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More pet hates from reporters' copy

My last blog on this issue attracted the usual jibes about our journalists needing to learn how to spell and become more familiar with the rules of grammar.

Others joked that they were surprised our titles even work to a style guide.

Despite the speed at which reporters and sub editors need to work, we genuinely care about the quality of our writing.

We realise that we're not always perfect but that doesn't stop us striving to be so.

A particularly heinous phrase contained in a story that I news edited this week prompted my return to this subject.

Every journalist should read this book
Every journalist should read this book

'Our police partners' appeared in a quote from a PR. What they meant was simply 'the police'.

Use of the word partners has to be up there with the equally meaningless and particularly lazy stakeholders.

Below is a further selection of pet hates that can be found in reporters' copy.

They have been sent to me as suggestions. Please keep them coming to lwhitlock@thekmgroup.co.uk

I also dug out my copies of Essential English For Journalists, Editors and Writers by Harold Evans and Waterhouse On Style by Keith Waterhouse.

They are brilliant and should be read and read again by all professional journalists.

Your pet hates

It will be open from 6pm onwards - it will be open from 6pm.

Going to build new houses - as opposed to building old ones.

Slapped or hit with a fine - if they really were it would be a much better story.

HGV - lorry

Unique - it rarely is.

Quite unique - it either is or it is not.

Would-be as in would-be robber - they are still a robber but are just not very good at it.

There has been some loss of life - people have been killed/people are dead.

There were no reported injuries - no need to mention it then.

Local residents - well they would be local if they live there. In fact this applies to any use of the word local.

Dead body - as opposed to a live one.

Amenities - shops. This is a favourite of estate agents.

Literally - often confused with metaphorically ie he literally went up in smoke.

Abrasions and contusions - cuts and bruises

Ahead of schedule - early

In the early hours of Monday morning - it's obviously the morning if it's in the early hours

8pm in the evening - well it wouldn't be in the morning would it?

They were all remanded in custody until a later date - they were remanded in custody

Emergency services attended the scene/the event was attended by the Lord Mayor - no one says the word attended in real life.

And there is this gem from our production editor: "But I love 'a buffet was laid on by the mayor and his wife'."

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