Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Fixing a mangled sentence

Found online: Everyone says they go the extra mile. Almost no actually one does.

 The first sentence is fine, but you need it for perspective. The second sentence needs help.

 Everyone says they go the extra mile. Actually, almost no one does.
Contact: I can be reached at tgilli52@gmail.com.

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Monday, June 25, 2012

Yet another science edit

Found online: While all large galaxies are assumed to have black holes at their center, not all of those black holes produce quasars.

 Because galaxies and center go together, I would change that to:

 While all large galaxies are assumed to have black holes at their centers, not all of those black holes produce quasars.
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Quick edit of a sentence

Found online: He has as many strikeouts this year as Justin Verlander, tied for the most in the majors. 

 It's easy to meld this together.

 He's tied with Justin Verlander for the major-league lead in strikeouts.
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Saturday, June 16, 2012

Whom do you love?

When I was growing up in the '60s in Virginia, we didn't use whom a lot. Our English teachers made us aware of the word, of course, and they'd correct us on the spot.

But we used who for nearly everything. Who do you trust? Who do you love (the Rolling Stones, I think)? Who's next (The Who, of course)? Who's your favorite rock group? The Guess Who, of course.

Somewhere along the way, whom became popular. Everyone told us to use whom. Whom do you trust? I trust him, since whom and him are both objective, not subjective.

Nowadays, people use whom for everything. Well, not everything; Mick Jagger just wouldn't say "whom do you love?" I don't blame him.

I agree with most uses of the word whom -- for whom the bell tolls -- but I think it's overrated and overused. Who's overrated? He is. That's right.

When I was in college, my journalism teacher pointed out to us that there are times when who is correct because it's part of a phrase. Sadly, I can't give an example; it's been too long.

I guess I'm into civil disobedience, a subject that Henry David Thoreau would appreciate. Whom would live on Walden Pond? (Actually, it's who would know. You know?)

And whom would know for sure? No, who knew. Who wrote the letter? Yes, he did. Who's on first? That's right.

But who's on second? No, What's on second. And who's on third? No, Who's on first (apparently, his name is Don Who). But who's on third? I Don't Know.

Hey, that's right. I Don't Know is on third.

Who's next?

 (Whom's next? Nah.)
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Saturday, June 2, 2012

Mets' history

Found online: After a string of close calls in their 51-season history, Santana finally finished the job in the Mets' 8,020nd game since the team was born in 1962.

This makes it sounds like Santana has had lots of close calls in his 51-year history.

After a string of close calls in the Mets' 51-season history, Santana finally finished the job in the team's 8,020nd game since the team was born in 1962.

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