Usage Most information from Rude, Carolyn. Technical Editing, 4 th ed.

Expressions may technically violate grammar rules, but still be acceptable. Who do you trust? Whom do you trust? Who will it be? Whom will it be? Who dat? Whom that?

Some expressions in common use are not acceptable in technical writing. “Fewer” and “number” refer to measurable quantitites. Fewer people went to the grocery store this weekend than last, but the number of pastries sold increased. Not Less people went to the grocery store…

“Less” and “amount” refer to indefinite amounts. The amount of water used in the average American household has dropped 25% from its peak in the 1970’s. We will spend less money on food this week.

Relative pronouns “Who” refers to persons. “Which,” and “that” refer to things, and are distinguished according to whether the clause they begin is restrictive or nonrestrictive.

Relative pronouns “Who” refers to persons. “Which,” and “that” refer to things, and are distinguished according to whether the clause they begin is restrictive or nonrestrictive. Limits the noun’s meaning and is necessary to the sentence. The music files that I downloaded yesterday are corrupted.

Relative pronouns “Who” refers to persons. “Which,” and “that” refer to things, and are distinguished according to whether the clause they begin is restrictive or nonrestrictive. Provides additional information, but does not restrict meaning. The music files, which I purchased from Amazon.com, have a fairly high bit rate.

Idiomatic expressions (idioms) cannot be explained by rules alone. The cream of the crop To egg on Cool as a cucumber Have a finger in the pie Use your noodle In a nutshell In the soup Eat humble pie Apple of my eye Bad egg Big cheese Couch potato Cry over spilt milk Gravy train Full of beans Make one’s mouth water Take with a grain of salt Nutty as a fruitcake Out to lunch Piece of cake Souped up Bring home the bacon Butter up Half baked Sell like hotcakes Cup of tea In the soup Generally speaking, as a technical editor, you shouldn’t soup up an author’s language unless you are the big cheese. If you must have your finger in the pie, make sure your ideas are not half baked, lest you be viewed as nutty as a fruitcake. And DO NOT mess up the idiom, or you’ll be in the soup.And DO NOT mess up the idiom, or you’ll be in the soup.