Q: Which is correct, Mother’s Day or Mothers’ Day? I have a customer who wants to use the name as an imprint on promotional gifts for the holiday. I think of Mother’s Day as singular possessive, my mother, but in this case is it correct?...
Q: Several times recently I’ve come across the usage “offshore of ” in copy I’m editing. It sounds dead wrong to my ears, but I’m having difficulty explaining why to my client. Can you clarify?
A: You’re right in...
She’ll be on the Leonard Lopate Show around 1:20 PM Eastern time to discuss the English language and take questions from callers. Today’s topic: the language of Mother’s Day. If you miss the program, you can listen to it on P...
Q: I’m confused by a passage in your “Sui genitive!” post about when to use a singular noun and when to use a plural in adjectival phrases: “two-dollar word” vs. “Thirty Years’ War.”
A: Here’s the relevant passage from our Aug. 10, 2010,...
Q: I’m puzzled by this phrase from the Preamble: “in order to form a more perfect union.” What part of speech is “in order to”? It looks like a preposition. But how can the verb “form” be an object of a preposition? I struggle with this....
Q: Could you provide 100 examples of the correct use of “who” vs. “whom”? Most authorities explain the principles, but don’t provide enough examples. Also, is it “First … Second … Third” or “Firstly … Secondly … Thirdly” in a prose lis...
Q: I’m an Australian television producer. I keep seeing “alternate” used instead of “alternative,” as in, “If you would like to choose an alternate date and time, please contact our office.” Is the battle lost? Is “alternate” now an alte...
Q: What do you call a string of noun phrases that share the same noun? Example: “The English, French, and math teachers all have lunch together.”
A: A construction like “English, French, and math teachers” is simply a noun (...
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Q: This one throws me for a loop: “Who else was there for me to talk to?” My gut tells me that “who” is correct, but I have a nagging feeling that “whom” may be. Can you set me straight?
A: Go with you...
