This week I have a quick and dirty tip about first versus firstly.

A meaty middle about exclamation points and a tidbit about giving someone leeway.

And now enumeration.

The words first and second are better choices than firstly and secondly for two reasons.

First, the shorter versions serve the same purpose as the longer versions and shorter

is often considered better in such cases.

Second, the LY forms get awkward when you reach bigger numbers such as seventhly and eighthly.

I've been known to disagree with strunken white, but in this case I like their take

on the matter.

They said, quote, do not dress up words by adding LY to them as though putting a hat

on a horse.

And for heaven's sake, don't mix the two forms.

If you start with first, second comes next, not secondly.

Recently I saw someone complain that all uses of enumeration are clumsy, elementary

school style, but I disagree and still use enumeration in my writing when it seems

appropriate.

I believe enumeration can make arguments easier to follow, although sometimes a bulleted

list is a good choice too.

And that was your quick and dirty tip.

First and second and firstly and secondly are both acceptable, but first and second,

the simpler choices are the better choices.

Before we get to the meaty middle about exclamation points, which is an excerpt from David Christel's

...