Ask Our Grammar "Experts" Showing 701-750 of 1,580

[Nita]

I want to collect examples to teach differences between "because of" and "due to" (and a number of such words and phrases that are often misused or are confusing). Could you suggest a good site that I could refer to, please? Thanks!

[Ken, Moderator]

http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/agc...

[Nita]

That's a good site. Thanks!

[Scout]

Is this correctly punctuated?

I like fish tacos with sprouts and cheese, but would rather have a steak with a baked potato.

[Tyler]

I say yes. The clauses are lengthy enough to call for a comma.

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

I agree.

[Ken, Moderator]

It makes it easier on the eye and is optional, that comma. I think it's only necessary if the coordinating conjunction is followed by an independent clause (as opposed to one on welfare).

[Jonathan]

I agree with NE. The comma isn't strictly necessary. It does not introduce an independent clause--that it to say, a clause that could stand on its own as a complete sentence. Nonetheless, if you want to give special emphasis to your fondness for steak with a baked potato (and why not?) the comma is stylistically effective.

Newspapers style books tend, by the way, to be very doctrinaire on issues like this. If you wrote that sentence for the AP, the comma would be removed

[Tyler]

That second clause has no visible means of support, but it isn't on welfare. The "I" is understood, so I think of the clause as independent.

This is a close call, so we should read it aloud. If a pause before the conjunction sounds good, the comma's good. If a pause isn't what you want, the comma could be dropped.

Gabi, you could use a semicolon if you dropped the but.

[Ken, Moderator]

That's an independent analysis, Tyler. Is the "I" understood here?:

I like coffee and like tea as well.

You could argue it is and opt for a comma, but I say nyetski. As for pauses, reading Scout's sentence aloud both with it and without it sounds good to me.

Close call is right. Let's go to the instant replay (unless this is baseball or FIFA, in which case screw it).

[Tyler]

Yes, I agree: When reading it aloud, it's hard to decide about the comma, so it would have to depend on how Scout wants it to sound out.

I think da-ski on the independence. If we say "I like coffee and tea as well" is there not an understood part to the sentence: "I like coffee and [I like:] tea as well."? In the case of Scout's sentence, I was looking at it that way. Of course, I could be mistaken about it.

[Ken, Moderator]

Me too. That's why "Experts" is in quotes for this thread. ;-)

[Scout]

I asked the question because a similar sentence was presented as correctly punctuated in an online SAT practice session. I've searched for a grammar rule to fit, and I can't find one. There's been no mention in cases such as this of an "understood" subject. I wouldn't use the comma, and I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a question about this. Thanks for all replies.

[Cecily]

Any of you who are on Facebook may enjoy the discussion group "Grammar Matters", which defines itself as "A group dedicated to intelligent discussion about grammar, usage, style, etc."

You can find it here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?...

[Ken, Moderator]

Facebookphobe here. Lots of companies match you with it to harvest data about you. But speaking for the 98% of the world who consider privacy concerns so much Chicken Little nonsense and love (nay, are addicted to) this site, thanks for the link!

[Ken, Moderator]

We got back to you. Appeal to the Bored of Health or the Bored of Education, I believe we suggested.

[Carol]

How about sorta. She sorta couldn't do that. Did she or didn't she. Didn't Hamlet ask that question.

[Ruth]

Scout wrote: "I asked the question because a similar sentence was presented as correctly punctuated in an online SAT practice session. I've searched for a grammar rule to fit, and I can't find one. There's bee..."

A bit late to the discussion, but if you don't mind here's my opinion regarding
"I like fish tacos with sprouts and cheese, but would rather have a steak with a baked potato."

The comma here splits a compound predicate ("like tacos . . . but would rather than a steak . . ."). You do NOT need a comma before the conjunction in this construction, unless it would help the reader sort out complicated syntax, maybe with repeated words (e.g., "I like fish tacos with sprouts but not cheese, but would rather have a steak").

So Scout, I agree with you. But it's nothing I would go to war over.

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

Anyway, fish tacos with sprouts sounds repulsive!

[Nita]

Hi,

Please could you point me to blogs, websites, or videos on grammar and writing (preferably American) that you consider excellent.

Thanks much.

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

Preferably American??!!! What's wrong with English ones? (They ARE the experts....invented it you might say!).

[Cecily]

@Debbie: If Nita is reading American things or writing for a predominantly American audience, it makes sense to ask about AmE sources; the differences are considerable. (I say that as a Brit.)

[Cecily]

@Nita: Are you primarily looking for reference information and usage advice or more general discussions?

Here are a few:

Chicago Manual of Style:
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/h...

Merriam-Webster Usage:
http://books.google.com/books?id=2yJu...

Grammar Girl:
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/...

43 different style books on one site:
http://www.onlinestylebooks.com/home....

Article about it:
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/...

Language Log itself is an excellent site, worth checking daily. Unlike many blogs, the comments are often as good as, or better than the original posts.

[Nita]

Sorry! I should have clarified. :-) My team is creating a writing kit for Asians working with an American company. So I'm afraid I need to look at American sources. (No offence meant, of course!) :-)

[Nita]

That's a great list! Thanks, Cecily!

[Ken, Moderator]

Thank you, Cecily, for that quick assist. Pay no attention to that (English) woman behind the curtain! Experts, indeed! Didn't we win the war with expertise?

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

That makes sense.....I sometimes wish that my spellchecker was not Americanised though......

[Carol]

Me little Indian me speak American. Good Luck with your project Nita.

[Carrie]

See this is where I am beginning to lose my mind. I have one degree in print Journalism, that world was ruled by AP style. Than I got a degree in lit. where MLA dictated everything, now I am working on my masters in a field where APA style is key. I understand the need for different styles but I am also losing my mind because of the constant changes in what is considered 'proper' in both MLA and APA style. On top of all the changes the newest print version of APA was loaded with mistakes. Does any body have advice for me? I respect the fluid nature of language, yet am getting gut cramps whenever I have to write a paper....Help? Please?

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

Just do what you want! Be free!! Life is too short to worry about trivialities....

[Carrie]

I would love to adopt the "be free" mantra,unfortunately I don't think my professors would respect my choice! Any minor style "oops" is enough to ruin a paper, or the chance of future publication.

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

We just used AP for everything Carrie, when I did mine. I guess you'll just have to go with what is required and ring the changes when needed. I suppose it sorts the sheep from the goats!!!

[Ken, Moderator]

MLA and AP really don't affect grammatical choices much. Their differences are more stylistic and structural for research papers, is all.

A bigger divide can be found between academic writing and journalistic writing. For instance, book titles. You italicize or underline them in academic writing, while journalists place them in quotation marks. But even those differences, in the scheme of things, are minor.

[Scout]

I understand how regimented these things can be when you're a student. I'd go to my most trusted professor and ask him/her any questions I had about APA format. Professors are god in your situation.

[Erika]

Is 'star' and 'bee' considered as count noun or non-count noun?

[Ruth]

Erika wrote: "Is 'star' and 'bee' considered as count noun or non-count noun?"

Huh?

"Star and bee" = two things, therefore it should be are star and bee.

What are count nounds and non-count nouns?

[Erika]

I mean, is the noun 'star' classified as count or non-count noun?

How about the noun 'bee'? Is it a count noun or a non-count noun?

Sorry for not being clear. ^^; Count nouns are also called mass nouns. :)

[Erika]

Gabi wrote: "Do you mean that the same word is used for one or many. If so, then no. One star, two stars; one bee, two bees.

Sheep is the same for one or more. What is another similar word? Ruth? My brain not..." oh and I do not mean the plural form of stars or bees. I'm asking about their classification, whether these nouns are count or non-count nouns. :)

[Erika]

It's ok, Gabi, thank you. :)

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

I teach everything!! (Primary school). I would have to research the answer....I know that reading age can be calculated using noun count but as for whether or not individual words qualify I am not sure.....when I get time!!

[Erika]

Hi Gabi. Thanks for looking it up. :) I have several questions about what you have just posted. If we're talking about 'swarm' or 'galaxy' how come it is labeled as non-count? Also, doesn't that make it a collective noun?

Plus, can't we count stars and bees? Like one star, two stars... or one bee, two bees?

I agree, these classifications are confusing, but I guess it makes it easier so we can determine the classification and function of a certain part of speech. ^^;

[Erika]

Debbie wrote: "I teach everything!! (Primary school). I would have to research the answer....I know that reading age can be calculated using noun count but as for whether or not individual words qualify I am not ..."Thank you Debbie! :) I need all the help I could get. :)

[Ken, Moderator]

Here's the late Diana Hacker's take on this:

"Count nouns refer to persons, places, or things that can be counted: one girl, two girls; one city, three cities; one apple, four apples. Mass (or noncount) nouns refer to entities or abstractions that cannot be counted: lemonade, steel, air, dirt, furniture, patience, knowledge. Count nouns have singular and plural forms, but mass nouns ordinarily do not.

"If the specific identity of a singular count noun is not known to the reader -- perhaps because it is being mentioned for the first time, perhaps because its specific identity is unknown even to a writer -- the noun should usually be preceded by a or an. A (or an) usually means "one among many" but can also mean "any one."

Mary Beth arrived in a limousine.

We are looking for an apartment close to the lake."

-- Rules for Writers 2nd Edition

[Erika]

Okay~ so based on the explanation above, 'stars' and 'bees' are count nouns? Even if the nouns mentioned are grouped? e.g. a swarm of bees or a constellation of stars

[Scout]

Are you now asking about the words swarm and constellation?

[Joanne]

Hi, I love this group! I love the grammar discussions, etc. But enough of the lovefest, I have a question for the grammar guru(s).

What is the correct punctuation and usage of a compound possessive? Is it possible to short-cut the possessive and use apostrophes as one would do for a single possessive case or must one use the long form?

Example: Single: It is your fault.
Compound: It is the fault of you and Abby. (?) Both Abby and you are at fault. (?) OR It is your and Abby's fault. (?)

I'm really curious to know if the 3rd example is grammatically correct. It sounds so wrong to me, but I got stuck when trying to think through the grammar.

[Ruth]

Joanne wrote: "Hi, I love this group! I love the grammar discussions, etc. But enough of the lovefest, I have a question for the grammar guru(s).

What is the correct punctuation and usage of a compound possessiv..."

Joanne wrote: "Hi, I love this group! I love the grammar discussions, etc. But enough of the lovefest, I have a question for the grammar guru(s).

What is the correct punctuation and usage of a compound possessiv..."

Write around it and use example 2.

[Erika]

Scout wrote: "Are you now asking about the words swarm and constellation?"Yes, I am. :)

[Jonathan]

This "count noun"/"non-count noun" terminology was not used when I went to school. I find it a little confusing. But I think I may not be understanding the overall concept correctly.

For instance, it seems to me that although it might be very difficult to count the number of bees in a swarm--most users of the word in common speech would be unlikely to know the precise figure--the number of bees in a given area is finite and therefore theoretically "countable."

So, does "non-count" just mean the same thing as a collective noun? There are actually very few collective nouns that refer to an infinite quantity of objects.

Likewise, although "swarm" is a collective noun, it does have a plural form in ordinary English usage: "There are two swarms of killer bees headed for the United States at this moment. One is moving north from Mexico. The other is moving south from Canada."

[Ken, Moderator]

"Count" and "non-count" were news to me, too. They're just not taught much in schools, though some attention is given to "collective" nouns.

Anyway, I think it's safe to say that the word "swarm" is a non-count noun and the word "bee" is a count noun -- at least according to the definitions I'm reading.