R.I.P. Commas
Do commas still matter? - The Washington Post
Do commas still matter? - The Washington Post
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OK, have a question for you Grammar people on this board. This was on the weather channel last night for my area's Local on the 8s. Hubby didn't agree. Summary said, "Showers off and on through the day." He thought it should have been "on and off" because they can't be off until they are on << his phrase. I said that it wasn't raining, so they were already off and they'd be on later. What say you editor types out there???
I'd say move to a drier location to avoid future arguments.........
it is a term often use in weather forecasts:OK, have a question for you Grammar people on this board. This was on the weather channel last night for my area's Local on the 8s. Hubby didn't agree. Summary said, "Showers off and on through the day." He thought it should have been "on and off" because they can't be off until they are on << his phrase. I said that it wasn't raining, so they were already off and they'd be on later. What say you editor types out there???
I like Spidey's answer better. And you Men just think you are right. We ladies know better!
To answer the question though, I'm going to agree with your husband for two reasons. One, I think of it like a faucet, you have to turn it on before you turn it off. And two, we Men are always right!!
I like Spidey's answer better. And you Men just think you are right. We ladies know better!
Yes, it should be "are" because of "elements". Even elements aside, "couple" would also have necessitated that it be "are" not "is."
LOL. Thankfully there is an appropriate Monty Python gif for any situation known to mankind, eh? Hopefully that eye twitch doesn’t become permanent as I understand DiO’Bolic Retinopathy is a nasty one.Now you know how I feel when I read your misspellings!
Not too bad--only a flesh wound.LOL. Thankfully there is an appropriate Monty Python gif for any situation known to mankind, eh? Hopefully that eye twitch doesn’t become permanent as I understand DiO’Bolic Retinopathy is a nasty one.
If the word is thought of as a unit, it's singular. If it can be thought of individually, it's plural.Thanks, Bev and Ms. Mod for the help on this. I agree with the advice here (wish I had noticed the comma issue; then again, I think I probably didn't know the rule to begin with).
However, it's interesting about the word "couple" -- that is considered usually plural in nature? I always get confused on some words like that. For instance, the term "police" is usually associated with "are," but my instinct is to always think of that as a singular institution (I always use are, though). But if I use a band name in a sentence, I tend to use is, although admittedly I'm always uncomfortable with that; plus, I probably don't always do it. I suppose, too, it depends on the context of the sentence.
The Monkees is an amazing musical business model.
But...
The Monkees is coming to town sounds awkward, but Cheap Trick are coming to town also seems awkward.
Oh good. I'd like you to be able to see me become the next recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. I understand the bar has been lowered. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants?Not too bad--only a flesh wound.