Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

Is it lineup or line-up?

Cindy

A:

Dear Cindy,

I prefer "line-up", and the Oxford English Dictionary agrees with me. I consider the OED as the last word on such things . . . unless I strongly disagree, but that's really rare.

This does assume that it's not a request or command, like "Hey people! line up!" but rather, "Here's our line-up for tonight's . . . "

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

When using the word "respect" (as in relation to) whcih is the correct: with respect to OR in respect to ? Or would it be better to just say "in relation to?"

Attached per your request are directions are the plans showing proposed modifications at the site. Also attached is an aerial print identifying the locations of the other five sites with respect to the main Apartment complex.

Commas ??

Thank you,

Katie

A:

Dear Katie,

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

Which of the following phrases is correct?

RSVP no later then or RSVP no later than

Thank you,

Monica

A:

Dear Monica,

"Then" refers to time, while "than" is used to compare. "Then" is used to say that one thing comes after another thing in time.

— "The snow will fall, then it will get cold."

— "I would rather have apples than oranges."

What's tricky about your example is that it compares time. "No later than" is a time, and so is the unspecified date. I'll say it's January 1st.

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

I would like to know which of the following is best punctuated.

1. Algae blooms usually coincide with lower summer lake levels which, as mentioned previously, could become more common as the planet warms.
2. Algae blooms usually coincide with lower summer lake levels, which, as mentioned previously, could become more common as the planet warms.
3. Algae blooms usually coincide with lower summer lake levels, which as mentioned previously, could become more common as the planet warms.

I would be grateful for your response.

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

Can you explain the correct use of both came and went?

Colleen

A:

"Came" is the past tense of "come", while "went" is the past tense of "go".

This may sound obvious, on reflection, but maybe not, since "went" is irregular.

This depends on which direction the action takes. If something is approaching the speaker, it is coming, or "came". If something is moving away from the speaker, it is going, or "went".

Here are examples of how each is used:

Bob, who is already at the party, says, "Are you coming to the party?"

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

Within the body of a letter, do you italicize or underline the name of a newspaper or publication you are referring to?

Thank you!

Stacy

A:

This depends on the style guide you are following. If your employer had a style guide, naturally, refer to that. If they have no style guide, The Chicago Manual of Style is used by most businesses.

The CMS doesn't really address the issue, which indicates to me that they do not highlight those names at all.

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

Should there be a comma after the year in the following statement?: "On July 13, 1987, I lost my shoe?" I am not clear about the rule regarding the use of commas with dates. Thanks!

Jeff

A:

I usually go by the Chicago Manual of Style for these things, but I will confess to bending those rules from time to time, when my eye doesn't agree, or when it breaks the rhythm of the sentence.

In this case, the CMS says to use the comma, but only when using the M/D/Y format. Otherwise, don't use the comma.

Examples:

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

Working at a newspaper, I have lately been receiving copy from a particular sales person who wants to use the past tense in ads. For example a company wanting to communicate that fleets of trucks are welcome for business.

This particular sales person wants to use: Fleets Welcomed
I think it should be: Fleets Welcome

I think this is correct because the fleets were welcomed yesterday, are welcome today and will be welcome in the future. As in lots of advertising the company probably wants to keep it short & sweet, using two words only.

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

How are these properly written?

1.
NYS's waters
or
NYS waters

(pertaining to the State of New York and its waterways)

2.
the capped amount of these projects is $35,000
or
the capped amount per project is $35,000

Are both suggestions correct?

Lynn

A:

Q:

Dear Grammer Cop,

Please can you tell me which is correct

The attached documents are

The attached documents is

Thank you!

Elaine

A:

"The attached documents are . . ." is correct.

The subject and verb must agree in number. So, "documents", the plural subject, must use the plural form of "be", which is "are".

Hope this helps!