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September 26, 2000
WHO VS. WHOM--PART II
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Last week we began a series to help readers distinguish between the need for "who" and "whom" in writing.
Another test to apply is whether the pronoun can be replaced with other subjective case pronouns (I, she/he, they), for which "who" should be used:
Who mailed the letter? ("She" mailed the letter--NOT "Her")
Who opened the door? ("They" opened the door--NOT "Them")
But if objective case pronouns can be substituted (me, her/him, them), use "whom" instead:
They gave the puppy to whom? (They gave the puppy to "him"--NOT to "he")
The judges awarded whom the prize? (The judges awarded "her" a prize--NOT "she")
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SPELLING OR WRITING TIP
Last week we asked readers to decide which word of the pairs below is correctly spelled. This week we can tell you that the second word in each pair is correct:
arithematic / arithmetic
becuz / because
conselor / counselor
diffrent / different
estcasy / ecstasy
hymm / hymn
lavitory / lavatory
morgage / mortgage
surperlative / superlative
whinsome / winsome
yeild / yield
If you missed more than three, this is a good time to brush up on your spelling skills!
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NEW WORD OF THE WEEK:
JAN-GLE (verb) to make a harsh, discordant sound
The telephone jangled loudly, startling Ralph from a deep sleep.
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YOUR GRAMMAR AND WRITING QUESTIONS
QUESTION: How should I revise the following:
Knight may have respected his elders, but he did not respect his peers, his superiors nor what he says he stands for enough to change his uncivil behavior.
GRAMMARCHECK: Try something like this:
Though Knight respected his elders, he did not respect his peers, his superiors, nor his alleged beliefs enough to change his uncivil behavior.
Obviously, many arrangements are possible. Always work toward smoothness and clarity--make it easy on the reader!
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QUESTION: Which is the correct way to word this sentence?
Here are the sample letter and references you requested.
-or-
Here is the sample letter and references you requested.
GRAMMARCHECK: If the letter and references are contained within one document, i.e., so that the references appear in the body of the letter as text or are added as a simple list of names and addresses below the text, the subject may be considered singular and thus take a singular verb:
Here is the sample letter and references you requested.
[It also might read thus: "Here is the sample letter with references you requested."]
However, the more common way to interpret this statement is to view the letter and references as separate parts of a compound subject, thus requiring a plural verb:
Here are the sample letter and references you requested.
As always, so much depends on the writer's meaning!
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QUESTION: Which is right?
Nothing smells more delicious than my aunt's freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
-or-
Nothing smells more deliciously than my aunt's freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
GRAMMARCHECK: The word "delicious" in your first sentence refers to the scent of the rolls.
However, in your second sentence the adverb "deliciously" tells us HOW the rolls smelled the fresh baked scent, as though the rolls themselves were capable of sensing odors in a delicious sort of way! [It doesn't really make sense, does it?]
Since your intended meaning undoubtedly is the first interpretation, use the word "delicious" for this sentence. Only if the rolls were animated or capable of scenting an odor would you use "deliciously," which as an adverb describes how the action is performed.
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QUESTION: How do I punctuate the title of a magazine in a business letter? Should I underline or italicize it?
GRAMMARCHECK: In handwritten letters (which in business is seldom the case), underline a magazine title. In printed documents, magazine titles are indicated by italics. Both forms are generally acceptable.
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QUESTION: Which is correct?
Son, you, like I, are a dreamer.
-or-
Son, you, like me, are a dreamer.
GRAMMARCHECK: While your second example is technically correct, we suggest a revision like the following for overall clarity and simplicity:
Like me, son, you are a dreamer.
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QUESTION: Which is correct:
I'd just as soon kiss a dog.
-or-
I'd just as-soon kiss a dog.
GRAMMARCHECK: Your first example is correct. (And please don't!)
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