Your grammar opinion needed - should I appeal?

Some grammar rules (and embarrassing mistakes!) transcend the uniqueness of different regions and style guides. This new International Grammar section by OnlineBookClub.org ultimately identifies those rules thus providing a simple, flexible rule-set, respecting the differences between regions and style guides. You can feel free to ask general questions about spelling and grammar. You can also provide example sentences for other members to proofread and inform you of any grammar mistakes.

Moderators: Official Reviewer Representatives, Official Reviewer Representatives

Post Reply
User avatar
Emily Meadows
In It Together VIP
Posts: 571
Joined: 29 Sep 2022, 15:15
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 78
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emily-meadows.html
Latest Review: Forever Young by Karma Wiederrick

Your grammar opinion needed - should I appeal?

Post by Emily Meadows »

Mature content warning.

Hi everyone -

I got an error on one of my reviews, and I am wondering if it is indeed an error. I'd love your input, please. Is this an error or not?

Here's the sentence:
It is well-written erotica with just enough plot to be engaging for the reader.

Here's what the editor gave as feedback/an error:
It is well-written erotica with just enough plot to be engaging for the reader. (a)

I think they are saying that I should have written, "It is a well-written erotica with just enough plot to be engaging for the reader."

I feel like the sentence sounds better written the way I originally wrote it, but the grammar checkers are accepting the second version as well. What do you think? Should I appeal? It's 10 points. :)

Thanks for your help!
User avatar
Blackstenius
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 521
Joined: 30 Nov 2022, 06:33
Favorite Book: The Magician's Secret
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 51
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-blackstenius.html
Latest Review: Amora by Grant Hallstrom

Post by Blackstenius »

I think you should request a recheck, as both versions of the sentence are correct.
The gift turned out to be a curse. They killed him with kindness.
FunkyFlowerLady
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 783
Joined: 14 Apr 2022, 02:11
Favorite Book: Terms of Service
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 102
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-funkyflowerlady.html
Latest Review: Stage Fright by John Gore

Post by FunkyFlowerLady »

I'm not the best on grammar, but I do think the editor's feedback is valid.
User avatar
Blackstenius
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 521
Joined: 30 Nov 2022, 06:33
Favorite Book: The Magician's Secret
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 51
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-blackstenius.html
Latest Review: Amora by Grant Hallstrom

Post by Blackstenius »

FunkyFlowerLady wrote: 05 Jan 2023, 07:50 I'm not the best on grammar, but I do think the editor's feedback is valid.

On second thought, I think editor's right, since you're only talking about one particular book - the one you had reviewed. If you were talking about more than one book then it'd be right to exclude the article 'a.'
The gift turned out to be a curse. They killed him with kindness.
FunkyFlowerLady
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 783
Joined: 14 Apr 2022, 02:11
Favorite Book: Terms of Service
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 102
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-funkyflowerlady.html
Latest Review: Stage Fright by John Gore

Post by FunkyFlowerLady »

shemedward wrote: 05 Jan 2023, 08:19
FunkyFlowerLady wrote: 05 Jan 2023, 07:50 I'm not the best on grammar, but I do think the editor's feedback is valid.

On second thought, I think editor's right, since you're only talking about one particular book - the one you had reviewed. If you were talking about more than one book then it'd be right to exclude the article 'a.'
Thanks for backing up my opinion with your intellectual knowledge haha!
User avatar
Emily Meadows
In It Together VIP
Posts: 571
Joined: 29 Sep 2022, 15:15
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 78
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emily-meadows.html
Latest Review: Forever Young by Karma Wiederrick

Post by Emily Meadows »

Super helpful, both of you!
User avatar
Diana Lowery
Moderator
Posts: 3368
Joined: 11 Feb 2019, 07:39
Currently Reading: The Exchange
Bookshelf Size: 367
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-diana-lowery.html
Latest Review: Dragons to Butterflies by Johnnie Calloway
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Post by Diana Lowery »

Emily Meadows wrote: 05 Jan 2023, 12:06 Super helpful, both of you!
I think both might be correct, but here is some information that proves that your way is acceptable.

The definition states that erotica is an uncountable noun. Perdue Owl states that uncountable nouns do not use indefinite articles.
Uncountable nouns never take the indefinite article (a or an), but they do take singular verbs. The is sometimes used with uncountable nouns in the same way it is used with plural countable nouns, that is, to refer to a specific object, group, or idea.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... tives.html


Definition of erotica noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
erotica noun
/ɪˈrɒtɪkə/
/ɪˈrɑːtɪkə/
[uncountable]
​books, pictures, etc. that are intended to make somebody feel sexual desire
User avatar
Emily Meadows
In It Together VIP
Posts: 571
Joined: 29 Sep 2022, 15:15
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 78
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emily-meadows.html
Latest Review: Forever Young by Karma Wiederrick

Post by Emily Meadows »

diana lowery wrote: 06 Jan 2023, 07:56
Emily Meadows wrote: 05 Jan 2023, 12:06 Super helpful, both of you!
I think both might be correct, but here is some information that proves that your way is acceptable.

The definition states that erotica is an uncountable noun. Perdue Owl states that uncountable nouns do not use indefinite articles.
Uncountable nouns never take the indefinite article (a or an), but they do take singular verbs. The is sometimes used with uncountable nouns in the same way it is used with plural countable nouns, that is, to refer to a specific object, group, or idea.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... tives.html


Definition of erotica noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
erotica noun
/ɪˈrɒtɪkə/
/ɪˈrɑːtɪkə/
[uncountable]
​books, pictures, etc. that are intended to make somebody feel sexual desire
This is fascinating and you are amazing for finding it. Thank you Diana!
User avatar
Shane Lucey
Posts: 64
Joined: 27 Dec 2022, 04:01
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shane-lucey.html
Latest Review: The Freedom Building by Martin Kendall
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Shane Lucey »

It is well-written erotica with just enough plot to keep the reader fully engaged.

Personally I think that sounds a lot better. The “a” is not necessary in this case since you are referring to a genre.

Another example that illustrates this concept:

“It is well-written fiction…”
User avatar
Ben Madeley
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 390
Joined: 19 Jan 2023, 09:21
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 47
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ben-madeley.html
Latest Review: Cynthia and Dan by Dorothy May Mercer

Post by Ben Madeley »

Yes, I think you can prove your way is correct, so you should appeal it. Also even if the editor doesn't agree with you, appealing will give you an opportunity to ask for an explanation from the editor.
User avatar
Donna Walker
In It Together VIP
Posts: 482
Joined: 21 Aug 2021, 13:42
Currently Reading: East Wind, 2nd Edition
Bookshelf Size: 210
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-donna-walker.html
Latest Review: The Warrior's Meditation by Richard L Haight

Post by Donna Walker »

I think that both are correct and that the editor may be being a little too picky here. though personally, I prefer it with the addition of the "a."
 
User avatar
Donna Walker
In It Together VIP
Posts: 482
Joined: 21 Aug 2021, 13:42
Currently Reading: East Wind, 2nd Edition
Bookshelf Size: 210
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-donna-walker.html
Latest Review: The Warrior's Meditation by Richard L Haight

Post by Donna Walker »

Donna Walker 1 wrote: 24 Feb 2023, 12:59 I think that both are correct and that the editor may be being a little too picky here. though personally, I prefer it with the addition of the "a."
 
And here's me talking about grammar mistakes while making a silly mistake in my comment. The shame. Haha. I meant:

I think that both are correct and that the editor may be being a little too picky here. Though personally, I prefer it with the addition of the "a."
Post Reply

Return to “International Grammar”