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Prose Parade
Grammar and writing basics


March 16, 2009

RIP

The other day I was driving down Farifax and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a sign in front of an equity-waiver theater (oh, sorry, theatre, the way the Brits spell it. It’s pretentious, but I’m told by one who’d know that Actor’s Equity requires the British spelling in all its contracts. I say to Actor’s Equity, get a grip.) that said “In Memorium.” Apparently, someone the actors and others cared for had died, and they were expressing their sadness. Just not enough to spell memoriam right. Sheesh.
 

 

March 12, 2009

well and good

In general, adverbs seem to be disappearing. Adjectives are replacing them, and grammatically it’s wrong. The one that chafes me the most is using good instead of well.

One of the problems is that well can also be an adjective. As an adjective it means to look healthy. For example, you look well. It can also mean physical appearance. For example, you look well in that dress (not good although that’s what nearly eveyone says). Finally, it means everything is OK. For example, everything is going well.

Well the adverb means to do something satisfactorily. For example, Lincoln split that log well.

Well, well, well really is a deep subject. Ha, I just amused myself.

Good is always an adjective and means average or above average. For example, you’re in a good mood.

Ok, then, remember the word good is always an adjective, so it can’t modify a verb because that’s what adverbs do. Do this and we’ll all be good.

Important Note: The only one who can use good as an adverb is James Brown, and since he’s not strictly speaking about his health, good is good. He feels good; he told you he would. i-feel-good

March 11, 2009

Apostrophe Catastrophe, Part Deux

This screamer I see everywhere: ‘009. The little mark before the numbers is supposed to be an apostrophe, but most times it isn’t; it’s an open single quote. This mistake started to happen when we all went to desktop publishing. Computers don’t know when it’s supposed to be an apostrophe or an open single quote. It’s the same key. Well, on Macs there’s a special character: Option Shift ] (bracket). On PCs just type a letter, type the apostrophe, then delete the letter, and there’s the apostrophe. Easy peasy.

March 8, 2009

its and it’s

Well, after my IP finally fixed itself (down for 3.5 hours), we can talk about those two little words. They may be little, but they trip people up all the time.

It’s means it is. The apostrophe means that letters are missing; in this case an i. For example, it’s a nice day.

Its means belonging to it, a possessive.  For example, its tentacles reached out for the unsuspecting diver.

Now, you know.

March 5, 2009

The Apostrophe Catastrophe

Today, I didn’t even try to load my pages. Too much frustration.

I’m not too frustrated to whine about the misuse of the apostrophe. How we got into this mess, I have no idea. Let me say this loud and clear: Apostrophes are very seldom used to make plurals. I know the majority of the population thinks it’s right. It ain’t.

So, in the interest of clarity:

The apostrophe indicates letters are missing, e.g., can’t. An N and an O are missing. Actually, there are more rules about apostrophes, but you can look at them in Punctuation, when and if I get it loaded.

My main point is don’t make plurals with the apostrophe. People like to do it, especially with surnames: the Clark’s. Oy vey. It’s the Clarks. Remember this for the end of the year holidays. When you’re addressing your envelopes, the Clark’s is a no-no.

Now, you know.

March 4, 2009

Eureka!

Ta-da. I figured out the template upload/download/everywhere you go load.

every day everyday

OK, since I can’t figure out how to get my pages loaded or the template I want loaded or even how to get the name of the blog in that blue space, I’ll do this because this I know how to do. Oh, and how do I get rid of the two “Abouts”? One will do.

Every day and everyday do not mean the same thing and are not interchangeable. Everyday (one word) means ordinary, commonplace. Every day (two words) means on a daily basis.

Now, you know.

March 2, 2009

Welcome to Prose Parade

I named my blog Prose Parade because I live in Pasadena near the Rose Bowl, and I’m a copy editor and writer. Cute, huh. Well, they can’t all be gems.

Eventually, the blog will have several pages with information on the parts of speech, the parts of a sentence, spelling, punctuation, and syntax and style. Also, every day I’ll post my daily rant about the screaming grammatical errors I see and hear in my everyday life.