Pardon My Rant

Some grammatical blunders shouldn't be forgiven. For instance, "rise up."  When was the last time you noticed a balloon "rising down"? Ditto "raise," "lift," and "hoist."

If you're not careful, you'll commit "a myriad of mistakes." Well, I hope not. "Myriad" is an adjective. Used correctly it should directly precede the noun it modifies: "myriad mistakes." Think of "myriad" as an upscale substitute for "many," and you'll get it right every time.

When you work on a tan, you don't "lay on the beach," you "lie on the beach." "Lie" means "to rest or recline." Its principal parts are "lie" (present tense), "lay" (past tense), and "lain" (past participle). "Lay" means "to put or place." Its principle parts are "lay," "laid," and "laid."  The confusion happens because "lay" plays two roles--as the present tense of one and the past tense of the other. I know it's confusing--but you're not a dummy. You can learn this!

Doesn't everyone love their mother?  No, everyone loves his (or her) mother. Forget the "every" part and concentrate on "one." That way you'll remember that "everyone" is singular, requiring a singular pronoun referring to it.  I know, I know, "anyone" sounds singular, and "everyone" sounds plural. But both are singular, as are anybody, everybody, someone, and somebody.

Class dismissed.

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A Simple Proposal

     In the wake of last week's tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, much finger-pointing and name-calling concerning culpability has taken place, yet on the playground we all learned--or should have--that such tactics accomplish nothing positive. I suspect you feel as I do--that it is "others" who are indulging in inflammatory invective, not us, and we sigh and step back prepared wait until "they" get over themselves. This, I am realizing, also accomplishes nothing of lasting value. Meanwhile, during this period of back-and-forth negative rhetoric, a terrific opportunity is being squandered.
     One very astute person named Elizabeth Lesser has come up with a simple way to begin a dialog that can elevate the way we treat each other. I commend to you her short video, which you can find here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsSd2nmoKNA

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An Inauspicious Beginning

What a way to start the new year!
     I’m sure you knew about the 5,000 red wing blackbirds that fell to their deaths in Arkansas on New Year’s Eve, but did you know about the 100,000 Drum fish that went belly-up in the Arkansas River at the same time? How about the 500 blackbirds, starlings, and sparrows that dropped dead in Kentucky? Or the 450 red wing blackbirds and brown-headed cowbirds that died in Louisiana? Or the millions of spot fish that carpeted the Chesapeake Bay?
     You were mistaken if you thought the carnage was an American phenomenon. During the same first few days of the new year, 100 tons of sardines came ashore in Brazil, 40,000 Devil Crabs washed up in Britain, 50 jackdaws bit the dust in Sweden, 1500 endangered and protected Sooty Shearwater birds died in Chile, and hundreds of (eyeless) snapper littered the beaches of New Zealand.
     The blame has alternately been assigned to fireworks, an atmospheric disturbance, a microburst, high altitude hail, Nostradamus, and the Antichrist. The scientific community has promised a definitive answer in February. Or maybe August.
     I’m glad I’m a prose-titute and not an apocalyptician.

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