Why ‘Interpreting’ Scripts Is a Dangerous Idea, Pt. I

A writer’s job is to communicate a story or idea to the reader, a job that isn’t always easy.
For the most part, education makes the writer’s job straightforward through the utilization of commonly agreed upon rules, such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and syntax. But when education standards slip or readers become lazy over time, the writer’s job becomes more difficult and he or she must find new (and often increasingly cumbersome ways) to make previously clear ideas even more obvious.

I’m sorry, I can’t help you anymore.
I’m sorry I can’t help you anymore. 
I’m sorry, I can’t help you any more.
I’m sorry I can’t help you any more. 

If you cannot see the four different meanings in what looks like the same sentence repeated above, then the writer has a problem. The comma indicates an apology followed by a reason for the apology, whereas the version of the line without the comma indicates the regret is reserved for not being able to assist. Further, the adverb ‘anymore’ (referring to an any longer) has an entirely different meaning to the determiner ‘any more’ (indicating even the smallest

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Why ‘Interpreting’ Scripts Is a Dangerous Idea, Pt. I

A writer’s job is to communicate a story or idea to the reader, a job that isn’t always easy.
For the most part, education makes the writer’s job straightforward through the utilization of commonly agreed upon rules, such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and syntax. But when education standards slip or readers become lazy over time, the writer’s job becomes more difficult and he or she must find new (and often increasingly cumbersome ways) to make previously clear ideas even more obvious.

I’m sorry, I can’t help you anymore.
I’m sorry I can’t help you anymore. 
I’m sorry, I can’t help you any more.
I’m sorry I can’t help you any more. 

If you cannot see the four different meanings in what looks like the same sentence repeated above, then the writer has a problem. The comma indicates an apology followed by a reason for the apology, whereas the version of the line without the comma indicates the regret is reserved for not being able to assist. Further, the adverb ‘anymore’ (referring to an any longer) has an entirely different meaning to the determiner ‘any more’ (indicating even the smallest

Go to Source