The Great Big Grammar Help Thread

[Jetée]

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Have you read post 32 yet?

No. I forgot to make full use of my 'ctrl+F' function. Thank you for highlighting a reminder to remember.

[dd3953]

Originally Posted by Jetée

Both of the featured phrases, are, indeed, words.

There are some minute differences between the two, and their usages in different English-speaking countries (mainly the UK, Canadia, and Hong Kong, among a few others), but the two (maybe four) phrases are essentially interchangeable and still correct in grammar terms, though there are preferences for some.

Cool. Now to figure out why my spellchecker doesn't like 'sometime(s).'

[Lindy]

If I permit someone to do his own thing, do I give him "Free rein" or "Free reign?" (At least I know that it's not "Free rain.")

Lindy

[Baraka_Guru]

A rein is a harness, like what is used on a horse. According to Oxford, reign (n) means, "1 the period of rule of a monarch. 2 the period during which someone or something is predominant or pre-eminent."

The phrase "free rein" refers to the former word. It implies giving or having "freedom of action or expression." It is as though one is free from the reins that might otherwise restrict or control them. On the other hand, one can "keep a tight rein" on something or someone.

AskOxford: rein

[GreyWolf]

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

I see this error quite a bit. It's common, so don't feel so bad if you do it all the time.

When speaking about a hypothetical situation, it's easy to use the wrong form of be:

"If it was my idea, I would have made it a reality by now."

In this sentence, the speaker is speaking hypothetically. Perhaps they are speculating on how they would have handled a situation differently from someone else.

The sentence may look correct, but it should be as follows:

"If it were my idea, I would have made it a reality by now."

This is one of the things that students often are taught by rote, without context.

They will be told that "If I" MUST be followed by "were" because the "If" automatically makes it a conditional sentence.

Hence, "If I were not here, I couldn't be talking to you." That is grammatically correct.

But one can say, in an indicative mood, "If I was in Los Angeles, then I was not in New York." This is also grammatically correct, but you would be amazed how many people will correct you to say "If you WERE in Los Angeles".

I skimmed the thread, and didn't see my pet peeve, the proper use of pronouns in compound subjects/objects.

"John and I went to the store." is correct.

"The clerk gave the change to John and me." is also correct.

The trick to knowing when to use "and I" versus "and me" is simply to remove the other parties from the compound subject/obect. You would say "I went to the store.", so it's "John and I". The clerk gave me the change, so it's "to John and me".

Probably the first thing a grammaticist learns, but it's amazing how many of the general population never do.

[Pearl Trade]

Which is correct?

I like the colors red, green, blue, and yellow?
I like the colors red, green, blue and yellow?

I've always been putting the comma before the "and", but recently I found out this may not be right.

[Baraka_Guru]

Originally Posted by Pearl Trade

Which is correct?

I like the colors red, green, blue, and yellow?
I like the colors red, green, blue and yellow?

I've always been putting the comma before the "and", but recently I found out this may not be right.

This is a matter of style. The first sentence usage is referred to as the serial comma or Oxford comma. I personally prefer to use it, but others argue that it's simply unnecessary. I use it by default because in some more complex sentences the lack of a serial comma can introduce confusion. In most cases, readers should know you are using a list, making the final comma inessential because of the word and.

Just pick one style and stick with it. Using both styles interchangeably would be a problem of style.

[Jetée]

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

This is a matter of style. The first sentence usage is referred to as the serial comma or Oxford comma. I personally prefer to use it, but others argue that it's simply unnecessary. I use it by default because in some more complex sentences the lack of a serial comma can introduce confusion. In most cases, readers should know you are using a list, making the final comma inessential because of the word and.

Just pick one style and stick with it. Using both styles interchangeably would be a problem of style.

I've noticed I've begun to omit that last comma in a series because I feel it precipitate an unnecessary pause to an end in the speaking of a sentence. I've been taught, and have taught, to make well use of the Oxford comma, but now that I'm an assimilated American, I've grown to see its redundacy (in my fast-paced writing style). It's not fully gone, as I don't embace change as one full, swift motion, but I don't use it often, is all I'm trying to impart - indeed, a personal preference.

- - -

Now, why did I come in here again? Oh, yes; the illustrative (examples):

To read the rest of the infographic / educational reminder of a webcomic, click HERE

(I'm personally guily of the 'alot' clause of misusage.)

[Jetée]

On: where are you going with this? [and where is this leading us towards(s)?]

[Baraka_Guru]

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

I stumbled across this sentence. It's grammatically correct.

Have a look at the Wikipedia article to get your head around it. It should help you sharpen your grammar skills.

Here's one way of parsing it:

[Those] buffalo(es) from Buffalo [that are intimidated by] buffalo(es) from Buffalo intimidate buffalo(es) from Buffalo.

There's much more interesting detail in the article. Enjoy!

[Jetée]

excerpt:

Since it looks like an abbreviation for “until,” some people argue that this word should always be spelled “’til” (though not all
insist on the apostrophe). However, “till” has regularly occurred as a spelling of this word for over 800 years and it’s actually
older than “until.” It is perfectly good English.

-- courtesy of Non-Errors (Paul Brians).

[Baraka_Guru]

I tend to use till in books. I will avoid punctuation if I can.

[Charlatan]

This is relevant. A little slice of my childhood.

YouTube - Grammar Slammer Bammer From The HHoF

YouTube - Grammar Slammer Bammer From The HHoF

---------- Post added at 12:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

I stumbled across this sentence. It's grammatically correct.

Have a look at the Wikipedia article to get your head around it. It should help you sharpen your grammar skills.

Here's one way of parsing it:

[Those] buffalo(es) from Buffalo [that are intimidated by] buffalo(es) from Buffalo intimidate buffalo(es) from Buffalo.

There's much more interesting detail in the article. Enjoy!

My son and I toss this back at each other all the time. Geek humour is fun!

[Baraka_Guru]

Originally Posted by Charlatan

This is relevant. A little slice of my childhood

While we're on the topic of our childhoods and quality educational television programming in Ontario.... here a sample of the fare I grew up on.

YouTube - Write On episode: UFO from TVOntario - Gobbledegook/Jargon

YouTube - Write On episode: UFO from TVOntario - Gobbledegook/Jargon

[Charlatan]

My wife just pointed out that our kid's programming actually taught things.

I love TVO.