Comments for Writing Forward

Comment on Homophones: Two, Too, and To by Magnolia

Magnolia — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:23:08 +0000

Well then, maybe therein lies our differences in perspective.

I do know in the 60’s & 70’s when I was in grade school & high school, we *did* study grammar all the way through high school. (I remember Mrs. Sutton’s sentence diagramming all too well in 10th grade )

And then, with home schooling my children the past ten years, with the curriculum we used, there was a heavy focus on grammar throughout high school.

It appears I’ve lived in a bubble by assuming that most people would have had an adaquate, even an over exposure to it.

Comment on Homophones: Two, Too, and To by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:57:32 +0000

As someone who survived the public school system, I can tell you that grammar is not a focal point. In fact, if I remember correctly, the last time I had a decent grammar lesson was around fourth grade. After that, grammar is picked up through corrections made on essays and reports, assuming one paid attention to such corrections. The result is that many of my peers simply did not learn the subtle nuances of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Since I love studying language, I tend to pay close attention to grammar and over the years, have taught myself many of the rules (and it didn’t hurt that I majored in English and Creative Writing). I don’t think that’s true for most people, even if they are good at telling stories or putting words together in intriguing ways. Two, too, and to are probably not the most frequently misunderstood homophones, but I still see them mixed up often enough that I feel it’s an issue worth addressing.

Comment on Word Pairs: Fewer vs. Less by Kelvin Kao

Kelvin Kao — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:52:50 +0000

We are counting on you to be accountable for countability!

Comment on Word Pairs: Fewer vs. Less by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:50:41 +0000

Yes, I think that when choosing between fewer and less, it’s all about countability. That would be correct

Comment on Homophones: Two, Too, and To by Magnolia

Magnolia — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:15:49 +0000

Hey You’re welcome! (compliments about your blog ).

Well, then maybe I have had limited experience with writers. I suppose I would presume (rightly or wrongly) that basic elemtents of speech & grammar would have been mastered by a certain time.

Certainly, the usages of the words, “too, to, & two” are discussed, ad nauseum I might add, in elementary language arts courses. As a former home school mommy, I found the repetition of basic grammar concepts year after year after year tedious. Which is why I was surprised that adults would have an issue with such basic ideas.

However, it appears that I am wrong. My comments were not from a heart of condemnation or judgement however, merely surprise.

Comment on Word Pairs: Fewer vs. Less by J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:24:09 +0000

I like your precise distinction … “countability.”

I also like the fact you asked which is correct. One of my teachers was a stickler on distinguishing between correct and right, where correct was accurate, while right was a moral term.
J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Likeability is a Skill

Comment on Word Pairs: Fewer vs. Less by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:23:46 +0000

Thanks for visiting and commenting Clella! We all need to brush up every now and then.

Comment on Word Pairs: Fewer vs. Less by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:23:12 +0000

Kelvin, you make a very astute observation regarding “more or less.” I hadn’t thought of that!

I believe that the correct way would actually be “less people” and “fewer persons,” but I’m not 100% sure. As for “less than three,” it might be “fewer than three,” depending on what is being counted. Me? I would say “less than three people” and “fewer than three persons.” That’s my take on this. For the coffee – it would be “fewer than three cups of coffee” because the cups are being counted, not the coffee (the cups just happen to contain coffee).

Jealous and envious… hmm, I’ll have to think about that. Hehehe.

Comment on Poetry Terms: Alliteration by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:19:39 +0000

greer, long time no see! How have you been?

I love alliteration. I think I might have a crush on it.

Comment on Word Pairs: Fewer vs. Less by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:19:02 +0000

That’s why I post these little refreshers. We can all use them! I’m always double-checking and looking up the rules. It’s a good practice. Of course, I might turn around and break those rules…