At 09:24 AM 7/20/01 -0500, you wrote:
>Also, a really funny thing to say (because not many people say it correctly):
>"Are these the papers you need me to grade?"
>"Yes, these are they."

For some reason, "I" sounds so much more elegant, sophisticated, and proper
than "me."  Unfortunately, not only is it incorrect, but for those who
recognize the error, it also sounds pompous.

For me, however, the most interesting aspect of your post was the "Yes,
these are they" construction.  I'm fascinated by how the most awkward
constructions are actually required based on how you start a sentence.  As
soon as the dreaded "these" is used to start the sentence, it only goes
downhill from there into a quagmire of muddy usage.  But here is a good
example of when not to use "these," but start with the actual subject
"they."  "Yes, they are" would be preferred usage.

My question - is there a technique that anyone uses to teach when to use
"This is" and "These/Those are" as introductions, and when to use the
actual subject instead?

Geoff Layton

PS:  For all those who missed the "convention" at Park - too bad!  It was
great.  To Jeff and Bob - thank you!

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