This shortie will be the first in a series, thanks to the wonderful Coral Russell. Initially, I wanted to write something about clarity in writing. Clarity is the single most important thing in writing. However, there is too much information to cover in order to teach clear writing. But I will write something a bit lengthier on that at a later date.
So let’s get to the meat: all right versus alright. There are two considerations that have led to the problematic American usage of these words. The first is the Brits. Sorry to any U.K. writers; this information shouldn’t concern you. In U.K. usage, alright is a perfectly acceptable usage. In fact, when looking it up in the Oxford dictionary, it defines alright as a variant of all right. In some business applications and journalistic uses, alright is considered all right. However, fiction editors give one heck of a fight on this one. One of the problems is already versus all ready. Many people argue that because these are fine, then the former should be fine. However, they have entirely different definitions, so it’s not a fair comparison.
I am part of a couple of editorial forums, and this is a concept that really stirs things up. (I know. We’re dorks, right?) Most editors I have encountered agree that often, alright is not given a consistent usage by “common users,” so it’s not fair to give it a word status. That is, when you have no consistent definition of a word, how can you have a word? I agree with that. However, I also think if you have a work that is somewhat dialectical (think of Southern styles, or similar more casual styles), it seems a little silly to be so strict. However, in my own work, I am. I think the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition, has a similar feeling to what I do, as it reads: “all right. Two words. Avoid alright.” (CMOS, 16th 5.22o Good usage versus common usage)
