Avera Style Guide
Other Rules of Usage
Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
- Use a singular verb with a singular subject.
The bittersweet flavor of youth – its trials, joys, adventures, challenges – is not soon forgotten. The subject, flavor, takes a singular verb, is.
The data are represented in the latest report.
The subject, data, takes the plural verb, are. Datum would take the singular verb, is.
- When matching subject and verb of a sentence, don’t be confused by prepositional phrases. A prepositional phrase is a phrase that modifies the sentence subject.
WRONG: The herd of palomino horses were rounded up.
RIGHT: The herd of palomino horses was rounded up.
In this example, the prepositional phrase of palomino horses modifies the subject herd, which takes a singular verb. Removing the prepositional phrase makes it easier to choose the correct verb form.
The herd was rounded up.
WRONG: He is one of the fastest runners who have joined the team.
RIGHT: He is one of the fastest runners who has joined the team.
The subject of the sentence is one man, not many, so the verb is singular.
He is one who has joined the team.
- Certain words are singular and require singular verbs: each, either, neither, none, everyone, everybody, nobody, someone.
Neither watch keeps good time.
None of the students is perfect for the job.
Use the correct case of pronoun.
- Personal pronouns change depending on whether they are the subject or object in a sentence.
WRONG: The ranger offered Shirley and I advice on campsites.
RIGHT: The ranger offered Shirley and me advice on campsites.
WRONG: Shirley and me got advice on campsites from the ranger.
RIGHT: Shirley and I got advice on campsites from the ranger.
When in doubt, test yourself by leaving out the other party.
I got advice…The ranger offered me advice…
- Use the simple personal pronoun as subject.
WRONG: Blake and myself stayed home.
RIGHT: Blake and I stayed home.
Use descriptive phrases correctly in sentences.
- When a sentence begins with a descriptive phrase, that phrase must refer to the subject of the sentence. In this type of sentence, the subject immediately follows the comma.
WRONG: Young and inexperienced, the task seemed easy to Bill.
(Young and inexperienced incorrectly describes task.)
RIGHT: Young and inexperienced, Bill thought the task seemed easy.
(Young and inexperienced correctly describes Bill.)
WRONG: Tired from working on her feet all day, it was time for her to relax.
(Tired from working on her feet all day incorrectly describes it.)
RIGHT: Tired from working on her feet all day, she needed to relax.
(Tired from working on her feet all day correctly describes she.)
Clarify the reference when using “them,” “those” and other indefinite referents.
- These words always refer to the noun that most immediately precedes it. Using the referent incorrectly changes the meaning of the sentence.
WRONG: Meals get cold when people eat slowly. Reheating makes them tastier.
RIGHT: Meals get cold when people eat slowly. Reheating makes the meals tastier. OR
When people eat slowly, meals get cold. Reheating makes them tastier.
(In the first example, them refers to people, so the sentence means Reheating makes people tastier.)
Use the active voice whenever possible.
- In the active voice, the subject of the sentence undertakes the action of the verb.
PASSIVE: The residents were presented with gift baskets by the staff.
ACTIVE: The staff presented gift baskets to the residents.
Do not end a sentence with a preposition.
- Prepositions include for, with, of, to, by, over. It may be necessary to rewrite your sentence to avoid awkward usage.
WRONG: This is the list of people to send the letter to.
AWKWARD: This is the list of people to whom to send the letter.
RIGHT: Send the letter to the people on this list.
Be watchful of "confused words."
Affect avoid as noun, except in psychology to describe an emotion; v.,
to influence or produce a change in
Effect n., result; v., to cause or accomplish
Bring to carry toward
Take to carry away
Orient v. to make familiar with or adjusted to facts, principles or
a situation
Orientate v. to face or turn to the east
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Clichés and Misused and Redundant Terms
- Before you use that cliché, think about whether or not it makes sense. Often you can find a simpler, more direct way to say what you mean. Among clichés to avoid:
each and every one of us (all of us)
at this point in time (now)
- Be aware of these commonly misused and redundant terms:
Accept, except – Accept means “to receive with consent”; except means “to exclude; to object.”
We do not accept out-of-state checks.
No one outside the organization except you knows about the takeover.
Affect, effect – Affect means “to have an influence on”; effect means “to make; to bring about.”
Large pay increases throughout the country will affect the rate of inflation.
Rising costs of raw materials will effect large price increases in May.
Along with – Redundant. Just use with.
Anybody – One word. Any body means “any corpse.” The same goes for nobody, everybody and somebody.
As yet – Yet alone is almost always better.
Can, may – Can means “is able to”; may means “is allowed to.”
Just because you can access my computer files doesn’t mean you may read my private correspondence.
Care – Avoid using in the same sentence as both a noun and a verb. We give quality care because we care about those we take care of in our facilities is repetitive and confusing.
Disinterested, uninterested – Disinterested means “impartial.” Uninterested means “not interested in.”
Farther, further – Use farther to specify physical distance and further to indicate time or degree. You chase a ball farther; you study a subject further.
Internet, intranet – The Internet is the electronic communications network that connects computer networks and facilities around the world. Intranet refers to an internal website that is available only to employees or members of a specific organization.
Interact – Avoid this overused word. Use descriptive terms such as communicate or share ideas as appropriate.
Irregardless – This is not a word. Use regardless.
Literal, literally – Use only when you mean it. She was literally dead on her feet means her heart had stopped beating but she was still standing up.
Medium, media – Medium is singular; media is plural.
The medium of radio has spawned numerous talk-show personalities.
The news media are resisting attempts to limit their freedom.
Obviously – Use only if something is truly obvious to the reader.
Principal, principle – Principal is “most important or influential; or person with controlling authority”; principle is “a basic truth or belief.”
She is the principal investigator.
It’s a matter of principles.
Staff, faculty – These words take a singular verb when used to refer to the group as a whole.
The staff is having a party.
They take a plural verb when used to refer to members of the group.
Staff are arriving at the facility. or Members of the staff are arriving at the facility.
That, which – That defines or restricts what you’re talking about.
The car that broke down is in the garage. (Not just any car.)
The book that she wrote is a bestseller. (Not just any book.)
Often, as in this example, “that” can be eliminated to simplify the sentence.
Which describes what you’re talking about. When the sentence includes which, use commas to set off the descriptive phrase.
The car, which broke down last week, is in the garage.
The book, which she wrote while on vacation, is a bestseller.
In these examples, the descriptive phrase beginning with which gives you more information about the book and the car.
Unique – Avoid overuse. Either something is unique – without like or equal – or it isn’t. Do not say “more unique” or “very unique.”
- Write in English and avoid using Latin abbreviations or terms.
Instead of using: Use:
etc. and so on
re: about or subject
i.e. that is
e.g. for example
- Phrases such as beginning to, striving to, seeking to and in order to dilute sentence strength. Avoid them when possible.
WEAK: The department is beginning to implement a cost-savings program.
STRONGER: The department is implementing a cost-savings program.
WEAK: We need your full cooperation in order to meet the deadline.
STRONGER: We need your full cooperation to meet the deadline.
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