英语语法：211 Grammar Style Issues

by Mignon Fogarty

Today's topic is style guides.

It's true that when it comes to grammar there are a lot of hard and fast rules; but it's also true that there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of issues that are dictated¹ by style. I know it would be so much easier if the rules were just black and white, and I could always just tell you what to do -- I like to tell people what to do -- but in a lot of cases you're just going to have to decide on your own.

Here's an example: there is an e-mail list for writers that I subscribe² to where the people are practically in a flame war right now about whether there should be one or two spaces after the period at the end of the sentence. These people are surprisingly militant³ about spaces. Honestly, it kind of scares me; but regardless of what you think about the issue, the bottom line is that it's enough of an unresolved point that it's a matter of style. You should just find out what the style is of the people you are writing for and do it that way.

So, back to the topic: what's a style guide? A style guide is a document that is typically put together by editors, managers, or producers to define how they want their writers to handle all the unresolved writing and grammar problems that arise (and, believe me, they do arise on an almost hourly basis.) It can include almost anything the creator wants it to, but a style guide typically covers things like
grammar issues
spelling issues
formatting⁴ issues
general writing recommendations
A grammar issue might be whether to capitalize the first letter of a full sentence after a colon⁵. (I don't.) A spelling issue might be whether to use the American or British spelling of a word. (I use American spelling.) A formatting issue might be what font to use for a specific section of the document or web page. (If I'm referring to a specific word in the blog, I make it bold.*) (And finally) A general writing recommendation might be whether jargon⁶ is allowed. (I try not to use jargon, or at least to define it when I do use it.)

A style guide is a very, very good thing for editors. It will keep them from wasting time reworking documents to fit their preferences. (And) A style guide is a very, very good thing for companies and publications. It keeps all their works consistent, which makes their overall offering feel more professional. People might not consciously notice it, but they'll feel like something is wrong if things aren't consistent from page to page. A style guide is also a pretty good thing for writers, because it saves them from spending time waffling about which way to do things (and from fighting about it on e-mail lists). It can also save writers from offending unreasonable⁷ editors who have strong preferences that they otherwise fail to communicate. [Note: I would never write very, very in a document, but it's the way I talk, so it's in the transcript⁸.]

So, the bottom line is when you start a project with a new company or publication always try to get the style guide, and if you hire writers make sure you have a style guide to give them.

That's all. As always, this is Grammar Girl, striving to be your friendly guide in the writing world. You'll find a transcript of this podcast at QuickAndDirtyTips.com. I've also added a new box in the sidebar at the website, called Grammar Girl Essentials, that lists my favorite grammar and writing books. Thank you to everyone who has left reviews at iTunes, I really appreciate it; and if you're sitting at your computer right now and haven't already left a review, why don't you do it right now? It doesn't hurt nearly as much as seeing two spaces after a period. (And) Finally, if you'd like to call in a question, the number is 206-338-GIRL.
 

1 dictated   

v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布

参考例句：

• He dictated a letter to his secretary. 他向秘书口授信稿。
• No person of a strong character likes to be dictated to. 没有一个个性强的人愿受人使唤。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 subscribe   

vi.(to)订阅，订购；同意；vt.捐助，赞助

参考例句：

• I heartily subscribe to that sentiment.我十分赞同那个观点。
• The magazine is trying to get more readers to subscribe.该杂志正大力发展新订户。

3 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

4 formatting   

n.格式化v.使格式化( format的现在分词 )；规定…的格式（或形状、大小、比例等）；安排…的格局（或规格）；设计…的版面

参考例句：

• Select the block of text and-click and choose Default Formatting. 选择目标文字块，点击鼠标右键，选择默认格式。 来自互联网
• There are emerging conventions about the content and formatting of documentation strings. 这里介绍文档字符串的概念和格式。 来自互联网

5 colon   

n.冒号，结肠，直肠

参考例句：

• Here,too,the colon must be followed by a dash.这里也是一样，应当在冒号后加破折号。
• The colon is the locus of a large concentration of bacteria.结肠是大浓度的细菌所在地。

6 jargon   

n.术语，行话

参考例句：

• They will not hear critics with their horrible jargon.他们不愿意听到评论家们那些可怕的行话。
• It is important not to be overawed by the mathematical jargon.要紧的是不要被数学的术语所吓倒.

7 unreasonable   

adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的

参考例句：

• I know that they made the most unreasonable demands on you.我知道他们对你提出了最不合理的要求。
• They spend an unreasonable amount of money on clothes.他们花在衣服上的钱太多了。

8 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。