The Grammar Logs -- Number Seventy

The
Grammar
Logs
# 70

Question So far, no dictionary, encyclopedia or architecture text has classified the sizes of types of houses systematically and objectively. Thus, I have to develop one system myself for the sake of educating my pupils. Please correct me if I am wrong somewhere:

Flat: From one-room flat to five-room flat
Condominium: Privatised flats with extra facilities
Apartment: Hybrid of condominium and terrace
Terrace: a unit of a row of houses
Semi-detached house: a house divided into two
Detached house: a stand-alone house
Mansion: a very large and impressive detached house with several rooms for various purposes
Manor: an elaborated mansion, whereby there are extensions of other buildings in the premise
Castle: the largest possible house of residence
Source & Date
of Question Singapore
14 February 1998
Grammar's
Response First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You have submitted the 700th Question to ASK GRAMMAR! And since this is St. Valentine's Day, you can have a date with the super-model of your choice. Oh, except it's already the day after Valentine's Day in Singapore, isn't it? Too bad.
I can see where these definitions would prove useful to your students. These words probably have different connotations in different countries, however. The word "flat" is not used that much in the U.S., and I would point out that you can't define the word "flat" by using the word "flat" in your definition. (The same goes for your definition of "detached house.") A condominium is privatized (i.e., owned by its resident), indeed, but it is not always configured like an apartment and is often indistinguishable from a detached house except that it is then usually grouped with similar (if not identical) residences. (In Europe, you'd have boarding houses or pensions to think about, too.) In the U.S., an apartment is nearly always rented, not owned, and I don't think the use of the word "terrace" helps much. (It's not a word we use much here in the U.S.) The words mansion and castle (don't forget palace) are such rare and easily definable residences that I don't know if they belong in your list. (Except in the Bible, where "My father's house has many mansions [or 'rooms']" has confused many a child in Sunday School.) Your "house divided in two," we would probably call a "duplex."

Question Please tell me the proper tenses and uses of the verb "to wake." A local newspaper article contained the following: "Have you awoken this morning weighed down by the prospect of doom?" It was an article on Friday the thirteenth, and I felt weighed down as soon as I read it. Surely, something which sounds that awkward can't be correct. Please help.
Source & Date
of Question Summerville, South Carolina
14 February 1998
Grammar's
Response This verb (actually these verbs -- to wake and to awaken) is one of our Notorious Confusables, and you can find it at http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/notorious/wake.htm.
It is a horrible sounding thing, but the paper used it correctly. Most of us would probably say, "Did you wake up this morning. . . ?"

Question A friend and I are curious about the following:
"We all know about the Smiths (read: jerks) and how..."
We're not exactly sure where "(read: ...)" came about or if that's how it was originally used, but our main question is how do you pronounce "read" in this setting? BTW I guessed that "(read: ...)" came about from speaches, i.e. an abbreviation of "(read aloud as: ...)."
Thanks for this site. I've been looking for something like this for quite a while.
Source & Date
of Question Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15 February 1998
Grammar's
Response I can't tell you where that "read" thing comes from, but my understanding of it is that the writer is trying to interject an "understanding" of how this word is to be understood, of what the writer really meant to say. In your example, it's as if you said "out loud" Smiths, but I'm supposed to understand that you meant to say "jerks." (You'd pronounce it "reed.") I don't think it has anything to do with a written speech or how a speech is to be delivered. I was wrong once before, though.
This is from Merriam-Webster's online: "to use as a substitute for or in preference to another word or phrase in a particular passage, text, or version -- read hurry for harry -- often used to introduce a clarifying substitute for a euphemistic or misleading word or phrase -- a friendly, read nosy, coworker." [The dictionary doesn't use parentheses, by the way, to set off the phrase but it is italicized.]

Question 1. When do you use alternate/alternative?
2. Which is correct?
a. He had better go home.
b. He better go home.

3. Which is correct?
a. I wish I brought my money.
b. I wish I had brought my money.
Source & Date
of Question Philippines
15 February 1998
Grammar's
Response Alternate/alternative is one of our Notorious Confusables.
In #2, the first sentence is preferred, but the second is acceptable in informal writing or speech. In #3, you are wishing that something had been accomplished at some point in the past, so you want the past perfect, "had brought."

Question I have recently come across the following two sentences in Time magazine. Would you please clarify my doubt on the sentences.

"All of Gulf co-ordination save Britain resists any strike against Iraq."
Here, All (Subject) is plural, however, resists (verb) is singular. Verb should not be plural?
"Given his choices, the President affirmed last week that he is not prepared to go after Sadam."
Here, "affirmed" is in past tense; however, "is not prepared" is in present tense. Is the sentence correct?
Source & Date
of Question Unknown
15 February 1998
Grammar's
Response "All" is one of those words that can be either singular or plural, depending on what it represents. "All of the water is gone. All of the marbles are gone." In this case "All of Gulf co-ordination" is one thing, so the verb wants to be the singular resists.
"Is not prepared" is appropriate in that sentence because the phrase can represent a kind of general truth (even though a politician is saying it), as in "He said he is ready, but I don't believe him." (One could also have said "He said he was ready, but I didn't believe him.")

Question I'm a teacher of English in Switzerland. For years I have been teaching my pupils that "haven't" must be followed by "got". In other words I wouldn't have accepted the sentence: "I haven't a car". However, I have been encountering precisely this phenomenon rather frequently lately. My question to you now is whether "haven't" may stand alone in a statement as well as in a question. Is this generally accepted today or is it a colloquial form slowly making its way into written English? Would you consider the three following forms equally correct?

I don't have a car.
I haven't got a car.
I haven't a car.
as well as:
Don't you have a car?
Haven't you got a car?
Haven't you a car?
Thank you very much for your information.
Source & Date
of Question Morschach, Switzerland
15 February 1998
Grammar's
Response In British English, to have (in the sense of showing possession) is often used without an auxiliary. "I haven't a car. I haven't any clothes to wear." In American English, the auxiliary do is not exactly required, but it is certainly preferred: I don't have any clothes to wear. (Notice that you wouldn't necessarily use the auxiliary in the negative: "I have no clothes.") As to the history of this distinction -- what's sneaking into what -- I don't know. The use of got, using have as an auxiliary -- I haven't got any clothes, is acceptable in informal speech and writing.
Authority: A University Grammar of English by Randolph Quirk and Sidney Greenbaum. Longman Group: Essex, England. 1993.

Question Hi. I'm an ESL teacher and I'm looking for a list of transitions and their exact meanings. One of my students recently asked me why I had crossed out "however" and substituted "nevertheless" on his paragraph. If you can recommend a list of transitions and their definitions, I'd be eternally grateful!
Source & Date
of Question Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
15 February 1998
Grammar's
Response There is a section on transitional words and expressions that ought to prove helpful. Unfortunately, the actual definitions of form words like this don't mean much; students get the hang of using them only through practice, and sometimes that means more error than trial.

Question I have many problems with who v. whom. What are the guidelines for deciding which one to use? Specifically, which would be appropriate in the following sentence?
"Who/whom should I get in touch with to join the news staff?
Thanks.
Source & Date
of Question Milwaukee, Wisconsin
15 February 1998
Grammar's
Response We don't have much on "who and whom" in the Guide, but you ought to read what's there and then take the two special quizzes on who/whom (take the second one first). By the time you're done, you'll know automatically that whom would be the right choice for your example.

Question When writing an official letter to some Government Agency, how to start the letter? This letter is going from a head of agency to County's Cheif Officer.
For example:
It is the intent of Department of Water and Power to utilize the County of XYZ's code 12.12.11 x to provide promotion to Mr. XYX.
Is the above start OK? If not, what is your suggestion?
The next paragraph looks like this:
Mr. XYZ is currently responsible for managing and maintaining the Department's existing system (ABC). In addition, Mr.XYZ is now being assigned the rtesponsibility heading a project team to create new system (DEF).
Any suggestion? I will appreciate you input. Most of the time I come accross these type of letters where one department head requests approval from his boss (big one). and I am looking some proper way to start.
Source & Date
of Question Arcadia, California
15 February 1998
Grammar's
Response I think that beginning might be worded "The Department of W & P would like to use XYZ County's Code XYZ to provide promotion to MR. X." (Whatever that means.) And then you might say that "In addition to his current responsibilities of managing and maintaining [is there a real difference there?] the Department's present ____ operations, he is now being asked to head a project team to create a new ______ system." That better? If this guy gets his raise, I want a percentage.

Question Let's assume that the login name of a computer is "guest" and the password is "guest". Which one is correct?

The login name and password are "guest".
The login name and password is "guest".
Thanks :-)
Source & Date
of Question Philippines
16 February 1998
Grammar's
Response You have a compound subject for that sentence, and they remain two different things, so you want a plural verb. If you had turned the sentence around, though, you would have a singular verb: "'Guest' is the login name and password." (Or, probably better, "'Guest' is both the login name and the password.")

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Question	Please tell me the proper tenses and uses of the verb "to wake." A local newspaper article contained the following: "Have you awoken this morning weighed down by the prospect of doom?" It was an article on Friday the thirteenth, and I felt weighed down as soon as I read it. Surely, something which sounds that awkward can't be correct. Please help.
Source & Date of Question	Summerville, South Carolina 14 February 1998
Grammar's Response	This verb (actually these verbs -- to wake and to awaken) is one of our Notorious Confusables, and you can find it at http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/notorious/wake.htm. It is a horrible sounding thing, but the paper used it correctly. Most of us would probably say, "Did you wake up this morning. . . ?"

Question	A friend and I are curious about the following: "We all know about the Smiths (read: jerks) and how..." We're not exactly sure where "(read: ...)" came about or if that's how it was originally used, but our main question is how do you pronounce "read" in this setting? BTW I guessed that "(read: ...)" came about from speaches, i.e. an abbreviation of "(read aloud as: ...)." Thanks for this site. I've been looking for something like this for quite a while.
Source & Date of Question	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 15 February 1998
Grammar's Response	I can't tell you where that "read" thing comes from, but my understanding of it is that the writer is trying to interject an "understanding" of how this word is to be understood, of what the writer really meant to say. In your example, it's as if you said "out loud" Smiths, but I'm supposed to understand that you meant to say "jerks." (You'd pronounce it "reed.") I don't think it has anything to do with a written speech or how a speech is to be delivered. I was wrong once before, though. This is from Merriam-Webster's online: "to use as a substitute for or in preference to another word or phrase in a particular passage, text, or version -- read hurry for harry -- often used to introduce a clarifying substitute for a euphemistic or misleading word or phrase -- a friendly, read nosy, coworker." [The dictionary doesn't use parentheses, by the way, to set off the phrase but it is italicized.]

Question	1. When do you use alternate/alternative? 2. Which is correct? a. He had better go home. b. He better go home. 3. Which is correct? a. I wish I brought my money. b. I wish I had brought my money.
Source & Date of Question	Philippines 15 February 1998
Grammar's Response	Alternate/alternative is one of our Notorious Confusables. In #2, the first sentence is preferred, but the second is acceptable in informal writing or speech. In #3, you are wishing that something had been accomplished at some point in the past, so you want the past perfect, "had brought."

Question	I have recently come across the following two sentences in Time magazine. Would you please clarify my doubt on the sentences. "All of Gulf co-ordination save Britain resists any strike against Iraq." Here, All (Subject) is plural, however, resists (verb) is singular. Verb should not be plural? "Given his choices, the President affirmed last week that he is not prepared to go after Sadam." Here, "affirmed" is in past tense; however, "is not prepared" is in present tense. Is the sentence correct?
Source & Date of Question	Unknown 15 February 1998
Grammar's Response	"All" is one of those words that can be either singular or plural, depending on what it represents. "All of the water is gone. All of the marbles are gone." In this case "All of Gulf co-ordination" is one thing, so the verb wants to be the singular resists. "Is not prepared" is appropriate in that sentence because the phrase can represent a kind of general truth (even though a politician is saying it), as in "He said he is ready, but I don't believe him." (One could also have said "He said he was ready, but I didn't believe him.")

Question	I have many problems with who v. whom. What are the guidelines for deciding which one to use? Specifically, which would be appropriate in the following sentence? "Who/whom should I get in touch with to join the news staff? Thanks.
Source & Date of Question	Milwaukee, Wisconsin 15 February 1998
Grammar's Response	We don't have much on "who and whom" in the Guide, but you ought to read what's there and then take the two special quizzes on who/whom (take the second one first). By the time you're done, you'll know automatically that whom would be the right choice for your example.

Question	Hi. I'm an ESL teacher and I'm looking for a list of transitions and their exact meanings. One of my students recently asked me why I had crossed out "however" and substituted "nevertheless" on his paragraph. If you can recommend a list of transitions and their definitions, I'd be eternally grateful!
Source & Date of Question	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 15 February 1998
Grammar's Response	There is a section on transitional words and expressions that ought to prove helpful. Unfortunately, the actual definitions of form words like this don't mean much; students get the hang of using them only through practice, and sometimes that means more error than trial.

Question	When writing an official letter to some Government Agency, how to start the letter? This letter is going from a head of agency to County's Cheif Officer. For example: It is the intent of Department of Water and Power to utilize the County of XYZ's code 12.12.11 x to provide promotion to Mr. XYX. Is the above start OK? If not, what is your suggestion? The next paragraph looks like this: Mr. XYZ is currently responsible for managing and maintaining the Department's existing system (ABC). In addition, Mr.XYZ is now being assigned the rtesponsibility heading a project team to create new system (DEF). Any suggestion? I will appreciate you input. Most of the time I come accross these type of letters where one department head requests approval from his boss (big one). and I am looking some proper way to start.
Source & Date of Question	Arcadia, California 15 February 1998
Grammar's Response	I think that beginning might be worded "The Department of W & P would like to use XYZ County's Code XYZ to provide promotion to MR. X." (Whatever that means.) And then you might say that "In addition to his current responsibilities of managing and maintaining [is there a real difference there?] the Department's present ____ operations, he is now being asked to head a project team to create a new ______ system." That better? If this guy gets his raise, I want a percentage.

Question	Let's assume that the login name of a computer is "guest" and the password is "guest". Which one is correct? The login name and password are "guest". The login name and password is "guest". Thanks :-)
Source & Date of Question	Philippines 16 February 1998
Grammar's Response	You have a compound subject for that sentence, and they remain two different things, so you want a plural verb. If you had turned the sentence around, though, you would have a singular verb: "'Guest' is the login name and password." (Or, probably better, "'Guest' is both the login name and the password.")