Writing and rewriting

by George Carver; Thomas A. Knott; William S. Maulsby

Bad. He talked as though he had a potato in his mouth.

Better. He talked as if he had a potato in his mouth.

at about. At about is a slovenly colloquialism. Omit at.

Bad. He left at about six o’clock.

Better. He left about six o’clock.

call attention. Attention is directed, not called.

certainly. Over use has made certainly unemphatic.

Bad. I will certainly be there.

Better. I will be there.

data. Plural, not singular.