I found this sentence in an Illinois newspaper:
A friend just invited my husband and I to her home for some good cooking.
Did you see an error in that sentence? I'm sure you noticed that the "I" should be "me." That is because "I" is a subject, and in the example, it is used as the object of the verb "invited." I remember that when I was very young my mother suggested using the second object alone if I couldn't decide which word to use. For example, you wouldn't say "She invited I to her home," so it is equally wrong when another direct object precedes the pronoun.
Don't be afraid to show your intelligence while using correct grammar. It sounds better, it makes the meaning clearer, and it might be a good example to others who want to improve their English usage.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
An Uncomma-n Verb
This sentence is from an Illinois newspaper:
The third time the dog attacked, an officer fearing for his safety, shot the animal once.
The second comma in the sentence isn't needed because it separates the subject and the verb. It is like saying The dog, chewed the bone, which no one would do. If the writer wanted to include a phrase telling why the officer shot the dog, a third comma should be added after "officer." It would read, "The third time the dog attacked, an officer, fearing for his safety, shot the animal once." Also acceptable is "The third time the dog attacked, an officer fearing for his safety shot the dog once." Here the words "fearing for his safety" describe the officer.
Sometimes life lessons are more important than grammar lessons. In this story, a man had let two dogs get out of a fenced yard. Neighbors and police officers feared for their lives, and one dog was killed. It is important to use commas correctly to communicate well, and it is important to use common sense to live well.
The third time the dog attacked, an officer fearing for his safety, shot the animal once.
The second comma in the sentence isn't needed because it separates the subject and the verb. It is like saying The dog, chewed the bone, which no one would do. If the writer wanted to include a phrase telling why the officer shot the dog, a third comma should be added after "officer." It would read, "The third time the dog attacked, an officer, fearing for his safety, shot the animal once." Also acceptable is "The third time the dog attacked, an officer fearing for his safety shot the dog once." Here the words "fearing for his safety" describe the officer.
Sometimes life lessons are more important than grammar lessons. In this story, a man had let two dogs get out of a fenced yard. Neighbors and police officers feared for their lives, and one dog was killed. It is important to use commas correctly to communicate well, and it is important to use common sense to live well.
Monday, February 27, 2012
There, Their, Now
The following is from a reader comment in an Illinois newspaper:
Tell them that there services will no longer be needed.
You likely noticed that "there" should have been "their." "There" is an adverb, as in "Please put it over there." It can also be other parts of speech, but we can deal with those later. The referenced example needs the possessive adjective "their," showing whose services are not needed.
A similar word that can be misused is the contraction "they're," short for they are. It is a combination of the subject "they" and the verb "are," and it is neither an adverb nor a possessive adjective.
Although "there," "their," and "they're" are similar, they can never be used in place of each other. Each has its own meaning and proper usage.
Tell them that there services will no longer be needed.
You likely noticed that "there" should have been "their." "There" is an adverb, as in "Please put it over there." It can also be other parts of speech, but we can deal with those later. The referenced example needs the possessive adjective "their," showing whose services are not needed.
A similar word that can be misused is the contraction "they're," short for they are. It is a combination of the subject "they" and the verb "are," and it is neither an adverb nor a possessive adjective.
Although "there," "their," and "they're" are similar, they can never be used in place of each other. Each has its own meaning and proper usage.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Who Put the "h" in the "Str . . . ?"
This has been increasing in the last few years, and I can think of famous people who might have popularized it. To what am I referring? I refer to the annoying extra "h" sound added to words with an initial or internal "str." Listen to news broadcasts, interviews, and talk shows, and you will hear someone say "shtreet," "indushtrial shtrength," or "shtructure." This could be another example of lazy speech or of ordinary people trying to emulate and relate to celebrities. Is it really such a big deal?
No, it isn't a big deal, but it is bad enough that it will likely die out with other vocal fads. Like gravel speak, it is the artificiality of the speech that is irritating. After you listen to radio or television for examples, listen to yourself. Be sure you don't sound shtrange or, heaven forbid, even a little shtupid.
No, it isn't a big deal, but it is bad enough that it will likely die out with other vocal fads. Like gravel speak, it is the artificiality of the speech that is irritating. After you listen to radio or television for examples, listen to yourself. Be sure you don't sound shtrange or, heaven forbid, even a little shtupid.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Now and Than
Can you find the error in this Georgia newspaper ad?
We would rather sell it for less then move it!
Do you have trouble differentiating between then and than? Remember that then is often used as an adverb meaning "at that time" or "consequently," while than is a conjunction used after a comparative adjective or adverb. In the ad, the writer is comparing the preference of selling for less to having to move the inventory. It should read, "We would rather sell it for less than move it!"
Read this example using both words.
If you would rather go now than then, then you should get ready now rather than later.
In this sentence you see a comparison, an adverb, a consequence, and a comparison. It isn't a smoothly flowing sentence, but it clarifies the difference in usage between then and than. If it is still confusing, look for examples in written material that you know has been proofread. For even more entertainment, read a dictionary or grammar book!
We would rather sell it for less then move it!
Do you have trouble differentiating between then and than? Remember that then is often used as an adverb meaning "at that time" or "consequently," while than is a conjunction used after a comparative adjective or adverb. In the ad, the writer is comparing the preference of selling for less to having to move the inventory. It should read, "We would rather sell it for less than move it!"
Read this example using both words.
If you would rather go now than then, then you should get ready now rather than later.
In this sentence you see a comparison, an adverb, a consequence, and a comparison. It isn't a smoothly flowing sentence, but it clarifies the difference in usage between then and than. If it is still confusing, look for examples in written material that you know has been proofread. For even more entertainment, read a dictionary or grammar book!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Play Must of For Me
The following sentence is from a newspaper in the Chicago suburbs:
Think how abused this poor animal must of felt.
When writing, we need to think about using the correct words. The spoken word might sound like more than one word, and we need to make sure that what is written makes sense. The writer had to have been thinking "must've," and she should have written "must have" instead of "must of" to make it accurate.
We are all guilty sometimes of speaking before we think. At least if we write before we think, we can correct it before anyone notices.
Think how abused this poor animal must of felt.
When writing, we need to think about using the correct words. The spoken word might sound like more than one word, and we need to make sure that what is written makes sense. The writer had to have been thinking "must've," and she should have written "must have" instead of "must of" to make it accurate.
We are all guilty sometimes of speaking before we think. At least if we write before we think, we can correct it before anyone notices.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Make Me a Preposition I Can't Refuse
This is from a real estate company's e-mail:
(Mr. Smith) closed the following transactions between 5/19/2011 to 6/23/11.
I would prefer consistency in the writing of years, but my main concern with this message is something I see fairly often. "Between" should be followed by "and," or the dates can also be expressed as "from - to." If, in this example, the dates 5/19 and 6/23 are included, the best wording is " . . . following transactions from 5/19/2011 to 6/23/2011." Just remember, between - and or from - to. You'll find that it sounds more natural and accurate.
Until next Monday,
Gramma
(Mr. Smith) closed the following transactions between 5/19/2011 to 6/23/11.
I would prefer consistency in the writing of years, but my main concern with this message is something I see fairly often. "Between" should be followed by "and," or the dates can also be expressed as "from - to." If, in this example, the dates 5/19 and 6/23 are included, the best wording is " . . . following transactions from 5/19/2011 to 6/23/2011." Just remember, between - and or from - to. You'll find that it sounds more natural and accurate.
Until next Monday,
Gramma
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