Quick Fixes Part 1

Place only before the word you wish to limit.

• I only eat steak on Sundays implies you do other things to steak Monday through Friday.

• Try I eat steak only on Sundays. It’s delicious.

Compare nouns with like. Compare verbs with as.

• I’m just like my country / I’m young, scrappy and hungry . . . (“My Shot,” Hamilton: An American Musical)

• As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1)

Use etc. (et cetera) if you mean “and the rest.” Use et al. (et alia) if you mean “and others.”

• ❌ Several states (Idaho, Ohio, etc.) have passed laws protecting fairness in women’s sports.

• ✅ Several states (Idaho, Ohio, et al.) have passed laws protecting fairness in women’s sports.

• Avoid either if you can be precise and concise without them.

  • ❌ The legislature had a clear agenda: energy, education, the economy, etc. 

  • ✅ The legislature had a clear agenda: energy, education, and the economy.