrected, with a close eye on the text before the content is public. I endeavor to be tough on errors, but gentle and gracious with writers.

by wynneejacobson

What’s the Word: Assure, Ensure and Insure

 

Honestly, I have had a bit of trouble with this blog post. In my previous attempt, I took a too-academic approach: what are the exact French, Latin and English roots? What does each word mean? What are the similarities and differences?  What a dry little post. No wonder I had trouble getting excited about it. But one morning, a light bulb went off: what if I viewed these words through the lens of my Deliberative™ theme, my #5 StrengthsFinder® theme?

The very nature of the root “secure” reflects a need that my Deliberative theme has—to minimize risk by anticipating roadblocks and having backup plans. I want to assure myself of a good outcome, and ensure against a “bad” outcome. Why do people buy insurance in the first place? To ensure that they will be able to recover from loss. Of course, there’s also the option (indeed, an imperative I have) to try and prevent loss in the first place—loss of time and money, if not loss of face or credibility.

Of course, in working on this post, I did go to the Oxford Dictionaries’ website to gather needed information. Like I thought, the three words have the root concept of safety and security. Rooted in Latin, the concept moves through French into English. When we say assure, we usually assure a person, helping them be more certain. Ensure is less personal, and means taking the steps to be sure of getting something. For instance, the reservation of a venue ensures that an event will likely happen. Without an object, it can mean ensuring against, or preventing—putting on sunscreen ensures you won’t get a sunburn. Insure typically applies to business—paying an amount to a company or government agency in exchange for protection from loss or recovery from loss.

Though the three words have subtly different meanings, they are all rooted in the concept of safety and security. All meanings appeal to my signature theme of Deliberative™, a theme that feels a responsibility to protect others, and myself, against risk and to ensure the best possible outcome.

 

by wynneejacobson

What’s the Word: Discrete and Discreet

What is the difference between the words discrete and discreet?  I asked myself because I have run into the former, meant as the latter, more than once in my reading. At first glance, it would seem like one of those spelling differences between Canadian English and American English, like center versus centre, but that is not the case. However, I wanted to find out the source of the difference in spelling. Might there be a connection between the two, like some common root word?

First, here are the definitions for each word.  The word “discrete” means separate and distinct.  To use it in a sentence we could say “Everyone could see that the each of the brothers’ actions were discrete, to the point that you would think they grew up in completely different countries rather than as members of the same family.” The word “discreet” means to “display the virtues of modesty, prudence, or self-restraint.” Another definition of “discreet” is “careful and circumspect in one’s speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense, or to gain an advantage.” Another meaning “is intentionally unobtrusive.”  So we could say that “The brothers were so discreet in how they behaved in public, you could tell they were raised in a proper household.”

As it turns out, both come from the Latin word “discretus” where we get “to discern.” Discern comes by way of old French, which is derived from Latin. Discern is a word commonly used in Catholic circles. For example, “The young man tried to discern if he had a calling to be a priest.” Of course, this can be used in all sorts of situations, but I bring up the Catholic influence for a reason. If a person believes that every person is uniquely created by God, then God would want each person to do what he or she was separately called to do. In order to find out what this separate calling is then he or she must be prudent, careful and circumspect, keeping it hidden until he or she is certain. In addition, when someone is working to discern their vocation, then other people must be intentionally unobtrusive.  In other words, in order for someone to be discrete in actions, then he or she must be discreet.

As I suspected, and found out through some research, these two words are similar. On the Education Bug website, there is a handy mnemonic: in discrete, the two e’s are separate. In discreet, they are hidden between other letters. I wish I’d discerned that myself!

What is the difference between the words discrete and discreet?  I asked myself because I have run into the former, meant as the latter, more than once in my reading. At first glance, it would seem like one of those spelling differences between Canadian English and American English, like center versus centre, but that is not the case. However, I wanted to find out the source of the difference in spelling. Might there be a connection between the two, like some common root word?

First, here are the definitions for each word.  The word “discrete” means separate and distinct.  To use it in a sentence we could say “Everyone could see that the each of the brothers’ actions were discrete, to the point that you would think they grew up in completely different countries rather than as members of the same family.” The word “discreet” means to “display the virtues of modesty, prudence, or self-restraint.” Another definition of “discreet” is “careful and circumspect in one’s speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense, or to gain an advantage.” Another meaning “is intentionally unobtrusive.”  So we could say that “The brothers were so discreet in how they behaved in public, you could tell they were raised in a proper household.”

As it turns out, both come from the Latin word “discretus” where we get “to discern.” Discern comes by way of Old French, which is derived from Latin. Discern is a word commonly used in Catholic circles. For example, “The young man tried to discern if he had a calling to be a priest.” Of course, this can be used in all sorts of situations, but I bring up the Catholic influence for a reason. If a person believes that every person is uniquely created by God, then God would want each person to do what he or she was separately called to do. In order to find out what this separate calling is then he or she must be prudent, careful and circumspect, keeping it hidden until he or she is certain. In addition, when someone is working to discern their vocation, then other people must be intentionally unobtrusive.  In other words, in order for someone to be discrete in actions, then he or she must be discreet.

As I suspected, and found out through some research, these two words are similar. On the Education Bug website, I found a handy mnemonic: in discrete, the two e’s are separate. In discreet, they are hidden between other letters. I wish I’d discerned that myself!

by wynneejacobson

What’s the Word?

What’s the Word?

Welcome to my new feature, in which I write about my love of words and my fascination with their origins, meanings and usage.

Words that sound the same, but that are spelled differently, are called homophones. One set of homophones  includes the words “pique,” “peek” and “peak.” All sound the same, but of course mean different things. And because they sound the same, they are often misused.  Another trait these three words share is that they serve as more than one part of speech. Take “peak” for example. It can be a verb, meaning to reach the highest point. Or it can be a noun, meaning that highest point. Peak can even be an adjective, to describe one’s best performance.

The next word that sounds the same, “peek” can also be a noun or verb. To peek means to steal a look at something (“Don’t peek.”). As a noun, it means to take a peek, or sneak a peek, maybe when you’re not supposed to.

And lastly, “pique,” derived from French, is a verb and a noun.  The meanings of the word, as different parts of speech, are related. As a verb, “pique” can mean to arouse curiosity or irritation (or even anger). As a noun, the word is often used in the phrase “a fit of pique,” meaning the irritation aroused by a slight. In both cases, an emotion is aroused.

How might these words be used in a sentence? “My curiosity was piqued after I took a peek inside the book.” Or “My parents were piqued when I took a peek at—and shook—the presents underneath the Christmas tree.” Another example is “I thought it wise not to take a peek at a friend’s face, when at the peak of my pique (irritation) with her remark. Her annoyance might be piqued by my frown.”

I hope that that the interest of wordsmiths is “piqued” by this peek at three oft-confused words that sound the same, but have different meanings.

Source for word meanings and usage: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us, accessed 11/30/15.

by wynneejacobson

May (not Can) I Correct Your Grammar?

I probably should have studied to be an English teacher. Before she married, my mother taught English in a Colorado junior high school. In my opinion, she was–and is—more than qualified. I became used to her correcting my grammar when I was a child and I have developed an exacting attention to proper grammar and usage, myself. I sometimes worry about it coming across as “annoying.” But I try to be gentle and merciful, even framing my correction in the form of a question. I say, “Should that be…?” I need to make sure my corrections are meant to help and improve, not to nitpick. But I have sometimes wondered, is good grammar important, given the state of our world?

In professional settings, it is. It can make a difference between getting a promotion or not, or even being well thought of by your boss and colleagues. Using good grammar in writing and speech shows attention to detail, a standard qualification for many of our knowledge economy jobs. With texting and email, and the increase in speed of our society, good grammar has taken a hit. My husband Frank said it makes him cringe to see spellings that contain numbers in place of letters (Go2, for example). That doesn’t bother me too much, but I do want to whip out my correcting pen when I see “could of” rather than “could’ve.” Now, I’m not going to buy one of those t-shirts that says “I’m silently correcting your grammar.” But I am going to use my talent for picking out mistakes to make your writing flow as smoothly as possible.

Just because I’m a proofreader, however, doesn’t mean I’m perfect. I’ve caught the phrase “I’m like…” coming out of my mouth more than once. I once saw a shirt saying “Good grammar costs nothing.” I thought to myself, “…Except a little effort.” My experience in proofreading does not permit me to overlook an error, just as nearly ten years of customer service experience makes it hard to ignore a ringing phone. I realize I have set the bar high for myself in this work I’m pursuing.

What can I do about the bad grammar I see and hear? All I can do, all that is within my control, is to make sure my grammar—spoken and written—is clear, concise and correct. My reputation as a proofreader depends on it.

by wynneejacobson

By Way of Introduction

More than twenty years ago, I discovered my love for proofreading–even without being an English major. A college friend had asked me to edit one of his papers, and I enjoyed doing it. Now, that may sound like I enjoy finding and correcting others’ mistakes. And that, in turn, may make me seem like a “schoolmarm.” The truth is, I can’t not do so. I want to help you make your writing flow, to smooth out rough drafts.

I have to admit, ever since I was a child, I’ve been exacting. For instance, when I heard my mom said to someone that we lived in Seattle, I thought, “No, we live on Bainbridge Island.” In English class and later in Spanish class, I wanted to make sure I used—and spelled—words correctly, and make sure I inserted the correct diacritical marks.

I’ve always loved words—their history, their usage, their evolution.  Even as a child, I pestered my mom with, “What does that word mean, again?” As a middle schooler, I excelled at and enjoyed vocabulary and spelling. In fact (showing my “nerd” card here) I even asked my teacher for the spelling list for the following week. If I went back in time to college, I would have been an English major and a Spanish minor. I pick up obscure words like “jorum”(a container the size of a punch bowl) and “scunner (a strong dislike).” Words like “vicissitudes” and “verisimilitude” roll off my tongue. I have long been a reader, and through doing that, have picked up a lot of words both common and rare. I guess, having the talent theme as Input as one of my signature “StrengthsFinder” themes, it’s natural for me.

More recently, I have edited a variety of projects: a prospective medical student’s personal statement, a doctoral candidate’s thesis proposal, and even a mystery book about a detective whose partner is a German Shepherd dog (GSD).  I take a fairly simple approach, using Microsoft Word’s “track changes” and comment features to suggest changes and to explain the change suggestions I’ve made. I adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style (“Chicago”), but am not a stranger to Turabian. As I mentioned earlier, Input is one of my top 5 StrengthsFinder themes; not only do I retain information, but I seek it out. Along with proofreading, I promise to fact-check too.

So, please do me the “compliment” of sending me a sample of your writing. I will do a complimentary edit, to show how I can transform your text.