Figuring Out the Trick Behind [sic]

Having trouble viewing this message? [Click here to view it online.]( To unsubscribe or change contact details, scroll to the bottom and follow the link. [GrammarBook.com]( Your #1 Source for Grammar and Punctuation Figuring Out the Trick Behind [sic] We've all seen it at some point when reading: a three-letter package in brackets. It follows text to draw attention to or make a point about it. We're talking about [sic]. What is it—and when do we accurately use it? Fowler's Modern English Usage explains that sic is Latin for "so, thus." It is a complete word and so requires no punctuation for abbreviation. It is inserted within brackets after quoted text to establish its accuracy as a quotation. In essence, sic stands for "in case you're in doubt, this appeared in the original material." On that note, writers should include [sic] after something quoted only when they intuit readers will doubt it as presented. The Associated Press Stylebook further advises to exclude [sic] unless it is in material being quoted—i.e., writers should not employ it within their own writing. Common examples of quoted text prompting insertion of [sic] are obvious and likely unintentional misspellings, misused words, and imprecise statements. For instance, if quoting a political luminary known as well spoken, writers might include [sic] if the individual speaks atypically: "I just don't know what lays [sic] ahead with all of the activism mounting against the legislation," said Sen. Brackenridge. Another otherwise articulate speaker might be caught saying, "We are excited about the enormity [sic] of the attendance for this year's event." Here, the speaker is misusing the word "enormity," which means "monstrous wickedness." If quoting from a column that includes "Upon becoming a state in 1947, Israel…," writers would add [sic] after the opening phrase because Israel became a state in 1948 ("Upon becoming a state in 1947 [sic], Israel…"). At the same time, [sic] should not be used to emphasize what appears incorrect but is used intentionally. For example, a slogan for a state lottery game might read "Daily Scratch: It's a lotto pay for those who play!" Inserting [sic] after "lotto" would be unnecessary when quoting that content because most people can understand it as word play. Similarly, quoting writing or speech from different U.S. regions will often allow for variations in dialect, which could include alternate spellings, expressions, and contractions. Typographical treatment of the bracketed word is often a matter of writer's preference. Where many writers present it as [sic] (italics), others will use [sic] (no italics). The Chicago Manual of Style advises italicizing it because of its "peculiar use in quoted matter." In sum, remember [sic] applies to addressing potential reader doubt about unintentional errors in your quoted content. Also exclude it from your own writing beyond any material you quote. Maintaining these guidelines, you'll ensure that [sic] rarely—if ever—tricks you. [View and comment on this article on our website.]( [Click here to watch our video on Who, That, Which]( Pop Quiz Identify whether the insertion of [sic] in the following quoted material is warranted. Answers are at the bottom of the newsletter. 1. "I can't believe y'all [sic] got so worked up about a little break in the main pipe." (Yes / No) 2. "What the council thought was the problem proved to be vice-a-versa [sic]." (Yes / No) 3. "Irregardless [sic], the manager stuck to his lineup for the playoffs even though the GM was against it." (Yes / No) 4. "Southwest Airlines attributes much of its recent success to its emphasis on 'transfarency' [sic]." (Yes / No) The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Lester Kaufman and Jane Straus The Authority on English Grammar! Twelfth Edition Now Available An indispensable tool for busy professionals, teachers, students, homeschool families, editors, writers, and proofreaders. Available in print AND as an e-Book! Over 2,000 copies are purchased every month! To order the book, simply click the link to order the book from the [GrammarBook.com]( website. [Order Your Copy Today!]( Free BONUS Quiz for You! {NAME}, because you are a subscriber to the newsletter, you get access to one of the Subscribers-Only Quizzes. Click here to take a [Confusing Words and Homonyms Quiz]( and get your scores and explanations instantly! We will be adding many more quizzes this year to our already substantial list of them. 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"I can't believe y'all [sic] got so worked up about a little break in the main pipe." No: common regional dialect 2. "What the council thought was the problem proved to be vice-a-versa [sic]." Yes: should be vice versa 3. "Irregardless [sic], the manager stuck to his lineup for the playoffs even though the GM was against it." Yes: Irregardless is not a word 4. "Southwest Airlines attributes much of its recent success to its emphasis on 'transfarency' [sic]." No: transfarency is an intentional play on the words transparency and fare English in a Snap: 68 One-Minute English Usage Videos FREE Learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these easy-to-follow lessons. Share them with your colleagues (and boss), children, teachers, and friends as well! [Click here to watch](. Forward this e-newsletter to your friends and colleagues. 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