Stupid Grammar Question for the Editors

Yes, this.

 

By the same token, writers should write "more important," not "more importantly," when introducing certain thoughts. Otherwise, the phrase modifies the verb, not the idea being presented. Something was being done importantly? Maybe, but that's not what the writer it trying to point out.

Pet peeve. And you see it everywhere.

 

Because the former are plural nouns.
Datum and medium are the singular forms.
Though tell me the last time you saw "datum" in a piece of writing.

 

Right. Jury is a singular noun. There can be multiple juries.

The Heat, Jazz, Thunder and Magic can go fuck themselves.

 

Heat and Thunder are not units.
"They" can't rightly be singularized or pluralized.
"They" are just stupid nicknames.

 

Data is portrayed by Brent Spiner.

 

Hi again. Help. At war with a copyeditor who might not speak English, need to know I'm right before going to the mat. Thanks in advance.

Please choose:

1) '...it was done without anyone knowing...'

or

2) 'it was done without anyone's knowing.'

 

1

 

For Christ sakes, get rid of the word "done."

Unless you're cooking something.

 

Actually, 'done' isn't in the sentence, just killing space to get to 'anyone knowing.'

Do we all agree #1 is correct? I'm on page 5 of a copyedited manuscript and this is the fifth bit of weirdness that has stopped me in my tracks.

 

Yes. No. 1 is correct. Not sure about the objection to the use of the word done, though. Depending on the context.

 

What's done is done. Unless your steak isn't done right.

My sweater is undone, though.