Drag or drug? February 1, 2008
The past tense of drag is dragged . . . not drug!
“I dragged the Christmas tree across the parking lot.”
NOT: “I drug my Christmas tree across the parking lot.”
Than or then? February 1, 2008
(From Gregg Style Manual, p.342)
Than is a conjunction (a “joining word”) introducing a dependent clause of comparison. Then is an adverb (an “adjective” for a verb) meaning “at that time” or “next.”
Example: The compulsory retirement age is higher now than it was then.
Proofreading Tip February 1, 2008
Since I’m a woman, I’m allowed to change my mind. Most of you have attended my basic proofreading class and I shared with you that I always print out a hard copy of what I’m proofing before editing it the first time. Lately, I’ve been doing the “20 pt. papyrus” technique and then printing it to proof it. It’s been saving me a lot of time. Just thought I’d share that with you. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s the original TIP!
(From Visual Thesaurus article by Daphne Gray-Grant)
I recommend that you always print out the copy you are proofing/editing, but when you are not able to do that, here’s a great suggestion from the above article by Daphne Gray-Grant.
“Use a distinctive typeface and bump up the point size before proofing. When I am forced to proof on screen, I use Papyrus 20 point—this makes it easier to catch errors.”
TIPS OF THE WEEK - LAST THREE! February 1, 2008
My third grade granddaughter had this for a homework assignment. Do you know how to punctuate these sentences?
What are you doing this weekend asked my friend
This is a little scary mumbled my friend
The teacher asked do you like this
Okay December 17, 2007
This is from Professor John Ott (Groups director extraordinaire)
I typed the word “okay” the other day and the squiggly “you didn’t spell the word right” line came up under it, which got me wondering about the expression.
Check this out (from this site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/okay ):
Word History: OK is a quintessentially American term that has spread from English to many other languages. Its origin was the subject of scholarly debate for many years until Allen Walker Read showed that OK is based on a joke of sorts. OK is first recorded in 1839 but was probably in circulation before that date. During the 1830s there was a humoristic fashion in Boston newspapers to reduce a phrase to initials and supply an explanation in parentheses. Sometimes the abbreviations were misspelled to add to the humor. OK was used in March 1839 as an abbreviation for all correct, the joke being that neither the O nor the K was correct. Originally spelled with periods, this term outlived most similar abbreviations owing to its use in President Martin Van Buren’s 1840 campaign for reelection. Because he was born in Kinderhook, New York, Van Buren was nicknamed Old Kinderhook, and the abbreviation proved eminently suitable for political slogans. That same year, an editorial referring to the receipt of a pin with the slogan O.K. had this comment: “frightful letters … significant of the birth-place of Martin Van Buren, old Kinderhook, as also the rallying word of the Democracy of the late election, ‘all correct’ …. Those who wear them should bear in mind that it will require their most strenuous exertions … to make all things O.K.”
Fun.
JO
Prepositions November 6, 2007
Here is a list of prepositions. It will help you in making subjects/verbs agree! Just take out the phrases that start with one of these words to determine if your subject is singular or plural.
about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, but, by, concerning, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, into, like, of, off, on, onto, out, outside, over, past, since, through, throughout, to, toward, under, underneath, until, up, upon, with, within, without
Dilemma October 31, 2007
October 29–Dilemma
(From Gregg Reference Manual, p. 321)
A dilemma is a situation in which one must make a choice between two or more unpleasant alternatives. Do not use dilemma as a synonym for problem or predicament.
Example: Many communities now face a common dilemma: whether to raise real estate taxes or cut essential services.
Example: Many communities now face a common problem: how to provide adequate shelter for the homeless.
Capitalization—nouns with numbers or letters October 31, 2007
A question from Amy Gerborg prompted me to look this up, so I thought I’d share some of this list with you. It’s from . . . you guessed it . . . The Gregg Reference Manual. (p. 115, Section 359)
“Capitalize a noun followed by a number or a letter that indicates sequence. EXCEPTIONS: Do not capitalize the nouns line, note, page, paragraph, size, step, and verse.
Act 1
Appendix A
Article 2
Book III
Chapter V
Grade 6
line 4
note 1
page 158
Part Three
Room 501
Section 1
size 10
step 3
Table 7
Unit 2
verse 3
Volume II
Channel 55
Affect or effect October 17, 2007
(From Gregg Reference Manual, p. 313)
Affect is normally used as a verb meaning “to influence, change, assume.” Effect can be either a verb meaning “to bring about” or a noun meaning “result, impression.”
Examples:
The court’s decision in this case will not affect [change] the established legal precedent.
She affects [assumes] an unsophisticated manner.
It is essential that we effect [bring about] an immediate improvement in sales.
It will be months before we can assess the full effect [result] of the new law.
(Note: See the Gregg Reference Manual, Section 1101, page 313, for the uses of these words in psychology.)
Who and Whom October 16, 2007
(From Gregg Reference Manual, p. 290, 1061c)
Who (or whoever) is the nominative form. Use who whenever he, she, they, I, or we could be substituted in the who clause. (If in doubt, mentally rearrange the clause as is done in parentheses after each of the following examples.)
Who is arranging the teleconference? (She is arranging the teleconference.)
Who shall I say is calling? (I shall say he is calling.) (NOT: Whom shall I say is calling?)
The matter of who should pay was not decided. (He should pay.)
James is the one who we expect will win. (We expect he will win.)
Whom (or whomever) is the objective form. Use whom whenever him, her, them, me, or us could be substituted as the object of the verb or as the object of a preposition in the whom clause.
Whom did you see today? (You did see her today.)
To whom were you talking? (You were talking to him.)
Whom were you talking about? (You were talking about him.)
There are many more examples in the Gregg Reference Manual. I ordered three extra ones and have two left, if you would like one.
