Grammar Hotline

Re: Grammar Crisis

Does everyone know that??

When can you use 'grey'? Someone must use it, or why would it be there?

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

Grey seems more British and just greyer.

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

Grey Flannel slacks are a much better look than Gray flannel pants.

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

Boom gets it.

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

i think gray has a silent 3

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

Gray and grey are both acceptable English, but only 'gray' is correct AP style. 'Greyhound' when referring to the dog.

It's like canceled and cancelled. Both correct from a language standpoint, but 'canceled' is AP style.

Apparently, I'm the grammar/AP style police. 8)

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

I know the AP style on gray. I just don't like certain vowels being bullied by the AP.

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

Fortunately neither he nor his slacks are affiliated with AP.

Wonderlic, I have great respect for anyone who can remember all the rules. My problem is I think I know all the rules, until I realize (over and over) that I have completely made them up along the way.

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

Personal issue:
I think "that" should be stricken from professional prose.
It can be almost always eliminated from the sentence and moves the author back into the active voice:

From the NYT blog, lede item on their website right now:
On the death of John Murtha. The posting is by Kate Phillips, who is a fantastic writer and often holds down the NYT's Politics and Govt. blog:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/congressman-murtha-dies/?hp

It's superfluous and -- more times than not -- hurts the strength of the statement (not that it does here).
Rant over.

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

I think we get overzealous removing "that." Sometimes, removing it hurts the rhythm of the sentence in the voice in our head.

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

Agree completely with Fishwrapper. Some years ago Dooley pointed (that) out and I never forgot it...and wondered why no one had ever told me before.

Although Rick makes a good point about rhythm; sometimes you have to go with the impact of the language over the rule of law.

 

Re: Grammar Crisis

That voice in your head? There are professionals for that.