Thursday, July 7, 2011

These sentences need editing

This sentence is confused and needs editing.

Upon discovering that a dangerous opium smuggling ring is behind the murder, the ringleaders kidnap Chan and attempt to make him their next victim.

No, the ringleaders didn't discover the smuggling ring. They already knew. Let us try again:

When Chan discovers that a dangerous opium smuggling ring is behind the murder, the ringleaders kidnap Chan and attempt to make him their next victim.

Charlie Chan a victim? Never happen.

Here's a partial sentence from a Sports Illustrated story, and I think that "on Saturday" is in the wrong place:

When David Boies, 70, was added to the NFL's legal team for the fight against the players on Saturday...

I'd change it to this:

When David Boies, 70, was added Saturday to the NFL's legal team for the fight against the players...

Let's rewrite this awkward sentence just found online:

Williams said he has no magic cure to ensure another slow start by Carolina won't happen tonight.

Let's try again:

Williams said he can't ensure that Carolina won't start slow again tonight.

Contact: I can be reached at tgilli52@gmail.com or nc3022@yahoo.com. Also, my Twitter handle is EDITORatWORK.

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