In periodic checks of the most common errors in LFC and LESC documents, the same issues tend to come up over and over again. Most of those issues are covered in separate videos. This video is a style stew. It looks at some errors that are slightly less common but very simple to fix.
It’s always nonreverting and nonrecurring. No hyphens.
Never use “comprised of.”
To “compose” is to form or create by putting together, to make up of smaller parts. To “comprise” is to embrace, to contain smaller parts. A total comprises its units or is composed of its units.
The United States is composed of 50 states.
The United State comprises 50 states.
With comprise, putting the whole (container) at the beginning of the sentence is best.
The bill comprises the capital outlay requests.
Use “include” if the list is incomplete.
The United States comprises 50 states. The United States includes Texas and California.
That/Which, Who/That, and Just That
Use “that” to introduce an essential or dependent clause. Use “which” if introducing a nonessential clause. If the clause can be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning, use commas and “which.”
The budget that passed prioritizes tourism.
The budget, which prioritizes tourism, would be the largest ever.
Use “who” and “whom” for people (or animals with names because we treat them like people) and “that” for things, including state agencies and school districts. Use “that” for the department, “who” for the department managers.
The housing program is for people who cannot afford rent in Santa Fe.
The agency that manages the program will receive $84.
The school district is seeking money for its community school. It would use the money for social workers.
Avoid using “that” as a conjunction – a joining word – unless the sentence sounds awkward without it. When in doubt, use that.
Wordy: Policymakers decided that $5 million would be enough.
Better: Policymakers decided $5 million would be enough.