|
The Grammar Logs # 142 |
|
| QUESTION |
| If this is a program to use in schools with students, why does one of the examples on INTERJECTIONS say, "Damn! I've lost my winning lottery ticket! " ???????????? What kind of example do you think that sets for our young people? |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
Vidor, Texas  Wednesday, June 10, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| Given the speaker's context, it's a good one. I'm sorry if the example offends you, though. In fact, I just changed it to "Wow! I just won the lottery!" |
| QUESTION |
What is the rule for determining whether a word ends with 'able' or 'ible'?
examples: imperceptible, unbelievable, implausibleIf not a rule, is word origin? Thank you. |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| Tulsa, Oklahoma Wednesday, June 10, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| I don't think there is such a rule or device for remembering which ending to use. I'll post this question and useless response in case someone else who knows might read this and e-mail us the answer. |
| QUESTION |
When quoting a portion of a document containing a spelling error, what is the correct annotation to use acknowledging the spelling but maintaining the exact quote?
Example: "...all items were to small for our type of equipment."The "to" should be "too". I know that there's something in [] that I should use but I cannot recall what. Thanks! |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| Auburn, Washington Wednesday, June 10, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| You could put [sic] immediately after the misspelled word. Frankly, unless the actual spelling is extremely important, I'd change the spelling for whomever you are quoting. Perhaps you're trying to make some point about the spelling in an ad or something? If so, then using the [sic] will show that you know better but the original author apparently didn't. |
| QUESTION |
| O.K. I've printed all the information everyone has re plural and possessive forms, and for the life of me, I can't get it! I know about "John's car" but the other times(?) to add 's, throws(?) me. I once had a boss that was degreed in public relations, and he gave me a simple rule of thumb, but I've since forgotten. Is there a simple rule that I can use? I'm in the process of writing a legal brief and if it is not correct, the Court will not take the time to read it. |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| Lakeland, Florida Wednesday, June 10, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| I'm not sure I understand your question. Have you visited our section on Plurals and Possessives? That should clear up any confusion you've got regarding the use of 's to show possession. You would also use 's to show the contraction for he is -- he's or it is -- it's. And, as far as plurals are concerned, you would use the apostrophe only in very limited situations: he scored four 10's on his spelling quizzes. She got four A's last semester. I think you're worried about something that isn't really a problem, but you might have to get more specific. |
| QUESTION |
Questions:
|
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| Taipei, Taiwan Thursday, June 11, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| 1. You would want to say "six feet tall." When the word appears between a number and a noun, however, you can use "foot": I have a 6-foot pole in the trunk of my car. Otherwise, use "feet": the pole is six feet long, etc. 2. The action of getting your haircut is a completed action, so you want the past tense: "I had my hair cut last month." If you use the word "haircut," you would probably use "got": "I got my haircut last month." You can get either your hair cut or your haircut. |
| QUESTION |
| What's the difference between 'concerning' and 'regarding'? What's the difference between 'provide' and 'offer'? Should we say 'provide services' or 'offer services'? Thanks :) |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| Unknown Thursday, June 11, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| I don't think there's much difference between these words. "Offer" might carry a bit more of a suggestion that the services can be accepted or rejected; "provided," I think, suggests that the services are less likely to be rejected (i.e., "offer" is a bit more tentative?). For concerning and regarding, I suggest you look at a good dictionary, because it depends on what you want; these words have many meanings in common. |
| QUESTION |
Which, if either, of the following statements is correct (was vs. were)?
Thanks! |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| New York, New York Thursday, June 11, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| You want were in that sentence. It is an appropriate use of the Subjunctive. (Look up the subjunctive with that hyperlink, but write back if you still have questions.) |
| QUESTION |
| Do you capitalize a person's job title? The Chicago Manual of Style says "... titles following a personal name or used alone in place of a name are, with few exceptions, lowercased." The Handbook of Technical Writing says "Job titles with personal names are capitalized." I give up! |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| Ferndale, Washington Thursday, June 11, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| I don't blame you. I have a feeling that the Chicago manual is probably in the minority on this issue. As authoritative as it is, I don't really understand why we wouldn't capitalize someone's title when it comes right after that person's name. I guess that's the way of the future, though. I think it's borrowed from current journalistic conventions. (My Chicago book is dated 1993; when did your Handbook come out? Not that the latest word is necessarily the best word, but it might be a measure of what's acceptable writing for today.) Whatever you do, though, be consistent -- from CEO to Clerk (or ceo to clerk). |
| QUESTION |
| How do you determine when to use "a" as opposed to "an"? Does the use of a vowel play a part? I seem to remember that
you use an in front of a word beginning with a vowel. Otherwise,
you are to use a...except when you are using historic or historical.
Is there a more definitive rule?
Am I remembering wrong?
Please respond. AND...Thanks. |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| Sagamore Hills, Ohio Thursday, June 11, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| Please visit our section on Articles and Determiners. These issues (and more) are covered there. If you have any questions afterward, however, be sure to write again. |
| QUESTION |
Please settle an arguement for me. Is this sentence correct?
"Unfortunately, it is those parents who would rather avoid complications, rather than learn about them, that leave their children behind the times."The problem I am having is in regard to the use of the word "that", instead of "who/whom". I am curious to know if using "that" is acceptable at all (even though it may not be a good choice). Using "who" twice in one sentence seems a bit redundant. |
| SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
| Woodland Hills, California Friday, June 12, 1998
|
| GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
| I don't know if who is really redundant in that sentence, but you can use the relative pronoun that to refer to groups of people in a generic way (as you would in that sentence). If you get specific -- the Southern Baptists at the recent convention -- then you probably ought to lean toward using who; otherwise, that is acceptable. (Do the parents learn about the complications or from them?) Authority: New York Public Library Writer's Guide to Style and Usage HarperCollins: New York. 1994. 140. Cited with permission.
|
Previous Grammar Log