TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:myself / reflexive pronouns used by themselves From:Fran Freiman <ffreiman -at- IX -dot- NETCOM -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 24 Apr 1995 12:31:49 -0700
Cathy (and others following this thread):
I am copyediting the 4th edition of the book <i>The Encyclopedia of
Occultism and Parapsychology</i> and happened upon an excerpt from
<i>An Historical, Physiological, and Theological Treatise of Spirits,
Apparitions, Witchcrafts, and Other Magical Practices</i> written by
John Beaumont and PUBLISHED in 1705!!
"I had two spirits, who contantly attended me ... and several
spirits would call at my chamber door.... The two spirits that
constantly attended MYSELF appeared both in women's habit...."
[caps added for emphasis].
This little idiosyncrasy (using reflexive pronoun without the main noun
or pronoun) has been around for hundreds of years, apparently. I'm not
going to say that makes it right; just that we aren't likely to get rid
of it. I doubt I'll ever (from here on in???) point it out as an error,
but that's the kind of thing I quietly correct when I find it in text
intended for publication. As long as such pronouns continue to be
regarded as considered nonessential!
Signed, I never post twice anydayever.
Fran.
ffreiman -at- ix -dot- netcom -dot- com
