Category: Uncategorized
For shame!
The NPR Grammar Hall of Shame. What error would you like to nominate?
Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 9: The hyphen’s progress
After an arduous couple of weeks during which I have spent many hours counseling Santa’s correspondents regarding their grammar and usage choices, I am tired! However, after drinking some hot chocolate garnished with candy canes, I now have a sudden burst of energy. I think it would be nice to write my own letter to Santa to invite him, Mrs. Claus, and the elves … Read More Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 9: The hyphen’s progress
Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 8: A gaffe of historic proportions
Christmas is only a few days away: it’s so close that Christmas Day is now on the 5-day forecast on the local news! Fiona from Franklin Lakes sent a letter to Santa today. Before he could bring himself to answer it, he sent it to me, asking me to help Fiona with her English usage. For the most part, her expression was great! However, … Read More Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 8: A gaffe of historic proportions
Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 7: An early Christmas gift for the Graceful Grammarian!
Santa is so happy with the work I’m doing as his communications consultant that he has delivered one of my gifts early: the Graceful Grammarian now officially an LLC!
Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 6: An intermission
Later this week, we’ll continue with an exploration of errors to avoid in letters to Santa. Today, Santa has given me a day off, so let’s take a brief intermission. Let’s enjoy together this beautiful piece of prose, penned by Francis Pharcellus Church, Editor of The Sun, in response to Virginia O’Hanlon. Santa Claus is, of course, a saint, and was a real, historical … Read More Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 6: An intermission
Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 5: Previously withheld information
Santa Claus made a startling admission to me: the reason that Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to The Sun to find out whether Santa exists is that she first wrote to Santa himself, but he did not answer. “Why didn’t you answer her?” I asked. “Let me read her letter to you,” he began. “‘Dear Santa— I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends … Read More Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 5: Previously withheld information
Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 3: Strive, strive again
Santa read me an excerpt from a letter that he received from Billy from Buffalo, and the error in the excerpt was all too familiar: “Dear Santa, I really hope that you’ll bring me a Samsung Galaxy S5 for Christmas. I’ve been very good this year. If you bring me this phone I will make a great strive to eat all of my broccoli … Read More Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 3: Strive, strive again
Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 2: Based ON
When Santa first approached me about my new temporary job as Honorary Elf on communications consulting detail, he expressed his perplexity at a neologism that he has noticed in letters of late. “For some reason,” he told me, “people seem to have given up on”—and here, I was afraid that he would say “me.” But no—he said “on saying ‘based on.’” Phew! An idiomatic … Read More Santa’s Communications Consultant, Day 2: Based ON
Santa’s Communications Consultant
Even Santa Claus has Christmas wishes. Last year, he noticed quite a few errors in the letters he received from both children and adults. This year, Santa wishes to receive error-free letters. So, he has given the Graceful Grammarian the esteemed title of “Honorary Elf.” My assignment is to help all believers to learn proper usage of English in order to avoid some common … Read More Santa’s Communications Consultant
St. Patrick’s Day, a little bit early
I was honored to learn recently that I have been selected for the 2014 Irish Education 100, a listing of the leading figures in education across the USA with Irish blood. This award is sponsored by The Irish Voice, and will be conferred by the Irish Consul General in Manhattan later this month. Thanks to my family and friends for always supporting me in … Read More St. Patrick’s Day, a little bit early
The Graceful Grammarian 