Not those kind of four-letter words. But in the same way you might ask yourself whether those four-letter words are necessary in your prose, you will want to check your use of these words: both and only.
Wait, you’re thinking, isn’t both the kind of word you need to make your writing clear? It can be. But there are also times it can create just enough confusion to make a reader stumble. And that’s something you want to avoid.
Consider this sentence:
- The administration notified both teachers and parents of the pending budget dilemma.
