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Rule 29e states that there are rigid conventions for the placement of punctuation marks with quotation marks. In American usage, periods, commas, etc. are placed INSIDE quotation marks. Example: "Well," Professor Badpenny sighed, "You should always study your lesson."
My quote above to isellhondas had the question mark placed at the end of the sentence OUTSIDE of the direct quote that he had questioned. This is because I am asking him a question related to a direct quote and the question is not part of the direct quote.
Now as to the verb tense, I wouldn't want to use the Past Perfect tense or it would appear that in 1956 I had the feeling that I would drive that car in 2008. Saying that I had rather drive the car today, places me in 2008 with a reflective thought. I could have said, "I would rather drive that car today." and it might have been a little clearer.
Hope this clears things up. I'm trying really hard not to make comments about grammar, etc, in 2008 unless you guys bring up a situation. I know that we need to stay on track, but I don't mind responding if someone wants to check on something. Thanks again.
ditto that...don't make us go for the Remove Watch link! :sick:
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"I was worried for a moment there."
Oh well, I still think I had rather drive it today is awkward, but then I'm old and stupid (sorry for the redundancy).
Pedantic comes to mind, along with several other words, but perhaps we shouldn't.
:shades: :lemon: :sick: :confuse:
NY Times
Just a guess, but I think he's saying "and also too" rather than "and also to".
Obviously though, we're talking semantics here, comparing a redundant 'too' to a meaningless 'to'.
Certainly it's unpresidential, probably as much so as Bush's "nuculer".
However, I wonder if the proper use of the semicolon is taught any more; probably not as much as we'd like it to be.
1. Scott, are you "in"?
2. Scott, you are "in."
Is that punctuation correct? I'm 99.9% positive on the first one. I'm not real sure on the second. I want to punctuate like this ----> Scott, you are "in".
What do you think?
:P
That cracked me up.
-moo
Just an alien's opinion, I keep waiting for more authorized ones.
Regards,
Jose
Scott, are you "in?"
I am "in," replied Scott.
Excellent; Scott, you are "in."
:sick:
-moo
The current standard usage guidelines makes xwesx's punctuation correct.
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Oh, Kirstie... here are some apostrophes, just for you
' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
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Irregardless, here are the Top Ten Grammar Myths from the Grammar Girl.
That's it.. I'm not going to take you seriously. :P
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I think the answer is "fewer", but what if you had a situation where you needed a sign that said "10 items or more". More is the opposite of less but what is the opposite of fewer?
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
That said, nearly every grocery store I've ever seen uses "less" just as in your example and they are just wrong. It is used incorrectly all over the place. This is indeed one of the peeves that pet me.
I don't know the opposite of fewer. Morer? :P
I think you got it.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I like her, she's fun. I particularly like her example of when it's correct to end a sentence with a preposition:
"I'm going to throw up, let's kiss and make up."
The freshman then replied, "Oops, sorry, let me try again. Where is the library at, [non-permissible content removed]"?
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Uh.. No ice cubes in my beer, thanks..
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Regards,
Jose
Using less when the proper word is fewer grates on me every time I see it. There should be a "10 items or fewer" line in stores that only English majors can use.
Oh, and the opposite of fewer is more. It's another one of those English language things. Just when you think you have a rule down there's an exception.
How do you feel about "more or less", meaning approximately.
Hahahaha. With such a noble goal, how could it possibly be wrong? :P
And, as seen in the Forums - "if you are adverse to risk." Yes, I am its adversary, and I usually win.
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The phrase "more or fewer" doesn't really roll of the tongue as well.
I didn't make the rule. :P
However, it won't substitute in some cases of non-numerical usage, i.e. "He more or less admitted to the crime."
Actually, the 'fewer and less' issue bothers me a lot less than some others; text message writing style in non-texting situations for instance. :shades:
I keep seeing that reason given for the more/fewer rule.
And then I think, I bet Tidester could quantify it down to the last molecule. Pf_Flyer would come close with his slide rule, but Tides would nail it exactly. :shades:
Text message speak in other than a texting situation drives me crazy!! We may have already had this conversation here, but we're not too far off from no one having any idea how to correctly spell anything at all.
oh, wait, that's an answer to another question.
Well, out of the 3 medical editors in my department, we all arrived here via different routes. I have a BA in English, but I prepped in high school and started college for a BS in Biology, so I have some medical knowledge. I've always just had a knack and an interest in that sort of thing. That normally wouldn't count, but I met the right person at the right time and was given a job at a pharmaceutical company working through a new drug application to the FDA. The rest is history. One person I work with now was a nurse in a past life. The other actually went all the way up through 2 years of medical school. How they got into editing, I can't tell you. I know several folks who wind up making that kind of switch will start off freelancing. Their medical knowledge obviously appeals to employers. After they get some experience under their belt, they'll move into it full-time.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
My biggest peeve these days--advice versus advise. For example, if I ask you for advice, you would advise me. You advise on which car to buy. I would seek your advice about the purchase of an extended warranty. Evidently the green underline (grammar check?) gets it wrong as I frequently consult the dictionary to be sure. Or maybe I'm wrong?
How about chose/choose? If you go back a few posts, you'll see how easy it is to get confused, like lose/loose as someone else pointed out. Oftentimes I have to read aloud to make sure I've used the right word.
When did conversate become a word? I understand it recently became "accepted" but oh, it sounds so wrong to hear "I conversated with Mary about that," instead of "I spoke with Mary about that."
Two more quick ones--use/utilize and in order to. Thoughts?
I must admit that I have not noticed a widespread misuse of "advice" and "advise." Maybe that is because my senses remain overloaded with the rampant plague of "I've got." :sick: