Principal / Principle- Page 3

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 3/9/05 at 8:49am

How about WHO and THAT?

She was the only one that passed the exam. WRONG

She was the only one who passed the exam. CORRECT

[Jon]

Posted: 3/9/05 at 9:51am

Feodor - I have that problem with "that" and "which" - luckily, the spellcheck/grammarcheck on my computer corrects me, because I still don't understand when to use one or the other!

"There are many rules of grammar WHICH apply here" or
"There are many rules of grammar THAT apply here"?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/9/05 at 9:56am

comma before and after a "which" clause/no comma with a "that" clause

"There are many rules of grammar THAT apply here."
"The many rules of grammar, WHICH apply here, are too complicated for most people."

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 3/9/05 at 10:48am

I am in love with this thread.
Wow.

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 8:38am

I think we should keep this thread going. It's a good resource.
How many of us make this mistake "try and" when we mean "try to"?

Example incorrect:

I am going to try and fix that window tomorrow.

Example correct:

I am going to try to fix that window tomorrow.

If you replace the word "try" with the word "attempt", then the error is glaring - I am going to attempt and fix that window tomorrow.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:43am

I love when you can replace a word with the incorrect word, or rather switch the word order around.
My favorite mistake comes from people who think they're speaking properly and misuse the personal pronouns, like when people say "he and I" even though it IS correct to say him and me.
That's for he and I.
Uh uh. :)
Of course, more people blaringly misuse "me"...I know I do.

[ElTico68]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 2:47pm

Oh my... and "myself"... would someone please do something about the incorrect use of the word "myself"... it drives me crazy! (I know when to use them just can't explain it in detail... 2nd language, you know...)

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 2:54pm

When a word ends in "-xia" and you want to turn it into an adjective, you should change the ending to "-ctic", not "-xic".

"I have dyslexia. I am dyslexic." INCORRECT
"I have dyslexia. I am dyslectic." CORRECT

"She has anorexia. She is anorexic." INCORRECT
"She has anorexia. She is anorectic." CORRECT

[JailyardGuy]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 3:02pm

That is so hot, I just got a little moist in my naughty bits.

God, I LOVE grammar.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 3:38pm

actually both are correct...see following entry from Websters Online Dictionary

Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online
One entry found for dyslexia.


Main Entry: dys·lex·ia
Pronunciation: dis-'lek-sE-&
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from dys- + Greek lexis word, speech, from legein to say -- more at LEGEND
: a variable often familial learning disability involving difficulties in acquiring and processing language that is typically manifested by a lack of proficiency in reading, spelling, and writing
- dys·lex·ic /-sik/ adjective or noun
and
Main Entry: 1an·orex·ic
Pronunciation: "a-n&-'rek-sik
Function: adjective
1 : ANORECTIC
2 : affected with or as if with anorexia nervosa


you'll find most teachers and librarians still use dyslexic and anorexic (I did a poll today)

[Joshua488]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 4:02pm

Since when is 'anorexic' incorrect English??

Someone is living in a fantasy grammar world...

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 6:31pm

According to what 2 of my family members were taught in medical school, "anorectic" is the correct word. I will withdraw the comment based on the dictionary finding that was posted (thank you for that), but Joshua488, I would hardly say that I am living in a "fantasy grammar world".

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 6:52pm

when in doubt, ask a librarian.......and that's what I did as I thought both ways were correct. Flower, it very well may be that a doctor would use those terms......but teachers, librarians, etc use the others......

[Joshua488]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 6:59pm

Whoa.

I was just being silly.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:21pm

Sorry about that Joshua488. Didn't mean for it to sound as though I were attacking you.

(that last sentence made me think of a new one...)


Many people get the "mood" wrong with the verb "to be" (mood is different than tense, but sort of related...)

I believe that when things are indefinite ("if", "as though", "I wish"), it is correct to use "were", not "was".

"I wish I was in New York." INCORRECT
"I wish I were in New York." CORRECT

"If I was going to be in New York, I'd go to see Wicked" INCORRECT
"If I were going to be in New York, I'd go to see Wicked." CORRECT

"I'm going to act as though I was going to be in New York soon." INCORRECT
"I'm going to act as though I were going to be in New York soon." CORRECT