Monthly Archives: May 2013

Language Note of the Week 35

Four little tips this week (skip to number four if you’re in a hurry and about to write a test): 1) Changing the tried-and-true word order adds life to your prose. If you (as many students do) write “however” several … Continue reading

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Language Note of the Week 34

“Just” is a useful and slippery term. It can be an intensifier (“Just stop it!”) or a synonym for “fair-minded” (“He’s a just man, but a pain to deal with”). “Just” can often sound dismissive – as in “It was … Continue reading

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Language Note of the Week 33

The first sentence is crucial for setting the tone (see “Reminder” at http://www2.arnes.si/~bjason/LNW.pdf). Consider the tone set by these first sentences from real (but slightly changed) motivation letters: 1) “I would like take a chance and participate in study program … Continue reading

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Language Note of the Week 32

Two short ones: 1) “This is because the 13th-century Italy was unusual.” Nope. “This is because 13th-century Italy was unusual.” Drop the definite article when you use AS A NOUN PHRASE “13th-century Italy” or “19th-century France” or “x-th-century whatever.” 2) … Continue reading

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