The Grammar Logs -- Number Thirty

The
Grammar
Logs
# 30

Question I have heard the word "acronistic" or "akronistic" used by two of my professors. I cannot find either of these entries in the dictionary. Have you heard of a word like this? What does it mean? I am not confusing it with anachronistic.
I also have some confusion to when when I should use "suppose to" or "supposed to." Can you clear this up for me? Thanks.
Source & Date
of Question Unknown
2 October 1997
Grammar's
Response First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You have posed the 300th Question to ASK GRAMMAR. You did not supply us with a proper address, however, so we cannot ship you your prize -- a new home. Too bad.
I don't find those words in any of my dictionaries, including my ancient unabridged Websters. Unless they're creating a word that has to do with the creation of acronyms? Or they're saying "agonistic," which would have to do with the characters in a play or the combatants in a political struggle? Or, maybe you're not confusing it with "anachronistic," but they are? I suggest you ask your professors. If they're upset with your asking, there's something wrong with them.
If you're writing "suppose to," you're probably writing it wrong. I can't think of a situation in which "suppose to" would be correct, although there probably are situations in which it would work. When you hear "suppose to," people have dropped the "d" as they slide from the "s" sound to the soft "t" sound of "to." The same thing happens with "used to." Write it with the "d" even though that sound tends to disappear in speech.

Question Which is preferred: ...make changes to the law OR ...make changes in the law ?
Is there a rule to help determine what preposition to use with CHANGE?
Source & Date
of Question Fairfax, Virginia
2 October, 1997
Grammar's
Response I don't think there are any rules in a matter such as this. "In the law" sounds somewhat better to me, though I can't explain why. A bit less peremptory? Is there something wrong with "Let's change the law"?

Question
This went out in an E-mail, and I need to know which is correct and why.
Please extend this invitation to WHOEVER is going to make the Gas Turbine presentation.
Is it Whoever or Whomever?

Source & Date
of Question Schenectady, New York
3 October 1997
Grammar's
Response In this case you are looking for the SUBJECT form of the pronoun, whoever, because you need the subject for that clause, "WHOEVER is going to make the Gas Turbine presentation." That entire clause, then, becomes the object of the preposition "to." In other words, you need the subject of the clause here, not the object of the preposition.
Careful writers (which must include your e-mail friend) would use whoever in this sentence; many writers wouldn't care. Congratulations on being among the former!

Question
Please, I am in doubt about the use of some and any in these sentences. Here is the pattern:
"There is some sugar in the bowl."
Now, if I want to make a sentence for this pattern, using "told one that", "said that", or "asked if ", should I say:
"Did Mary say there was some sugar in the bowl? " , or
"Did Mary say there was any sugar in the bowl? ".....
And...
"Mary didn't say there was some sugar in the bowl". , or
"Mary didn't say there was any sugar in the bowl." ??
And when I make a sentence for "told one that", following the same pattern, should I use the past simple, or the past perfect ?
Mary told me that there was some sugar in the bowl., or
Mary told me that there had been some sugar in the bowl ??
Thanks a lot.

Source & Date
of Question Brazil
3 October 1997
Grammar's
Response All of your sentences are correct. The difference between any and some is that the word any is more apt to be stressed, especially when the meaning suggests "any sugar at all." In your question on tense, the simple past will do the trick, although there is nothing wrong with the past perfect in this sentence.
If this doesn't answer your question, please write back.

Question
Which of the following is correct:
electric signals
or
electrical signals
??THANKS

Source & Date
of Question Sunderland, Massachusetts
3 October 1997
Grammar's
Response Technically, electrical is the word you want here. There are certain conditions on the use of this word, however, and I would refer you to Michael Quinion's little article on electric/electrical in his Wide World of Words.

Question I am fairly certain that my childhood English teachers instructed me to separate sentences with double spaces. However, today's computerized grammar tools such as MS Office '97 will remove the extra spaces. Was I instructed incorrectly or are both formats correct?
Thank you for your help.
Source & Date
of Question Forest Hills, New York
5 October 1997
Grammar's
Response As far as I know, the APA Publication Manual was the first authority to stipulate that there should be only one space after end marks of all kinds. The reason is, as you point out, that modern word-processors can handle the aesthetics of punctuation marks just fine all by themselves, and if you try to help them out with two spaces, it can just screw up the spacing, especially when you go from one format to another. If you were using an old-fashioned typewriter or a typewriter-like font, it would be appropriate to use two spaces after a period.

Question I am enrolled in college after being out of school 13 years. I took a placement test in English and it shows that I need English Composition and grammar. All classes are full until the beginning of January 98. I would like to begin studying to retake my English placement test to get a higher score. What books could you suggest that would improve my grammar and composition? I am also a German citizen with English being my second language. I taught myself English at age 11. Any advice that you may offer would be greatly appreciated.
Source & Date
of Question San Diego, California
5 October 1997
Grammar's
Response I personally like The Little, Brown Handbook (Fowler, Aaron & Limburg), but a lot of my colleagues prefer The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers (Anson & Schwegler) or The St. Martin's Handbook (Glenn, Graves, Nelms & Quon). There are dozens of such books, however, and it might be wise to go to the college you're enrolling in and consult the English Department or bookstore to see if they have a favorite text for you to look at that will give you a running start.

Question I, like my son, was taught in school that the vowels in the English alphabet are "a," "e," "i," "o," "u" and sometimes "y" and "w." My husband, however, insists that "w" is never used as a vowel in the English language. First, name the vowels in the English alphabet, and then, if "w" is considered a vowel, provide an example of word in which "w" is used as a vowel.
Source & Date
of Question Atlanta, Georgia
6 October 1997
Grammar's
Response Except for a handful of weird words, mostly borrowed from other languages (such as "cwm," which is a Welsh word for valley, pronounced koom), I don't know of any words that use "w" as a vowel. A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y (as in my and sky) are our vowels. In the reference manuals I have, "w" is categorized as a "glide consonant," (along with "y," by the way) which describes what happens in your mouth when you say a word containing "w." Some people might argue that a word such as "wreath" is pronounced differently than the same word if it were spelled "reath," and if that is so, then maybe the "w" is making a vowel-like difference? These people probably have other ridicwlws ideas.

Question Hello. I have two questions for you. I hope you can help.
The abbreviation "q.v." stands for "which see," correct? What exactly does that mean? Isn't there also a q.q.v?
My second question is about "c/o" usage. How should one use this when sending a letter? Thanks for your time.
Source & Date
of Question Unknown
6 October 1997
Grammar's
Response Yes, q.v. means "which see" in Latin. It is used before a reference as an encouragement to the reader to look up the reference which is then cited. If there is a q.q.v., I don't know what it means, nor have I ever seen it used.
I don't know how that c/o ever came to be, but it means "in care of" and is used in an address. If I know you're living at your brother's house, I can address a letter to you as follows:
Your Name
c/o Your brother's name
Address
Why it's a slash mark instead of periods, don't ask.

Question How do I enter an internet source of information for a works cited page?
Source & Date
of Question Phoenix, Arixona
7 October 1997
Grammar's
Response Please check out our two guides for writing research papers. The first is based on MLA-style of documentation, at http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/mla and the second is based on APA-style documentation, at http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/apa .

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Question	Which is preferred: ...make changes to the law OR ...make changes in the law ? Is there a rule to help determine what preposition to use with CHANGE?
Source & Date of Question	Fairfax, Virginia 2 October, 1997
Grammar's Response	I don't think there are any rules in a matter such as this. "In the law" sounds somewhat better to me, though I can't explain why. A bit less peremptory? Is there something wrong with "Let's change the law"?

Question	This went out in an E-mail, and I need to know which is correct and why. Please extend this invitation to WHOEVER is going to make the Gas Turbine presentation. Is it Whoever or Whomever?
Source & Date of Question	Schenectady, New York 3 October 1997
Grammar's Response	In this case you are looking for the SUBJECT form of the pronoun, whoever, because you need the subject for that clause, "WHOEVER is going to make the Gas Turbine presentation." That entire clause, then, becomes the object of the preposition "to." In other words, you need the subject of the clause here, not the object of the preposition. Careful writers (which must include your e-mail friend) would use whoever in this sentence; many writers wouldn't care. Congratulations on being among the former!

Question	Please, I am in doubt about the use of some and any in these sentences. Here is the pattern: "There is some sugar in the bowl." Now, if I want to make a sentence for this pattern, using "told one that", "said that", or "asked if ", should I say: "Did Mary say there was some sugar in the bowl? " , or "Did Mary say there was any sugar in the bowl? "..... And... "Mary didn't say there was some sugar in the bowl". , or "Mary didn't say there was any sugar in the bowl." ?? And when I make a sentence for "told one that", following the same pattern, should I use the past simple, or the past perfect ? Mary told me that there was some sugar in the bowl., or Mary told me that there had been some sugar in the bowl ?? Thanks a lot.
Source & Date of Question	Brazil 3 October 1997
Grammar's Response	All of your sentences are correct. The difference between any and some is that the word any is more apt to be stressed, especially when the meaning suggests "any sugar at all." In your question on tense, the simple past will do the trick, although there is nothing wrong with the past perfect in this sentence. If this doesn't answer your question, please write back.

Question	Which of the following is correct: electric signals or electrical signals ??THANKS
Source & Date of Question	Sunderland, Massachusetts 3 October 1997
Grammar's Response	Technically, electrical is the word you want here. There are certain conditions on the use of this word, however, and I would refer you to Michael Quinion's little article on electric/electrical in his Wide World of Words.

Question	I am fairly certain that my childhood English teachers instructed me to separate sentences with double spaces. However, today's computerized grammar tools such as MS Office '97 will remove the extra spaces. Was I instructed incorrectly or are both formats correct? Thank you for your help.
Source & Date of Question	Forest Hills, New York 5 October 1997
Grammar's Response	As far as I know, the APA Publication Manual was the first authority to stipulate that there should be only one space after end marks of all kinds. The reason is, as you point out, that modern word-processors can handle the aesthetics of punctuation marks just fine all by themselves, and if you try to help them out with two spaces, it can just screw up the spacing, especially when you go from one format to another. If you were using an old-fashioned typewriter or a typewriter-like font, it would be appropriate to use two spaces after a period.

Question	I am enrolled in college after being out of school 13 years. I took a placement test in English and it shows that I need English Composition and grammar. All classes are full until the beginning of January 98. I would like to begin studying to retake my English placement test to get a higher score. What books could you suggest that would improve my grammar and composition? I am also a German citizen with English being my second language. I taught myself English at age 11. Any advice that you may offer would be greatly appreciated.
Source & Date of Question	San Diego, California 5 October 1997
Grammar's Response	I personally like The Little, Brown Handbook (Fowler, Aaron & Limburg), but a lot of my colleagues prefer The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers (Anson & Schwegler) or The St. Martin's Handbook (Glenn, Graves, Nelms & Quon). There are dozens of such books, however, and it might be wise to go to the college you're enrolling in and consult the English Department or bookstore to see if they have a favorite text for you to look at that will give you a running start.

Question	I, like my son, was taught in school that the vowels in the English alphabet are "a," "e," "i," "o," "u" and sometimes "y" and "w." My husband, however, insists that "w" is never used as a vowel in the English language. First, name the vowels in the English alphabet, and then, if "w" is considered a vowel, provide an example of word in which "w" is used as a vowel.
Source & Date of Question	Atlanta, Georgia 6 October 1997
Grammar's Response	Except for a handful of weird words, mostly borrowed from other languages (such as "cwm," which is a Welsh word for valley, pronounced koom), I don't know of any words that use "w" as a vowel. A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y (as in my and sky) are our vowels. In the reference manuals I have, "w" is categorized as a "glide consonant," (along with "y," by the way) which describes what happens in your mouth when you say a word containing "w." Some people might argue that a word such as "wreath" is pronounced differently than the same word if it were spelled "reath," and if that is so, then maybe the "w" is making a vowel-like difference? These people probably have other ridicwlws ideas.

Question	How do I enter an internet source of information for a works cited page?
Source & Date of Question	Phoenix, Arixona 7 October 1997
Grammar's Response	Please check out our two guides for writing research papers. The first is based on MLA-style of documentation, at http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/mla and the second is based on APA-style documentation, at http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/apa .