Robert MacMillan, an editor and blogger at Reuters, writes Tuesday about the correct verb tense when writing about events that happened in the past.
”The company had agreed to let the other company examine its finances before they had struck a deal.’
“Why not, ‘The company let the other company examine its finances before they struck a deal.’ Some journalists say that they must distinguish all past events from more recent events. No they must not. And if they must, they can find an easier way. I should point out that public relations writing, as awful as it can be, rarely casts events into a deeper dimension of the past than they need to be. I strip it out of all the stories I edit. Yet, it keeps reappearing like vermin. I will continue to stamp it out.”
Read more here.
The Star Tribune is seeking an accomplished, motivated and versatile journalist and leader to shape…
The Deputy AME-Business is responsible for the development and planning of coverage on all Newsday…
CNBC.com managing editor Jeff McCracken announced Friday the following promotions: In San Francisco, Ari Levy has…
This Newsday reporter will cover Long Island’s commercial real estate market and the region’s evolving…
The New York Times is looking for a versatile editor to edit enterprise and feature…
International editor Matt Lamers is leaving Marijuana Business Daily. He has been there for seven years. Lamers…
View Comments
I only just now noticed "Verb Master." He's a pretty strapping fellow!