The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

by William Strunk Jr.

Factor. A hackneyed word; the expressions of which it forms part can usually be replaced by something more direct and idiomatic. a) His superior training was the great factor in his winning the match. b) He won the match by being better trained. a) Heavy artillery has become an increasingly important factor in deciding battles. b) Heavy artillery has played a constantly larger part in deciding battles. Feature. Another hackneyed word; like factor it usually adds nothing to the sentence in which it occurs. a) A feature of the entertainment especially worthy of mention was the singing of Miss A. b) (Better use the same number of words to tell what Miss A. sang, or if the programme has already been given, to tell how she sang.) As a verb, in the advertising sense of offer as a special attraction, to be avoided. Fix. Colloquial in America for arrange, prepare, mend. In writing restrict it to its literary senses, fasten, make firm or immovable, etc.