Grammar questions.

[wickedwritah]

When does one use since and because?
Is since limited to time-elemented material (i.e. "since December, the team has scored just three goals")?

And when does one use like, and when does one use such as?

Please, please help me.

 

[BertoltBrecht]

I'm not sure if I've ever used because.

Like is something similar, such as is included.

That team sucks like the Monkeytown Cardinals.

I don't appreciate sucky teams such as the Monkeytown Cardinals.

Now that I read it over, it's a really bad example. But this — "Like is something similar, such as is included." — is the heart of the matter.

 

[Eagleboy]

I use "since" like you said - only in time related matter.

"It has been six years since the Giants last had a walk-off home run."

I use "because" as a reason why.

"Ronald could not make the play at first because he was holding the runner on."

 

[ARD]

From AP Stylebook:

because, since
Use because to denote a specific cause-effect relationship: He went because he was told.
Since is acceptable in a causal sense when the first event in a sequence led logically to the second but was not its direct cause: They went to the game, since they had been given the tickets.

like, as
Use like as a preposition to compare nouns and pronouns. It requires an object: Jim blocks like a pro.
The conjunction as is the correct word to introduce clauses: Jim blocks the linebacker as he should.

 

[KG]

I'm not sure if I've ever used because.

Like is something similar, such as is included.

That team sucks like the Monkeytown Cardinals.

I don't appreciate sucky teams such as the Monkeytown Cardinals.

Now that I read it over, it's a really bad example. But this — "Like is something similar, such as is included." — is the heart of the matter.

That's not a really bad example. You're using like to compare and such as to say for example.

 

[Ace]

He hasn't give up a hit since the first inning.

He gave up a run because his curveball sucks.

The semi-pro team is playing like the Cleveland Browns.

The semi-pro team includes several former Browns, such as sticky handed Earnest Byner.

 

[Chi City 81]

With proper grammar like that, Ace, you'll be at the Plain-Dealer in no time.

 

[Ace]

Thanks, Doc. Once I do, I'll try to get you on, too, if you can pass the drug screening and all.

 

[wickedwritah]

Love, Marty.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

I also get "amount" and "much" from writers when they should be writing "number" and "many".

 

[Chi City 81]

Thanks, Doc. Once I do, I'll try to get you on, too, if you can pass the drug screening and all.

Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Also, as in a thread title in this area.... words that end in -ly (adverbs) dont get hyphenated in linking with another word to modify a noun.

...commonly known people...

 

[wickedwritah]

I also get "amount" and "much" from writers when they should be writing "number" and "many".

Can you cite some examples?

 

[Ace]

I also get "amount" and "much" from writers when they should be writing "number" and "many".

Can you cite some examples?

I think he's full of many amounts of ****s.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

I also get "amount" and "much" from writers when they should be writing "number" and "many".

Can you cite some examples?

The NFL this year changed the amount of years a player can spend on the practice squad.

"Less" and "fewer" is another one: Freddie Patek has less career hits than George Brett.

No.

Freddie may put less jam on toast than George Brett, but he doesn't have less hits.

 

[wickedwritah]

Thanks, Simon.

Here I thought I'd reached the top of the mountain when I finally, finally figured out the who/whom deal.

 

[Dan Rydell]

Also, as in a thread title in this area.... words that end in -ly (adverbs) dont get hyphenated in linking with another word to modify a noun.

...commonly known people...

Actually, Simon, there is a rule out there that says a compound adjective with an adverb ending in "ly" should be hyphenated, as in "commonly-known people"...........

My former copy chief, a solid veteran, showed it to me in print a few years ago, but nobody else in newspapers seems to have heard of it. And I can't remember what his grammar source was.

I think it's better than the default "any adverb ending in 'ly' never gets a hyphen" because it makes it more clear to the readers. And, anyway, I prefer any compound adjective to be hyphenated.

 

[buckweaver]

Also, as in a thread title in this area.... words that end in -ly (adverbs) dont get hyphenated in linking with another word to modify a noun.

...commonly known people...

Actually, Simon, there is a rule out there that says a compound adjective with an adverb ending in "ly" should be hyphenated, as in "commonly-known people"...........

My former copy chief, a solid veteran, showed it to me in print a few years ago, but nobody else in newspapers seems to have heard of it. And I can't remember what his grammar source was.

I think it's better than the default "any adverb ending in 'ly' never gets a hyphen" because it makes it more clear to the readers. And, anyway, I prefer any compound adjective to be hyphenated.

My instinct is to agree. Before I learned the "newspaper rule" about this situation, I always used a hyphen because I thought it gave the adverb a stronger connection to the noun, which was its purpose (they go together; it should be as clear as possible that they go together.)

Newspapering has gotten me out of that habit, and a few others that I used when writing academically. Not sure if that's good or bad, but I know I often get corrected by non-newspaper people (English teachers and magazine editors, mostly ) when I submit something I've written. Can't help it sometimes.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

What's the proper way to use then/than? ( Hi Moddy )

 

[Ace]

What's the proper way to use then/than? ( Hi Moddy )

If you don't know, than I'm not gonna tell you.