QUESTION |
In a formal document referring to a seasonal program is it all right to
write "In the fall, counselors resume their territories. Because this
is the most crucial time for recruiting, Fall programs include campus
visits"?
In the first usage of "fall" I am referring to as a space in time. In
the second usage, I am using it as a name. Correct or incorrect?
Thanks.
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SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
Liberty, Missouri Thu, Oct 1, 1998
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GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
"A space in time"? I don't think you're really using "Fall" as a proper noun in the second usage. It's still just an adjective. I wouldn't capitalize fall in either case here. If it's truly a proper noun, as in the Fall Festival of Small Appliances, then you'll capitalize it.
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QUESTION |
What is the rule for making sure a list of verbs in a sentence has a parallel structure? As a copy editor, I am constantly running into sentences such as:
"We want to meet customers' evolving retirement savings needs, invest in new technologies, compete aggressively in the global marketplace and make acquistions."
I am pretty sure that the sentence should read:
"We want to meet customers' evolving retirement savings needs, TO invest in new technologies, TO compete agressively in the global marketplace and TO make acquisitions."
Please confirm if I am right!
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SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Thu, Oct 1, 1998
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GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
Well, I'd like to, and I don't want to say that your rendering of the sentence is wrong, but it isn't really necessary to repeat the lead-in parts of the parallel elements (i.e., you can omit the "to" of the infinitive in subsequent phrases).
Authority: The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers by Chris M. Anson and Robert A. Schwegler. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.: New York. 1997. p. 370.
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QUESTION |
When writing the sentence, "We are on board," should "on board" be two words or one, as it is when used as an adjective? Secondly, then, what part of the sentence is "on board" in this example? Finally, when, definitively, should we use "on board" vs. "onboard"?
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SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
St. Louis, Missouri Thu, Oct 1, 1998
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GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
You're almost always going to use "on board" (two words). Occasionally, you'll run into something like a spacecraft employing its onboard computers (when it's being used as an adjective, as you point out).
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QUESTION |
I'm not sure of using the pronouns:
e.g I and Mary / Mary and I
Me and my friend / My friends and me/I
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SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia Sat, Oct 3, 1998
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GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
In one of the few areas of English in which we record a level of politeness, the other person comes before me or I. Then, when you're using a pronoun as subject, you use "I"; when you're using the pronoun in the object place, you use "me." My friends and I are going to the movies. They gave tickets to my friends and me.
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QUESTION |
Should you always place a comma after using "i.e." or "e.g." ?
For example:
- (i.e., the tall one in the corner)
- (e.g., the red shoe manufacture)
or is this correct?
- (i.e. the tall one in the corner)
- (e.g. the red shoe manufacture)
I'm betting you should always use the comma.
Thank you.
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SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
Atlanta, Georgia Sat, Oct 3, 1998
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GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
I'm not sure what a "red shoe manufacture" is, but yes, put a comma after the e.g. and i.e. because they always serve as an introductory modifying phrase. Most of the reference manuals I use suggest using "for example" or "that is" instead of their latin equivalents.
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QUESTION |
When writing a degree title is is correct not to capitalize, such as:
- 1) Mr. Jones received his bachelor's of science degree at Cornell Univ.
and:
- 2) He attended Cornell University where he received a bachelor of science in ornithology.
I have seen it listed in some style books as NOT being capitalized. Are we in a habit of capitalizing this title, when it is not a proper noun? Is it proper as in sample #2?
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SOURCE OF QUESTION & DATE OF RESPONSE |
Lake Worth, Florida Sat, Oct 3, 1998
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GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE |
As far as the capitalization goes, yes, #2 is correct. The writing manuals seem to be getting away from the capitalization of majors and degrees -- unless they're part of list -- say, in a list of majors in a commencement program or a list of departments to which someone might apply.
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