2026 - 3 Ways to Sharpen Your Writing with Lane Greene, Columnist from The Economist

The video features an interview with Lane Green, a language columnist at The Economist. Lane discusses his background, the topics he covers in his column, and common mistakes people make when writing in English. He provides three tips for writing with style: using simple words, avoiding cliches, and using periods effectively. The conversation also touches on cultural differences in writing styles, particularly between English and Romance languages. Lane introduces his new book, the Economist Style Guide, and concludes with closing remarks.

What is Lane Green's role at The Economist?

• Technology Columnist

• Language Columnist and Spain Correspondent

• Finance Editor

• Travel Writer

What is the purpose of Lane Green's column at The Economist?

• To analyze political events

• To explore various aspects of language

• To discuss financial trends

• To review technological advancements

What is a common mistake people make when writing in English?

• Using too many short sentences

• Overcomplicating language to impress

• Avoiding technical terms

• Using only Germanic words

What type of words does Lane Green suggest using for clarity?

• Long and complex words

• Words from Latin origin

• Simple, earthy words from Germanic stock

• Technical jargon

What is the main focus of Lane Green's book 'Writing with Style'?

• Using complex vocabulary

• Advanced grammar techniques

• Writing for academic purposes

• Simplifying writing for clarity

What does Lane Green suggest about using high-level words?

• Use them sparingly to make them stand out

• Avoid them completely

• Use them frequently to show intelligence

• Replace them with simpler words

Why should writers avoid clichés according to Lane Green?

• They are too difficult to understand

• They make writing less engaging

• They are too formal

• They are not grammatically correct

What is an example of a cliché often used in business language?

• Barking up the wrong tree

• Thinking outside the box

• Burning the midnight oil

• Breaking the ice

What is the benefit of using periods effectively in writing?

• To create complex sentence structures

• To avoid using conjunctions

• To make sentences longer

• To maintain clarity and prevent grammatical errors

How does Lane Green describe the act of understanding a sentence?

• A simple task

• A mental high wire act

• An easy process

• A straightforward activity