Writing versus everyday speech
Published in Writing Tips on 7/28/2006
What sounds fine in everyday speech is not always acceptable in formal writing. This holds true for vocabulary ("he committed suicide," not, "he blew his brains out"), phrases (no cliches like "cream of the crop," or, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"), but also syntax (word order).
In speech, it is perfectly acceptable to say, "You're the girl I've always dreamed of." However, in formal writing it would be more elegant to write, "You are the girl of which I have always dreamed." In this way, the preposition ("of") does not occur at the end of the sentence (note also, no contractions in papers!). This is difficult to avoid in English because it sounds perfectly natural to end sentences with prepositions (with, to, for, etc.) when we speak. Anyway, try to avoid letting these informal speech patterns creep into your writing. Here's a few examples:
In the eighth circle of Hell, Ulysses and Diomed scorn Dante and choose Virgil, a fellow Greek, to speak to.
-try changing your words: here, substitute "address" and the need for the second "to" is gone. In the eighth circle of Hell, Ulysses and Diomed scorn Dante and choose Virgil, a fellow Greek, to address.
It is divine understanding Dante searches for.
- try the "preposition" + which formation, as in the above paragraph. It is divine understanding for which Dante searches.
Disclaimer: Although ending sentences with prepositions is awkward, if the new sentence you've made is more complicated than your original and obscures your meaning, drop the rule. After all, simple is elegant! (But don't put that in your paper, it's a cliche.)
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