--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sentence structure is innate, but whining…" description: "\"Sentence structure is innate, but whining is acquired.\" — Woody Allen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/woody-allen-176_editing_sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining_605768.jpg" --- # Sentence structure is innate, but whining is acquired. ![“Sentence structure is innate, but whining is acquired.” quote by Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/woody-allen-176_editing_sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining_605768.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/woody-allen-176_editing_sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining_605768.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/woody-allen-176_editing_sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining_605768.jpg) > “Sentence structure is innate, but whining is acquired.” [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Natural talent shapes language, but complaining is learned behavior. **In simple terms:** Innate language, learned whining. Key Takeaway Cultivate constructive communication. Themes communication learning behavior talent Mood analytical encouraging Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - classroom - writing workshops - team meetings Key Concepts linguistics psychology Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your complaints? - How can you replace whining with problem solving? A Different Perspective Whining can become a habit that hinders progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Editing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/editing/) [Innate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innate/) [Innate Whining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innate-whining-4929098/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Sentence structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentence-structure-167286/) [Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Structure Innate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure-innate-4929100/) [Whining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whining/) [Whining Acquired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whining-acquired-4929099/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“I ran across an excerpt today (in English translation) of some dialogue/narration from the modern popular writer, Paulo Coelho in his book: Aleph.(Note: bracketed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-payne/i-ran-across-an-excerpt-today-in-english-translation-of-some-dialogue/) [Roman Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-payne/) > [I want to fall in love with beautiful women of all races. Rescue somebody every now and then, improve my painting, and improve my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-t-vollmann/i-want-to-fall-in-love-with-beautiful-women-of-all-races-rescue/) [William T. Vollmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-t-vollmann/) > [I'll never be a minimalist. The fact that the prose is more tightly controlled doesn't for a minute mean that it's minimalist. I very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/china-mi-ville/i-ll-never-be-a-minimalist-the-fact-that-the-prose-is-more-tightly/) [China Mieville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/china-mi-ville/) > [Most people write the same sentence over and over again. The same number of words-say, 8-10, or 10-12. The same sentence structure. Try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/most-people-write-the-same-sentence-over-and-over-again-the-same/) [Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/) > [With sixty staring me in the face, I have developed inflammation of the sentence structure and definite hardening of the paragraphs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/with-sixty-staring-me-in-the-face-i-have-developed-inflammation-of/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [“He had entered another imaginative world, one connected to the beginning of his life as a writer, to the Napoleonic world that had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-kaplan/he-had-entered-another-imaginative-world-one-connected-to-the/) [Fred Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-kaplan/) > [Your passion for words & sentence structure should equal a painter's passion for color & brushstroke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mcaleer/your-passion-for-words-sentence-structure-should-equal-a-painter-s/) [Andrew McAleer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mcaleer/) > [I've inherited the worst of each parent. I have my father's hypochondria and lack of concentration. I have his amorality. I have everything bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/i-ve-inherited-the-worst-of-each-parent-i-have-my-father-s/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Work hard. Don’t quit. Be appreciative, be thankful, be grateful, be respectful. Also, never whine, never complain. And always, for crying out loud, keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-keaton/work-hard-don-t-quit-be-appreciative-be-thankful-be-grateful-be/) [Michael Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-keaton/) > [While many people think that we as reporters are whining and that this is a time of war, we are really the conveyors of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-rose/while-many-people-think-that-we-as-reporters-are-whining-and-that/) [Judd Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-rose/) > [The proud spirit of the original owners of these vast prairies inherited through centuries of fierce and bloody wars for their possession, lingered last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-frank-baum/the-proud-spirit-of-the-original-owners-of-these-vast-prairies/) [L. Frank Baum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-frank-baum/) > [“It is good to be honest with God, but we must be careful that we don’t become whiners. There is nothing that aggravates my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/it-is-good-to-be-honest-with-god-but-we-must-be-careful-that-we-don-t/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) > [Stop WHINING about wanting a man, and just maybe you won't end up alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-whining-about-wanting-a-man-and-just-maybe-you-won-t-end-up-alone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) ## More by Woody Allen > [“True, science has conquered many diseases, broken the genetic code, and even placed human beings on the moon, and yet when a man of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/true-science-has-conquered-many-diseases-broken-the-genetic-code-and/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Bisexuality immediately doubles your chances for a date on Saturday night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/bisexuality-immediately-doubles-your-chances-for-a-date-on-saturday/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [In every generation there are a few people who are authentically funny. The cosmetics change. You may not be able to articulate it, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/in-every-generation-there-are-a-few-people-who-are-authentically/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [I think Frank Capra was a much craftier filmmaker, a wonderful filmmaker. He had enormous technique, and he knew how to manipulate the public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/i-think-frank-capra-was-a-much-craftier-filmmaker-a-wonderful/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [The food here is terrible, and the portions are too small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/the-food-here-is-terrible-and-the-portions-are-too-small/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Gauguin flew into a frenzy! He held my head under the X-ray machine for ten straight minutes and for several hours after I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/gauguin-flew-into-a-frenzy-he-held-my-head-under-the-x-ray-machine/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [What has gotten into you lately? Save a little craziness for menopause!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/what-has-gotten-into-you-lately-save-a-little-craziness-for-menopause/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [I enjoy the making of the film and it's something for me to do. If nobody ever comes to my films, if people don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/i-enjoy-the-making-of-the-film-and-it-s-something-for-me-to-do-if/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Why does man kill? He kills for food. And not only food: frequently there must be a beverage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/why-does-man-kill-he-kills-for-food-and-not-only-food-frequently/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [A stockbroker is someone who invests other people's money until it is all gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/a-stockbroker-is-someone-who-invests-other-people-s-money-until-it-is/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Man cannot live by bread alone. Every once in awhile he needs a salad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/man-cannot-live-by-bread-alone-every-once-in-awhile-he-needs-a-salad/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [All literature is a footnote to Faust. I have no idea what I mean by that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/all-literature-is-a-footnote-to-faust-i-have-no-idea-what-i-mean-by/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [There are two important things in the world, the first is sex. The other isn't all that important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/there-are-two-important-things-in-the-world-the-first-is-sex-the/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [You can't ride two horses with one behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/you-can-t-ride-two-horses-with-one-behind/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Is old age really so terrible? Not if you've brushed your teeth faithfully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/is-old-age-really-so-terrible-not-if-you-ve-brushed-your-teeth/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) [Explore all 935 Woody Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) ## More Editing quotes > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [Whenever I finish a film, I feel that this is the worst film that I have made. This is bound to happen because while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajkumar-hirani/whenever-i-finish-a-film-i-feel-that-this-is-the-worst-film-that-i/) [Rajkumar Hirani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajkumar-hirani/) > [A perfect movie is a different thing, but a funny movie is easy. I was really happy that I got everyone that I got.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/a-perfect-movie-is-a-different-thing-but-a-funny-movie-is-easy-i-was/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [When I see my movies on the editing table, I do think I could have done them a certain way. The satisfaction is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-nadiadwala/when-i-see-my-movies-on-the-editing-table-i-do-think-i-could-have/) [Sajid Nadiadwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-nadiadwala/) > [I've driven people mad on films that I've made - I want more takes; I want to try new lines. Then I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-grant/i-ve-driven-people-mad-on-films-that-i-ve-made-i-want-more-takes-i/) [Hugh Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-grant/) > [Songwriting is like editing. You write down all this stuff - all this bad, stupid stuff - and then you have to get rid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-hatfield/songwriting-is-like-editing-you-write-down-all-this-stuff-all-this/) [Juliana Hatfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-hatfield/) > [I think what holds people up in creative processes is the expectation of what it is they're doing. It's also the sense of judgement,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-hegarty/i-think-what-holds-people-up-in-creative-processes-is-the-expectation/) [Antony Hegarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-hegarty/) > [And then to see the whole movie, you're pretty much waiting until the end of production. And the major lifting in terms of editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/and-then-to-see-the-whole-movie-you-re-pretty-much-waiting-until-the/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I believe there's a platonic ideal for every book that is written, like there's the perfect version of the book somewhere in the ether,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-heti/i-believe-there-s-a-platonic-ideal-for-every-book-that-is-written/) [Sheila Heti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-heti/) > [“It’s easy to see what to do once it’s already been done. The difficult time is before it’s to be done, and while you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/it-s-easy-to-see-what-to-do-once-it-s-already-been-done-the-difficult/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Once you sign on as an actor, you know, you don't go to the editing room, you don't see how they cut, you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/once-you-sign-on-as-an-actor-you-know-you-don-t-go-to-the-editing/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [The momentum of production keeps you from giving up, so it's really the editing and writing phases where things can look bleakest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rian-johnson/the-momentum-of-production-keeps-you-from-giving-up-so-it-s-really/) [Rian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rian-johnson/) > [I spend a lot of time in preproduction working with authors, and a lot of time in postproduction.: editing, music, all that sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-preproduction-working-with-authors-and-a-lot/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) [Browse all 938 Editing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/editing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sentence structure is innate, but whining is acquired.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Woody Allen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining-is-acquired/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Editing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining-is-acquired/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/woody-allen-176_editing_sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining_605768.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/woody-allen-176_editing_sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining_605768.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/219/woody-allen-176_editing_sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining_605768.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sentence structure is innate, but whining is acquired.” — Woody Allen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Woody Allen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sentence structure is innate, but whining...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining-is-acquired/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/sentence-structure-is-innate-but-whining-is-acquired/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```