Comments on: Contact Me

By: Erin Brenner

Erin Brenner — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:52:28 +0000

I think it’s human nature: it’s easier to ask someone than do the research. I remember working in offices with other copyeditors, and we’d routinely pick each other’s brains rather than open a book or browser window. I like the questions because they keep me thinking and learning.

By: Bill Warriner

Bill Warriner — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:38:04 +0000

You know, Erin, there is a fascinating social dynamic at work here. Why is it that readers like “T” above, with his/her question about comprise vs compose, would rather write to you than pick up a dictionary? And bless you, you patiently went to work and wrote out in detail what that individual could have figured out in, say, 3 minutes–even though I’m sure it took you much longer to check ALL your dictionaries including American Heritage and the OED. Don’t you find it curious? To me it’s a fascinating aspect of the Web, and in particular Linkedin and Facebook.

By: Erin Brenner

Erin Brenner — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:11:56 +0000

Hi, T. Although comprise and compose have an overlapping definition, this is not that definition. Comprise means "to consist of," "to contain," or "to compose [or] constitute," according to the American Heritage Dictionary, and all the dictionaries that I checked (including the massive Oxford English Dictionary) agree. Compose means "to make up the constituent parts of," "to make or create by putting together parts or elements," "to create or produce (a literary or musical piece)," "to make (oneself) calm or tranquil," "to settle or adjust; reconcile," or "to arrange aesthetically or artistically," also according to AHD. The first definition is the one comprise and compose share, but it's the third definition that your coworker intends when he or she writes a letter. Your coworker composes a letter, which may comprise a lot of details. Thanks for your question!

By: T

Sun, 29 May 2011 12:34:36 +0000

Hi Erin,
My coworker always says:
I will comprise a letter. Shouldn’t the sentence be I will compose a letter or is the word comprise correct. Thank you!

By: Oxford Dictionaries Online, Part 2: Over the Pay Wall

Oxford Dictionaries Online, Part 2: Over the Pay Wall — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:50:48 +0000

[...] Contact Me [...]

By: Frances

Frances — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:37:31 +0000

Hi Erin
Loved the paddle in adjectives. Looking forward to further forays.

Cheers F

By: Erin Brenner

Erin Brenner — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:22:36 +0000

Thanks, Adam. There are two RSS buttons in the right column: one just above my picture and one in the “Continue the Conversation” section just below my picture. Both go to http://feeds.feedburner.com/thewritingresource/fyzt. Cheers!

By: Taizun

Taizun — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:55:19 +0000

Hello Erin,

Wanted to subscribe to your blog. Found it quite useful for my self. Could you please send across a link to subscribe to your blog.
Regards,
Adam