Tags
editing, editing tips, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips
You knew it was coming. The dreaded word “they” is related to “it” and “them.” If you missed those posts click here and here.
“Them” is a nice enough word, and because it is so nice, I invited “them” to over-stay their welcome in my WIP. “They” blend into the wallpaper, but when you give them a name badge and a cocktail, “they” become the life of the party.
Here we go . . .
She writes lovely comments on my blog but under the surface I can tell they are pandering.
She just wants you to follow her back.
She makes innocuous comments on my blog, but under the surface her words are judgmental and mean-spirited.
~~~~~
I hired a team to make nice comments on my blog and they did an excellent job.
You can hire someone to do that? What is their number?
The team I hired to make comments on my blog turned into an angry mob so I contacted my lawyer about a restraining order.
~~~~~
My readers were polite in their comments, but they covertly envied my success as a blogger.
I have comment-envy too.
My readers made nasty comments on my blog, but my feelings were not hurt because bloggers are a jealous lot.
Wow! Can you believe we are on Part 20 of the Strong vs Weak Word Series? I can’t.
Robin Coyle 
Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 38 ~ Everyone and Everybody « Robin Coyle
This is one of my favorite series of posts. You are always full of great advice. Thank you for sharing.
Why thank you Dennis. That is so nice to hear!
One more great lesson! Thanks!
Can you believe we are up to 20 already!? When I did the first one, I had no idea where this would take us.
There it is. Yes, the dreaded they! I dislike they because I never know who they are.
They, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they.
There…. They are now out of my system.
Phew. Out of my system too!
Language and words are so interesting, Aren’t they!!!!
They are! Writing is like playing with building blocks to make a beautifully structured story.
Who are they and what do they want?
They are scaring me!
I don’t personally know any “theys”, but they sure do seem to get around, don’t they?
They are everywhere. Cheeky buggers.
You know what they say… If you can’t beat ’em, join them. ; )
I think I’m particularly bummed when I see, as in your examples, that not only are there plenty of pronouns in an article, but “they” don’t refer back to a plural subject. Very distressing.
Sorry honey. Wait until I do a post on “their.” Ugh.
“They”… what a word! You can attribute almost anything to “they”. In my household when I was a teenager, it was “they are allowed”, “they can”, “they don’t have to”. Who were they? They were the children/grandchildren of the “they” of “they said you wear too much eyeliner” 😉
Eyeliner and hoop earrings in my day! God forbid!
Excuse me, but they just started to arrive, bringing it with them. Forget the zombie apocalypse. I’ve got to watch out for the weak words assault.
“They” are everywhere with zombie-like smirks and bloody fangs bared. (Do zombie smirk and have fangs?)
I hate they. They are dangerous. You wouldn’t guess it, but they are. They should never be underestimated. Whenever someone refers to they, I imagine ‘they’ are our secret overlord pengiuns. Rule the world behind a cute facade at the end of the world. They reside in the zoos around the globe spying upon us. Be careful, they are watching us.
Now I am a little afraid!
I see this one a lot and it drives me bonkers. I do a lot of editing and that’s one of the first things I zero in on. Those ambiguous/misplaced “theys.”
Are you an editor professionally?
Used to be. I was a medical editor — as you can imagine, doctors and scientists aren’t known for their attention to the rules of grammar.
I’m impressed. With you, not the doctors’ writing ability.
Y’know, they say you’re right.
So they are very smart people!
I forgot to ask . . . Did you get the Trigger Junior photos I sent?
Love it – you know what ‘they’ say, “show, not tell,” and using an innocuous ‘they’ is NOT showing!!!
Good point. “They” are are smart!
These bloggers that represent the “they” sure seem a bit envious and passive aggresive lately. Keep them away from my site, will you? 😉
“They” pester me all the time so I don’t “they” have time to annoy you.
Oh, good. Then again, I’m so often lost in my own thoughts, I probably wouldn’t notice if they did. 🙂
I will be screening my blog posts from now on.
=)
Ha ha! Me too!