December 18, 2008: Issue 269
The word help, ironically, rarely helps your writing. More often, it weakens verbs and should be deleted.
acceptable: Frosted glass helps protect privacy.
preferred: Frosted glass protects privacy.
acceptable: A sugar substitute helps cut the calories in your morning coffee.
preferred: A sugar substitute cuts the calories in your morning coffee.
Hold onto help only when deleting it compromises accuracy.
correct: Jim helped plant the garden that was named best in the city in 2008.
incorrect: Jim planted the garden that was named best in the city in 2008.
Speaking of helping, check out a video from Free to Be You and Me.
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