Get the Lead Out! (led and lead)

The word "lead," when pronounced like "feed," can be a noun, as in a dog's lead,
a lead in a play, a lead to solving a mystery, etc. In this post we'll concentrate on "lead" as a verb.

The verb "to lead" has these principal parts:
            (Today I) LEAD         (Yesterday I) LED            (Many times I have) LED
The past forms of "lead,"which remove the "a," are confused with the past forms of "read," which rhyme with "led" but keep the "a," as in:
           (Today I) READ         (Yesterday I) READ          (Many times I have) READ


Most of the confusion about the verb "to lead" comes from the fact that the past form has the same sound as the noun "lead" which names an element and rhymes with "bread." Sometimes the noun is erroneously substituted for the verb.

Perhaps these sentences will help you remember each word:
                FRED LED the SLED dogs to the SHED.
               They DREAD finding LEAD in the paint that was SPREAD on the wall.

These sentences use both words correctly:
                The new law LED to a drop in LEAD poisoning.
                In Browning, Montana, the factory that produced LEAD pencils LED
                    all other industries in employing the Blackfeet.


Just remember that the noun "lead' is a metal, and there is an "a" in "metal." The past form of the verb "to lead" has no "a."

Fewer Puppies-Less Poop (fewer and less, amount and number)

As the owner (mother, really) of two Jack Russell terriers who use a litter box,
I'm definitely qualified to talk about poop. Today our topic is the difference
between "fewer" and "less," which will be studied with "amount" and "number."

Before I begin, I'd like to call your attention to an addition I made to the
post "If I Were a Rich Man," which I hope will help to clarify the concept of grammatical mood. (Sometimes I add to earlier posts when ideas occur to me.)

We'll start with the concepts of amount and number.

The word "amount" refers to mass or quantity. It is used with things that are measured in bulk and cannot be counted in units. We use it with things such as these: bread, cheese, milk, rainfall, happiness, evidence, news, and
information, but it should NEVER be used with items that can be counted individually. It is INCORRECT to say that a large AMOUNT of people attended a concert; instead say a large NUMBER of people attended. The word "amount" is often followed by the preposition "of" before a singular noun, and it always takes a singular verb. (A large amount IS, not ARE...) The following sentences use "amount'" correctly:
           The amount of support he received astonished him.
           After the storm, a large amount of debris littered the streets.

The word "number" is used with items that can be counted, and it is followed by
a plural noun, naming persons, places, or things which are discrete and separable units.

The verb that follows "number" can be singular or plural. When the sentence
refers to the number itself, taken as a unit, and not to individuals being counted, the verb is singular. In such sentences, the word "number" is preceded by the definite article, "the."
These sentences use "number" followed by a singular verb:
            The number of applicants IS increasing.
            What IS the number of absent students?
 
After an indefinite article, "a" or "an," the word "number" refers to individual units and takes a plural verb. In the following sentences, "number" is used correctly:
             A number of the books ARE lost.
             An enormous number of homes HAVE been damaged by the flood.

Each of these sentences uses "amount" and "number" correctly:
            The NUMBER of calls we received reflects the AMOUNT of interest in
                 our plan.
             We'll have to buy a large AMOUNT of food for that NUMBER of guests.
             The NUMBER of coins she collected was worth a large AMOUNT of
                 money.
             The large NUMBER of acres that are burning requires a greater
                 AMOUNT of water.                                                                                 
In the above sentences, you can see that "amount" tells us how much, and "number" tells us how many.

These adjectives are used to describe "amount" and "number":
                               amount                                      number
                                 little                                           few
                                 less                                           fewer
                                 much                                         many
                                 more                                          more

In the above columns, notice that "fewer" is listed under "number." It is the comparative degree of the adjective "few," and, like "number," it is used with persons, places, and things that can be counted. "Fewer" modifies nouns that are plural.
Here are some sentences in which "fewer" is used correctly:
          Fewer than four boys arrived for practice.
          Fewer than twenty people responded to our email.
          We were disappointed to hear that fewer than five of us would be
             accepted.
          I lost fewer pounds on this diet than on the other one.
          My house has fewer square feet than yours.
          My new job has fewer days of vacation than my old job did.
          Do these cookies have fewer calories than those?

In the chart showing the adjectives that go with "amount" and "number," notice
that "less" is listed under "amount," in line with "fewer." It is the comparative degree of "little," and, unlike "fewer," it can be an adverb as well as an adjective. "Less" refers to degree, extent, or amount, and it modifies singular nouns that name uncountable things, such as luggage, furniture, courage, corn, excitement, paper, and supervision. Singular nouns preceded by "a" or "an" will not take "less." It uses a singular verb.
The following sentences use "less" correctly:
            This recipe is better for diabetics because it requires less sugar.
            The meteorologist forecasts less precipitation this winter.
            Did your doctor recommend that you eat less salt? 
            Newer appliances consume less energy than the older ones.

These statements show the difference between "fewer" and "less":
           1. Fewer" refers to a smaller number, and "less" refers to a smaller
                   amount.
           2. Less" means "not as much," and 'fewer" means "not as many."
           3. If you can count individual items, use "fewer," and if you can't,
                   use "less."

An AMOUNT of something can consist of a NUMBER of individual units, so you can have LESS of the amount and FEWER of the units, as in:
          LESS time, FEWER hours         LESS money, FEWER quarters
          LESS work, FEWER jobs          LESS candy, FEWER jelly beans
          LESS tonnage, FEWER ships   LESS manpower, FEWER men
          LESS light, FEWER bulbs         LESS postage, FEWER stamps
          LESS travel, FEWER trips         LESS laughter, FEWER laughs

Each of the following sentences uses "fewer' and "less" correctly:
             LESS effort was exerted, so FEWER results were achieved.
             She's trying to eat FEWER chips and drink LESS soda.
             The LESS money you have in your account, the FEWER
                 unnecessary purchases you should make.
             We had FEWER school cancellations this year because there was LESS
                 snow.
              She lost weight because she consumed LESS fat and FEWER calories.

In general, it's true that "less" is used only with singular nouns, but there is an exception: references to units of time, weight, distance, measurement, and
money, which are treated as amounts and not as individual counted units.
In these situations the plural noun is regarded as a single entity. "Less" is also
used with numbers used alone and with mathematical statements.
Here are some examples:
     less than an hour                less than five dollars       less than $100
     less than three miles           less than two minutes     less than twelve years old
     less than two cups of flour  less than two years ago  less than 2/3 of the vote
     less than 20 percent           less than five pounds      less than ten yards
                                                 4 is less than 8
                       
                                                                                            
P.S. The supermarket sign "10 Items or Less" is incorrect.
P.P.S. Don't forget that "fewer in number" is redundant.

The Farther I Go, the Further Behind I Get(farther and further)

The easier of the two words, "farther," is the comparative degree of "far." (far, farther, farthest)  It means "at a greater distance" and refers to actual spatial measurement.

The following sentences use "farther" correctly:
        We arrived at the airport later than they did because we live
            FARTHER away.
        My new car drives FARTHER on a tank of gas than my old one.
        I'm too tired to walk any FARTHER.
        Plant the tree FARTHER than ten feet from the house.
        We can't drive any FARTHER on this road without chains.
        She jogs a mile FARTHER than I.
        Boston is FARTHER from Los Angeles than from Las Vegas.
        Our house is FARTHER from town than theirs.

In the above sentences, notice the following:
       1. The word "farther" can be replaced by "(at a) greater distance."
       2. The distance is physical, spatial, or geographical.
       3. The word "farther" has "far" in it.


The word "further" means "to a greater extent or degree" or "additional."  It is a more abstract term, is not physical or tangible, involves no actual measurement of distance, and is not related to the word "far."

The following sentences use "further" correctly:
             Let's discuss this idea FURTHER in my office.
             Because of new evidence, the trial faces FURTHER delay.
             We won't be able to answer your questions until we are FURTHER    
                 along in our research.
             I'll consider the matter FURTHER.
             This topic requires FURTHER study.
             The hospital provided no FURTHER details on his condition.
             Their techniques have been FURTHER refined.
             We'll pursue the subject FURTHER in our next class.
             The judge is expecting FURTHER proof.
             They plan to study the proposal FURTHER.
             The lawyer needs FURTHER evidence to support his case.
              If there are no FURTHER questions, we'll proceed.
             The jury needed time for FURTHER deliberation.

In the above sentences, notice that there is no mention of physical distance.

The following sentences use both words correctly:
   1. To FURTHER prove that she increased her stamina, she rode two              
          miles FARTHER.
   2. The FARTHER I travel from the office, the FURTHER behind schedule I am.


Confusion can arise when it seems that a distance is involved, but it's not an actual physical distance, as in these sentences:
    1. Nothing could be FURTHER from the truth.
    2. We drifted FURTHER apart.
    3. This relationship can go no FURTHER.
    4. The dispute has driven the two sides FURTHER apart.

In sentences like the above, it can be argued that "farther" and "further" are
interchangeable, with the following guidelines:
    1. Sometimes "farther" can be used in a figurative or metaphorical sense.
    2. In any situation, if you aren't sure about which to choose, use "further"  
         unless the statement involves actual physical distance.


P.S. It should be noted that "further" can also be a verb that means "to
advance," as in "further his cause," "further your education," or
"further your career."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

         



             

If I Were a Rich Man....(subjunctive mood)

Today's post is a response to the first question I've received on this blog.
(Thanks,Pat!) The question is published on the "lie and lay" post and asks why we say "if I were" instead of "if I was."


The most important word in a sentence is the verb; in fact, you can have a complete sentence with one verb and no other word. The verb's form can tell you what its mood is. Mood shows the speaker's state of mind and his concept of the verb he is using. There are three moods, and each reflects the way the speaker or writer regards the sentence:
              as a statement or a question- the indicative mood
              as a command or request- the imperative mood
              as a supposition, hypothesis, recommendation, or condition contrary
                  to fact-the subjunctive mood

Most verbs are in the indicative mood, as in these sentences:
              Tom played football in college.
              Did Tom play football in college?

Less commonly used is the imperative mood, which is a command or request.
Verbs in the imperative mood are in the second person, which means that the speaker is directly addressing a person or persons. The subject of a verb in the imperative mood is the personal pronoun "you," which can be singular or plural. Usually the "you" is not spoken, but understood, as in these sentences:
              Leave the package by the door.
              Please pass the butter.
              Listen! (This is a complete sentence with one word.)

      
Today's post will focus on the subjunctive mood, which is the least commonly used. We've all heard it in such phrases as these:
             as it WERE                 God BLESS you                 Heaven FORBID
             far BE it from me         long live the King               God HELP us
             BE that as it may        PERISH the thought           SUFFICE it to say
                                                wish you WERE here
      
The subjunctive mood is used to demand or suggest, to express a wish, or to make a statement that is contrary to fact. Verbs in the subjunctive mood express hypothetical or imaginary situations as opposed to factual ones. The verb that is most often used in the subjunctive is the verb "to be," which has only two subjunctive forms: "be" in the present, used in commands and suggestions, and "were" in the past, used in contrary-to-fact statements and in statements expressing a wish. When verbs other than "to be" are in the present subjunctive mood, the only change in form is the dropping of the "s" in the third person singular. The conjunction "if' is frequently used with the subjunctive mood, as well as "that," and, less frequently, "lest."
   

The following sentences use the subjunctive to demand, recommend, urge,
or suggest:
                         We insist that you BE reimbursed.
                         I vote that she BE admitted.
                        The committee has ruled that the decision BE deferred until
                             tomorrow.
                         It's essential that he ARRIVE on time.
                         I suggest that he REMAIN after class.
                         It is necessary that the parents BE informed.
                         I recommend that everyone SEE this movie.
                        We demand that the leader RESIGN and the matter BE dropped.
                         It is imperative that another doctor BE consulted.
                         I propose that the rule BE adopted.
                         It is important that he KNOW the truth.

In the above sentences, notice the following:
   1. The subjunctive mood is used in "that" clauses expressing commands,
          requests, or suggestions.
   2. The verbs in the clauses beginning with "that" are in the present tense.
   3. In the present subjunctive, the verb "to be" uses "be" with all subjects, and
         other verbs drop the "s" in the third person singular.
    

When the subjunctive is used to express a wish, the verb "wish" is followed by
a clause with a verb in the past tense, as in "I wish you liked pizza." (The word
"that" is understood.)

These sentences use the subjunctive to express a wish:
                         She wishes she WERE taller.
                         I wish I WERE at the beach.  
                         I wish that this day WERE over.
                         He wishes that he KNEW the answer.
                         We wish we COULD attend your party.
                         I wish you WEREN'T leaving.
                         I wish you WERE going with me.
                         He wishes he HAD a new bike.
                         I wish it WERE possible for me to attend.

In the above sentences, notice the following:
1.  The subjunctive is used in "that" clauses following the verb "wish,"
       implying that the clause is stating an idea that is hypothetical, unlikely,
       or doubtful.
2, The verb "wish" is followed by a clause with a past tense verb.
3. The past subjunctive form of the verb is the same as the past indicative,
       except for "were."
4. Just like "be" in the present subjunctive, "were" is used with all subjects,
        singular or plural.


The third use of the subjunctive mood is in statements that focus on an idea that
 is unlikely, impossible, or contrary to fact, and the past subjunctive is used in
 "if" clauses that express such conditions.
                                                                            
The following sentences use the subjunctive in a statement that is contrary to fact:
                          If I WERE you, I wouldn't worry. (I am not you.)
                          If he WERE faster, he'd be on the team.
                          If she WERE more attentive, she'd be a good student.
                          If I WERE a year older, I could get my license. 
                          If she WERE here, she would help us.
                          If I BELIEVED you, I would need my head examined.
                          If he WALKED through that door tomorrow, I would not be
                             surprised. (The past is used in speaking of a future event,
                             showing that it's unlikely.)

In the above sentences, notice the following:
1. The "if" clause states an idea that is not a fact.
2. The verb in the "if" clause is in the past tense.
3. The past subjunctive form of the verb is the same as the past indicative,
       except for "were."
4. The verb "were" is used for all subjects, singular or plural.


P.S. The subjunctive is also used in wishes that begin with "If only."
P.P.S. If your wish is for something in the past, use the auxiliary verb "had,"
           as in "I wish I had been there when you called."



                              
                      
          

               
                   

The American Way (pronunciation of "ile" words)

On each side of the Atlantic there is a difference in the pronunciation of many adjectives ending in "ile": the British rhyme them with "mile," and Americans rhyme them with "hill." Here are some examples:


               hostile                            agile                                fragile

               docile                             facile                               fertile

               futile                               sterile                              tactile

               tensile                            mobile                             virile

              volatile                            versatile                          infertile

              nubile                              puerile                            servile

                                                     ductile



Exceptions: infantile, juvenile, senile                     



 P.S. This also applies to the noun "missile."




              

                  

Stress Management #3 (accented syllables)

There are a few two-syllable words that can be adjectives or verbs, depending
on which syllable is accented: as adjectives, the first is stressed, and as verbs the second. Here are some of them:


                          Adjectives                                              Verbs

                          FREquent                                           freQUENT

                          ABsent                                                abSENT

                          PERfect                                              perFECT




A few words that can be adjectives or nouns have a similar accent shift:


                            Adjectives                                           Nouns

                           miNUTE                                             MINute

                           comPLEX                                           COMplex

                           inVALid                                              INvalid

              

                

                       

                        

Stress Management #2 (accented syllables)

Additional words related to my last post:



                       Nouns                                                          Verbs

                  TRANSplant                                                  transPLANT

                  INcrease                                                        inCREASE

                  DEcrease                                                      deCREASE

                  PROtest                                                         proTEST

                  TRANSfer                                                      transFER

                  EXport                                                           exPORT

                  IMport                                                            imPORT

                 TRANSport                                                    transPORT

                 COMbat                                                         comBAT

                 REfund                                                           reFUND

                 IMprint                                                            imPRINT

                 COMpound                                                    comPOUND

                 DEtail                                                             deTAIL

                 ALly                                                                alLY

                 ANnex                                                            anNEX

                 FInance                                                         finANCE

                 CONtrast                                                       conTRAST

                                                                                                                                                                 

Stress Management (accented syllables)

Yesterday I heard a news announcer say that the station SURveyed people about something. I didn't hear any more because my ears quit after "surveyed." Once more a person whose profession is public speaking provided a topic for my blog.

There are some two-syllable words that can be nouns or verbs, depending on which syllable is accented: as nouns, the first is stressed, and as verbs the second. Here are some of those words:

                        Nouns                                                           Verbs

                      SURvey                                                         surVEY

                      PERmit                                                          perMIT

                      INsult                                                             inSULT

                     TORment                                                       torMENT

                     EScort                                                           esCORT

                     CONtract                                                       conTRACT

                     DIScharge                                                     disCHARGE

                    FRAGment                                                     fragMENT

                    PRESent                                                        preSENT

                    PERfume                                                       perFUME

                    REFuse                                                         reFUSE
                    
                    AFfix                                                              afFIX
        
                   SUBject                                                          subJECT

                   REcall                                                             reCALL

Hold the Fort #2 (commonly mispronounced words)

Here are more words that are frequently mispronounced:


sherbet- second syllable pronounced "bet," not "bert"

sloth- rhymes with "both," not "cloth"

clique- rhymes with "geek," not "sick"

cerebral- first syllable stressed, not second-CERebral

zoology- first syllable rhymes with "so," not "boo"

genealogy- third syllable "al," not "ol"

processes- last syllable sounds like "iz," not "eez"

Hold the Fort! (commonly mispronounced words)

Many words are mispronounced so often that their correct pronunciation seems strange because it's unfamiliar. Eventually these mispronunciations make their way into the dictionary as accepted and even preferred! My mother used to say, "Right is right if no one is right!"



Here are a few words that are commonly mispronounced:


cache - "cash," not "cashay" - something hidden away-   a cache of food for an
                emergency  (There is a word pronounced "cashay," which is spelled
                "cachet" and means "prestige.")

covert-  related to "cover" - first syllable sounds like "kuv" - hidden - covert
                operations

err- sounds like "fur," not "air"- to make a mistake

forte- sounds like "fort," not "fortay"- a strong point

harass- stress on the first syllable, not the second- "HAR as"

lingerie- ends with  the sound "ree," not "ray"

reprise- rhymes with "please," not "prize"

schism- has no "k" sound- is pronounced "sism"