Impractical proofreaders
I’ve just mended a dolls’ house. I’m useless with my hands so it was a botched job. But I’m a fairly good proofreader and copy-editor.
So are all proofreaders incompetent practically? Or, indeed, practically incompetent? The first would be OK. The second not!
Maybe you could argue that being a proofreader demands attention to detail. An anxiety to get things right. Perfectionism. And that repairing a dolls’ house demands the same patience and precision.
Perhaps you’re right. But I still can’t overcome my clumsiness, my cack-handedness, my all-fingers-and-thumbsness. No dexterity is needed for proofreading or editing. Impractical proofreaders and copy-editors walk among us. But attention to detail is essential.
Impractical or impracticable?
Here’s a poser, a conundrum, a old dilemma for editorial workers at the typeface of literature. These words are similar but definitely not the same. They are not interchangeable. It matters which one your author uses. And, sadly, many authors don’t distinguish them. So beware. Whenever you spot either of these words flag up danger. Should the author have used the other one?
Impracticable
Impracticable means that a task or action is impossible to carry out. It is simply not feasible to do what is needed. Usually this refers to a procedure or course of action. Anything from putting a washer on a rusted old tap to building a weightless car (not yet anyway!).
Because there was no evidence relating to the historical crime it was impracticable to bring a prosecution.
The copy-editor’s plan to publish the novel with end-papers in vellum, cross-hatched with gold leaf was impracticable. The gold wouldn’t stick.
The proofreader wanted to work from a punt moored on the Cam but vigorous wash from pleasure craft made this scheme impracticable.
Impractical
Impractical is a newer word. Nineteenth century as opposed to seventeenth. It is less formal than impracticable. Often impractical applies to people.
Richard is an impractical guy; I doubt his dolls’ house repairs will last.
Jolyon is too impractical to change a wheel on his Aston Martin.
Unpractical would also have been fine in these examples.
And sometimes impractical applies to things.
Binkie found her six-inch heels impractical for Ascot after the storm.
The speedboat was impractical for delivering coal to Newcastle.