I AM sorry Hugh McLoughlin (Letters, March 28) appears to miss the actual trouble with “so”, which is its overuse in opening a reply, doubtless generated by the habit of BBC reporters to so begin their slot, thus setting a bad example to other contributors to a discussion.

No thought is given to how suitable this is to the context, and often no question (which would make it correct) is even hinted at. On first appearance it did offer a change from the old “Well ... “, uttered regardless of whether the information might bode ill: in origin a child’s way of beginning a story.

As to beginning a sentence with a conjunction, Mr McLoughlin’s letter well illustrates the correct use of “If”. There is a range of these which is perfectly correct, for example “When” or “Since”.

The offenders are the simple conjunctions “And” or “But”. My generation will recall the stern prohibition of opening thus in Primary days, because it’s liable to reduce the whole sentence to an unexpressive simple level.

Yet capable authors will occasionally break the rule for emphasis, or to make an arresting point. “And” is especially weak, since it begins a trend to sentences being broken up into “easy” scraps, leaving the reader to guess at connections of thought unaided.

I close with mixed feelings about “when it donned on him” in Mr McLoughlin’s letter. What does that spelling convey, I wonder? It’s good, however, to think such folk are interested in language and might yet learn.

Martin Archibald,

49 Kinpurnie Road, Paisley.

Austerity can

be overcome

IT is intriguing to note that Portugal’s budget deficit fell to 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product in 2018, the lowest level since the country returned to democracy 45 years ago. This demonstrates that there is an alternative to austerity as the deficit has fallen from 11.2 per cent of GDP in 2011 when Portugal negotiated a €78 billion bailout with the EU and the International Monetary Fund.

The reduction is mainly driven by an increase in government revenues, including taxes and social security contributions reflecting economic growth and rising employment,

Some other Eurozone countries expressed alarm when the centre-left Socialist government took power on an anti-austerity platform. However, a series of government budgets cut taxes and restored civil servants’ salaries, eased a surtax on employees’ incomes and breathed new life into the welfare system.

While we continue blindly to pursue an austerity agenda in the UK, Portugal has demonstrated that there is another way. The example set by Portugal is something we would be well-advised to follow.

Alex Orr,

Flat 3, 2 Marchmont Road, Edinburgh.

A true hero

IT was uplifting to read of the prize-giving in Paisley as part of the John Byrne National Drawing Competition (“Byrne’s winning artists”, The Herald, March 28). Some 12,000 school pupils have taken part in the competition since its launch in 2014.

It is to his great credit that he has found the inclination and time, during his multifaceted career, to play an active role in this competition. To describe him as an artist and playwright underplays his role in the artistic world. He is also a celebrated painter, theatre designer and printmaker. Coming from Ferguslie Park in Paisley, he shows how children from less favoured circumstances can overcome challenges in life and difficult situations. Let us hope he has provided inspiration to many of the 12,000 children who have taken part in a competition honoured by bearing his name.

Ian W Thomson,

38 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie.