Florida has a peninsula but no isthmus: we think of East Coast, West Coast, and Caribbean(?) when describing peninsula Florida. We never normally say 'peninsula'; it is assumed unless you state "Panhandle." Scott -------------------------------------------------- From: "ATEG automatic digest system" <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, September 30, 2011 12:00 AM To: <[log in to unmask]> Subject: ATEG Digest - 27 Sep 2011 to 29 Sep 2011 (#2011-186) > There are 10 messages totalling 1053 lines in this issue. > > Topics of the day: > > 1. Word usage problem? (9) > 2. the Oxford comma > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:08:40 -0700 > From: Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Word usage problem? > > --563393889-1027299409-1317305320=:76247 > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > Dear List Members: > =A0 > This morning in class, the students and I came across a sentence in their > g= > rammar handbook that apparently contains a misusage of some sort that we > co= > uld not identify: > =A0 > The Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. > =A0 > The only explanation we could some up with is that "three sides" should be > = > replaced with "all sides" because a peninsula only has three sides and an > i= > sthmus. Or does it have two sides? > =A0 > Best- > =A0 > Carol > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > --563393889-1027299409-1317305320=:76247 > Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > <table cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" ><tr><td > valign=3D"= > top" style=3D"font: inherit;"><DIV>Dear List Members:</DIV> > <DIV> </DIV> > <DIV>This <FONT face=3D"arial, helvetica, sans-serif">morning</FONT> in > cla= > ss, the students and I came across a sentence in their grammar handbook > tha= > t apparently contains a misusage of some sort that we could not > identify:</= > DIV> > <DIV> </DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3D"courier, monaco, monospace, sans-serif">The Keweenaw > Pen= > insula is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior.</FONT></DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3D"Courier New"></FONT> </DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3D"tahoma, new york, times, serif">The only explanation we > = > could some up with is that "three sides" should be replaced with "all > sides= > " because a peninsula only has three sides and an isthmus. Or does it have > = > two sides?</FONT></DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma></FONT> </DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma>Best-</FONT></DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma></FONT> </DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma>Carol</FONT></DIV></td></tr></table> > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > <p> > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > --563393889-1027299409-1317305320=:76247-- > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:31:04 +0000 > From: "Spruiell, William C" <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > Carol, > > The author may be objecting to "surrounded," based on a hyper-literal > read= > ing ("if it's not encircled, it's not surrounded"). I've seen some similar > = > examples, although usually in older books (for example, an author > objecting= > to "audience" for a group of people watching a visual performance). > > Bill Spruiell > > On Sep 29, 2011, at 10:08 AM, "Carol Morrison" > <[log in to unmask]<mail= > to:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: > > Dear List Members: > > This morning in class, the students and I came across a sentence in their > g= > rammar handbook that apparently contains a misusage of some sort that we > co= > uld not identify: > > The Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. > > The only explanation we could some up with is that "three sides" should be > = > replaced with "all sides" because a peninsula only has three sides and an > i= > sthmus. Or does it have two sides? > > Best- > > Carol > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > = > at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > leave= > the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at <http://ateg.org/> http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:32:47 -0700 > From: Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > --1460388173-1440420448-1317306767=:23697 > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > The only explanation we could *come* up with...(sorry!) > > --- On Thu, 9/29/11, Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > From: Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Word usage problem? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 10:08 AM > > > > > > > > Dear List Members: > =A0 > This morning in class, the students and I came across a sentence in their > g= > rammar handbook that apparently contains a misusage of some sort that we > co= > uld not identify: > =A0 > The Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. > =A0 > The only explanation we could some up with is that "three sides" should be > = > replaced with "all sides" because a peninsula only has three sides and an > i= > sthmus. Or does it have two sides? > =A0 > Best- > =A0 > CarolTo join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web > inter= > face at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > = > leave the list"=20 > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > --1460388173-1440420448-1317306767=:23697 > Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > <table cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" ><tr><td > valign=3D"= > top" style=3D"font: inherit;">The only explanation we could *come* up > with.= > ..(sorry!)<BR><BR>--- On <B>Thu, 9/29/11, Carol Morrison > <I><carollynne4= > [log in to unmask]></I></B> wrote:<BR> > <BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: > 5= > px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><BR>From: Carol Morrison > <[log in to unmask]&g= > t;<BR>Subject: Word usage problem?<BR>To: > [log in to unmask]<BR>Date:= > Thursday, September 29, 2011, 10:08 AM<BR><BR> > <DIV id=3Dyiv1958124330> > <TABLE border=3D0 cellSpacing=3D0 cellPadding=3D0> > <TBODY> > <TR> > <TD vAlign=3Dtop> > <DIV>Dear List Members:</DIV> > <DIV> </DIV> > <DIV>This <FONT face=3D"arial, helvetica, sans-serif">morning</FONT> in > cla= > ss, the students and I came across a sentence in their grammar handbook > tha= > t apparently contains a misusage of some sort that we could not > identify:</= > DIV> > <DIV> </DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3D"courier, monaco, monospace, sans-serif">The Keweenaw > Pen= > insula is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior.</FONT></DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3D"Courier New"></FONT> </DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3D"tahoma, new york, times, serif">The only explanation we > = > could some up with is that "three sides" should be replaced with "all > sides= > " because a peninsula only has three sides and an isthmus. Or does it have > = > two sides?</FONT></DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma></FONT> </DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma>Best-</FONT></DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma></FONT> </DIV> > <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma>Carol</FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>To > joi= > n or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: > ht= > tp://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the > l= > ist"=20 > <DIV>Visit ATEG's web site at > http://ateg.org/</DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></td= >></tr></table> > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > <p> > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > --1460388173-1440420448-1317306767=:23697-- > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:50:36 -0400 > From: "Hancock, Craig G" <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > It's also possible that "Peninsula" connotes "surrounded on three > side= > s," so this would be mildly redundant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula juts into > L= > ake Superior" or "is bounded by Lake superior." Something like that would > b= > e cleaner. > It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of > disc= > overing error in the same way that drug companies are in the business of > di= > scovering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving (to > the= > companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side > effects= > . > The best way to avoid error is to shut up or die. > We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something comparable > = > to holistic medicine.=20 > Holistic grammar? It might get attention. > Craig > =20 > ________________________________________ > From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar > [[log in to unmask] > U] On Behalf Of Carol Morrison [[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 10:32 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > The only explanation we could *come* up with...(sorry!) > > --- On Thu, 9/29/11, Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > From: Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Word usage problem? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 10:08 AM > > Dear List Members: > > This morning in class, the students and I came across a sentence in their > g= > rammar handbook that apparently contains a misusage of some sort that we > co= > uld not identify: > > The Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. > > The only explanation we could some up with is that "three sides" should be > = > replaced with "all sides" because a peninsula only has three sides and an > i= > sthmus. Or does it have two sides? > > Best- > > Carol > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > = > at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > leave= > the list" > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > = > at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > leave= > the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:03:23 -0500 > From: John Dews-Alexander <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > --20cf3042719c2220b304ae15d1b1 > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Perhaps the author objects to the passive voice (although I'm not sure > what > the justification would be if the sentence is in isolation)? By the way, a > Google search of the sentence shows several sites, including the Keeneshaw > Chamber of Commerce, using that wording. The natives don't seem to object! > > John > > On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM, Hancock, Craig G > <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > >> It's also possible that "Peninsula" connotes "surrounded on three >> sides," so this would be mildly redundant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula juts >> into Lake Superior" or "is bounded by Lake superior." Something like that >> would be cleaner. >> It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of >> discovering error in the same way that drug companies are in the business >> of >> discovering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving (to >> the companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side >> effects. >> The best way to avoid error is to shut up or die. >> We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something comparable >> to holistic medicine. >> Holistic grammar? It might get attention. >> Craig >> >> ________________________________________ >> From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [ >> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carol Morrison [ >> [log in to unmask]] >> Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 10:32 AM >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: Re: Word usage problem? >> >> The only explanation we could *come* up with...(sorry!) >> >> --- On Thu, 9/29/11, Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> >> From: Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> >> Subject: Word usage problem? >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 10:08 AM >> >> Dear List Members: >> >> This morning in class, the students and I came across a sentence in their >> grammar handbook that apparently contains a misusage of some sort that we >> could not identify: >> >> The Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. >> >> The only explanation we could some up with is that "three sides" should >> be >> replaced with "all sides" because a peninsula only has three sides and an >> isthmus. Or does it have two sides? >> >> Best- >> >> Carol >> >> To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web >> interface >> at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or >> leave the list" >> Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ >> >> To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web >> interface >> at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or >> leave the list" >> >> Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ >> >> To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web >> interface >> at: >> http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html >> and select "Join or leave the list" >> >> Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ >> > > > > -- > -- > John > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > --20cf3042719c2220b304ae15d1b1 > Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > Perhaps the author objects to the passive voice (although I'm not sure > = > what the justification would be if the sentence is in isolation)? By the > wa= > y, a Google search of the sentence shows several sites, including the > Keene= > shaw Chamber of Commerce, using that wording. The natives don't seem > to= > object!<br> > > <br>John<br><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote">On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 9:50 > AM,= > Hancock, Craig G <span dir=3D"ltr"><<a > href=3D"mailto:[log in to unmask] > du">[log in to unmask]</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote > class=3D"gmail= > _quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc > solid;padding-left:= > 1ex;"> > > =A0 =A0 It's also possible that "Peninsula" connotes > "s= > urrounded on three sides," so this would be mildly redundant. > "Th= > e Keeneshaw Peninsula juts into Lake Superior" or "is bounded by > = > Lake superior." Something like that would be cleaner.<br> > > > =A0 =A0It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of > = > discovering error in the same way that drug companies are in the business > o= > f discovering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving > (to= > the companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side > eff= > ects.<br> > > > =A0 The best way to avoid error is to shut up or die.<br> > =A0 We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something > comparabl= > e to holistic medicine.<br> > =A0 Holistic grammar? It might get attention.<br> > Craig<br> > <br> > ________________________________________<br> > From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [<a > href=3D"mailto:ATEG@= > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > <p> > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:12:08 -0700 >From: Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > --2055901420-1677192483-1317309128=:74821 > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > Craig: > =A0 > =A0If this=A0were a post on Facebook, I'd hit=A0"like," especially the > part= > about drug companies "discovering new diseases." I did tell the students > t= > hat I would present the question to the members of ATEG, so that maybe > they= > could come up with answer or consensus. The students=A0were very > impressed= > that a panel of experts would be presented with the usage problem, as the > = > answer was not in the back of their books. They were also surprised that I > = > did not have the answer.=A0(Only=A0"lettered" answers are=A0provided and > th= > is was a "numbered" question).=A0As we all know, there is only ever one > cor= > rect answer when it comes to grammar. (kidding, of course)=A0Thank you for > = > your response and thanks to Bill for his response also! > Best- > Carol > > --- On Thu, 9/29/11, Hancock, Craig G <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > From: Hancock, Craig G <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 10:50 AM > > > =A0 =A0=A0=A0It's also possible that "Peninsula" connotes "surrounded on > th= > ree sides," so this would be mildly redundant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula > jut= > s into Lake Superior" or "is bounded by Lake superior." Something like > that= > would be cleaner. > =A0 =A0 It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of > = > discovering error in the same way that drug companies are in the business > o= > f discovering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving > (to= > the companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side > eff= > ects. > =A0=A0=A0The best way to avoid error is to shut up or die. > =A0=A0=A0We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something > compa= > rable to holistic medicine.=20 > =A0=A0=A0Holistic grammar? It might get attention. > Craig > =A0 =A0=20 > ________________________________________ > From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar > [[log in to unmask] > U] On Behalf Of Carol Morrison [[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 10:32 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > The only explanation we could *come* up with...(sorry!) > > --- On Thu, 9/29/11, Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > From: Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Word usage problem? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 10:08 AM > > Dear List Members: > > This morning in class, the students and I came across a sentence in their > g= > rammar handbook that apparently contains a misusage of some sort that we > co= > uld not identify: > > The Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. > > The only explanation we could some up with is that "three sides" should be > = > replaced with "all sides" because a peninsula only has three sides and an > i= > sthmus. Or does it have two sides? > > Best- > > Carol > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > = > at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > leave= > the list" > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > = > at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > leave= > the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > = > at: > =A0 =A0=A0=A0http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > --2055901420-1677192483-1317309128=:74821 > Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > <table cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" ><tr><td > valign=3D"= > top" style=3D"font: inherit;"><DIV>Craig:</DIV> > <DIV> </DIV> > <DIV> If this were a post on Facebook, I'd hit "like," > espec= > ially the part about drug companies "discovering new diseases." I did tell > = > the students that I would present the question to the members of ATEG, so > t= > hat maybe they could come up with answer or consensus. The > students we= > re very impressed that a panel of experts would be presented with the > usage= > problem, as the answer was not in the back of their books. They were also > = > surprised that I did not have the answer. (Only "lettered" > answer= > s are provided and this was a "numbered" question). As we all > kno= > w, there is only ever<EM> one</EM> correct answer when it comes to > grammar.= > (kidding, of course) Thank you for your response and thanks to Bill > f= > or his response also!</DIV> > <DIV>Best-</DIV> > <DIV>Carol<BR><BR>--- On <B>Thu, 9/29/11, Hancock, Craig G > <I><chancock@= > ALBANY.EDU></I></B> wrote:<BR></DIV> > <BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: > 5= > px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><BR>From: Hancock, Craig G > <[log in to unmask]>= > ;<BR>Subject: Re: Word usage problem?<BR>To: > [log in to unmask]<BR>Da= > te: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 10:50 AM<BR><BR> > <DIV class=3DplainMail> It's also possible that > "Pe= > ninsula" connotes "surrounded on three sides," so this would be mildly > redu= > ndant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula juts into Lake Superior" or "is bounded by > = > Lake superior." Something like that would be cleaner.<BR> It > s= > eems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of discovering > = > error in the same way that drug companies are in the business of > discoverin= > g new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving (to the > compani= > es) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side > effects.<BR>&nb= > sp; The best way to avoid error is to shut up or > die.<BR> &= > nbsp; We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something > com= > parable to holistic medicine. <BR> Holistic grammar? It > mi= > ght get attention.<BR>Craig<BR> > <BR>__________________________= > ______________<BR>From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar > [<A > href=3D"http:[log in to unmask] > MUOHIO.EDU" > ymailto=3D"mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask] > O.EDU</A>] On Behalf Of Carol Morrison [<A > href=3D"http://us.mc1121.mail.ya= > [log in to unmask]" > ymailto=3D"mailto:carollynn= > [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>]<BR>Sent: Thursday, September > 29,= > 2011 10:32 AM<BR>To: <A > href=3D"http://us.mc1121.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose= > [log in to unmask]" > ymailto=3D"mailto:[log in to unmask]"= >>[log in to unmask]</A><BR>Subject: Re: Word usage >>problem?<BR><BR>Th= > e only explanation we could *come* up with...(sorry!)<BR><BR>--- On Thu, > 9/= > 29/11, Carol Morrison <<A > href=3D"http://us.mc1121.mail.yahoo.com/mc/com= > [log in to unmask]" > ymailto=3D"mailto:[log in to unmask]"= >>[log in to unmask]</A>> wrote:<BR><BR>From: Carol Morrison <<A >>h= > ref=3D"http:[log in to unmask] > OM" > ymailto=3D"mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>><B= > R>Subject: Word usage problem?<BR>To: <A > href=3D"http://us.mc1121.mail.yaho= > [log in to unmask]" > ymailto=3D"mailto:ATEG@LIST= > SERV.MUOHIO.EDU">[log in to unmask]</A><BR>Date: Thursday, September > = > 29, 2011, 10:08 AM<BR><BR>Dear List Members:<BR><BR>This morning in class, > = > the students and I came across a sentence in their grammar handbook that > ap= > parently contains a misusage of some sort that we could not > identify:<BR><B= > R>The Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by Lake > Superior.<BR>= > <BR>The only explanation we could some up with is that "three sides" > should= > be replaced with "all sides" because a peninsula only has three sides and > = > an isthmus. Or does it have two sides?<BR><BR>Best-<BR><BR>Carol<BR><BR>To > = > join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at:= > <A href=3D"http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html" > target=3D_blank>http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html</A> and > sele= > ct "Join or leave the list"<BR>Visit ATEG's web site at <A > href=3D"http://a= > teg.org/" target=3D_blank>http://ateg.org/</A><BR><BR>To join or leave > this= > LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: <A > href=3D"http:/= > /listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html" > target=3D_blank>http://listserv.mu= > ohio.edu/archives/ateg.html</A> and select "Join or leave the > list"<BR><BR>= > Visit ATEG's web site at <A href=3D"http://ateg.org/" > target=3D_blank>http:= > //ateg.org/</A><BR><BR>To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit > th= > e list's web interface at:<BR> <A > href=3D"http://li= > stserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html" > target=3D_blank>http://listserv.muohi= > o.edu/archives/ateg.html</A><BR>and select "Join or leave the > list"<BR><BR>= > Visit ATEG's web site at <A href=3D"http://ateg.org/" > target=3D_blank>http:= > //ateg.org/</A><BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></td></tr></table> > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > <p> > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > --2055901420-1677192483-1317309128=:74821-- > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:15:26 -0700 > From: Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > ---204894949-1671283779-1317309326=:43041 > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > Thanks for checking, John. Oh, and the textbook also spells "Keeneshaw" > inc= > orrectly according to the way you and Craig have spelled it. > > --- On Thu, 9/29/11, John Dews-Alexander <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > From: John Dews-Alexander <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 11:03 AM > > > Perhaps the author objects to the passive voice (although I'm not sure > what= > the justification would be if the sentence is in isolation)? By the way, > a= > Google search of the sentence shows several sites, including the > Keeneshaw= > Chamber of Commerce, using that wording. The natives don't seem to object! > > John > > > On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM, Hancock, Craig G <[log in to unmask]> > wro= > te: > > =A0 =A0 It's also possible that "Peninsula" connotes "surrounded on three > s= > ides," so this would be mildly redundant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula juts > int= > o Lake Superior" or "is bounded by Lake superior." Something like that > woul= > d be cleaner. > =A0 =A0It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of > d= > iscovering error in the same way that drug companies are in the business > of= > discovering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving (to > = > the companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side > effe= > cts. > =A0 The best way to avoid error is to shut up or die. > =A0 We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something > comparable= > to holistic medicine. > =A0 Holistic grammar? It might get attention. > Craig > > ________________________________________ > From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [ Visit ATEG's web site > = > at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > ---204894949-1671283779-1317309326=:43041 > Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > <table cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" ><tr><td > valign=3D"= > top" style=3D"font: inherit;">Thanks for checking, John. Oh, and the > textbo= > ok also spells "Keeneshaw" incorrectly according to the way you and Craig > h= > ave spelled it.<BR><BR>--- On <B>Thu, 9/29/11, John Dews-Alexander > <I><j= > [log in to unmask]></I></B> wrote:<BR> > <BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: > 5= > px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><BR>From: John Dews-Alexander > <jed.alexander@GMAIL= > .COM><BR>Subject: Re: Word usage problem?<BR>To: > [log in to unmask] > U<BR>Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 11:03 AM<BR><BR> > <DIV id=3Dyiv1803643763>Perhaps the author objects to the passive voice > (al= > though I'm not sure what the justification would be if the sentence is in > i= > solation)? By the way, a Google search of the sentence shows several > sites,= > including the Keeneshaw Chamber of Commerce, using that wording. The > nativ= > es don't seem to object!<BR><BR>John<BR><BR> > <DIV class=3Dyiv1803643763gmail_quote>On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM, > Hanc= > ock, Craig G <SPAN dir=3Dltr><<A > href=3D"http://us.mc1121.mail.yahoo.com= > [log in to unmask]" rel=3Dnofollow target=3D_blank > ymailt= > o=3D"mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>></SPAN> > wrote:<= > BR> > <BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px > 0.8ex= > ; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex" class=3Dyiv1803643763gmail_quote> It's > al= > so possible that "Peninsula" connotes "surrounded on three sides," so this > = > would be mildly redundant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula juts into Lake > Superior= > " or "is bounded by Lake superior." Something like that would be > cleaner.<B= > R> It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the > busin= > ess of discovering error in the same way that drug companies are in the > bus= > iness of discovering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self > serv= > ing (to the companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious > s= > ide effects.<BR> The best way to avoid error is to shut up or > die.<BR= >> We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something >>compar= > able to holistic medicine.<BR> Holistic grammar? It might get > attenti= > on.<BR>Craig<BR><BR>________________________________________<BR>From: > Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [<A > href=3D"http://us.mc1121.= > mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=3DATEG@To join or leave this LISTSERV list, > pl= > ease visit the list's web interface at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/arch= > ives/ateg.htmland select" rel=3Dnofollow target=3D_blank > ymailto=3D"mailto:= > ATEG@To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web > inter= > face at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html &#= > 10;and select "> Visit ATEG's web site at > http://ateg.org/</A></BLOCKQUOTE>= > </DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></td></tr></table> > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > <p> > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > ---204894949-1671283779-1317309326=:43041-- > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:22:50 -0500 > From: John Dews-Alexander <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > --90e6ba6e8cdcb1991e04ae16161d > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Actually, I have no idea why I spelled it that way. I must have glanced up > at Craig's post when spelling it. Keweenaw peninsula is indeed the one the > text is referencing as reflected on the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce > website. Sorry for the confusion. I do know of a Keenesaw, Georgia > coincidentally. > > John > > On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 10:15 AM, Carol Morrison > <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > >> Thanks for checking, John. Oh, and the textbook also spells "Keeneshaw" >> incorrectly according to the way you and Craig have spelled it. >> >> --- On *Thu, 9/29/11, John Dews-Alexander >> <[log in to unmask]>*wrote: >> >> >> From: John Dews-Alexander <[log in to unmask]> >> Subject: Re: Word usage problem? >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 11:03 AM >> >> Perhaps the author objects to the passive voice (although I'm not sure >> what >> the justification would be if the sentence is in isolation)? By the way, >> a >> Google search of the sentence shows several sites, including the >> Keeneshaw >> Chamber of Commerce, using that wording. The natives don't seem to >> object! >> >> John >> >> On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM, Hancock, Craig G >> <[log in to unmask]<http:[log in to unmask]> >> > wrote: >> >> It's also possible that "Peninsula" connotes "surrounded on three >> sides," so this would be mildly redundant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula juts >> into Lake Superior" or "is bounded by Lake superior." Something like that >> would be cleaner. >> It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of >> discovering error in the same way that drug companies are in the business >> of >> discovering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving (to >> the companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side >> effects. >> The best way to avoid error is to shut up or die. >> We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something comparable >> to holistic medicine. >> Holistic grammar? It might get attention. >> Craig >> >> ________________________________________ >> From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [ Visit ATEG's web >> site >> at >> http://ateg.org/<http://us.mc1121.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ATEG@To%20join%20or%20leave%20this%20LISTSERV%20list%2C%20please%20visit%20the%20list%27s%20web%20interface%20at:%20%20%20%20%20http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.htmland%20select> >> >> To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web >> interface >> at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or >> leave the list" >> >> Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ >> > > > > -- > -- > John > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > --90e6ba6e8cdcb1991e04ae16161d > Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > Actually, I have no idea why I spelled it that way. I must have glanced up > = > at Craig's post when spelling it. Keweenaw peninsula is indeed the one > = > the text is referencing as reflected on the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce > we= > bsite. Sorry for the confusion. I do know of a Keenesaw, Georgia > coincident= > ally.<br> > > <br>John<br><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote">On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 10:15 > AM= > , Carol Morrison <span dir=3D"ltr"><<a > href=3D"mailto:carollynne41@yahoo= > .com">[log in to unmask]</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote > class=3D"= > gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc > solid;padding-= > left:1ex;"> > > <table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td > styl= > e=3D"font:inherit" valign=3D"top">Thanks for checking, John. Oh, and the > te= > xtbook also spells "Keeneshaw" incorrectly according to the way > y= > ou and Craig have spelled it.<br> > > <br>--- On <b>Thu, 9/29/11, John Dews-Alexander <i><<a > href=3D"mailto:je= > [log in to unmask]" > target=3D"_blank">[log in to unmask]</a>></i= >></b> wrote:<br> > <blockquote style=3D"border-left:rgb(16,16,255) 2px > solid;padding-left:5px;= > margin-left:5px"><br>From: John Dews-Alexander <<a > href=3D"mailto:jed.al= > [log in to unmask]" > target=3D"_blank">[log in to unmask]</a>><br>Sub= > ject: Re: Word usage problem?<br> > > To: <a href=3D"mailto:[log in to unmask]" > target=3D"_blank">ATEG@LIST= > SERV.MUOHIO.EDU</a><br>Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 11:03 > AM<br><br> > <div>Perhaps the author objects to the passive voice (although I'm not > = > sure what the justification would be if the sentence is in isolation)? By > t= > he way, a Google search of the sentence shows several sites, including the > = > Keeneshaw Chamber of Commerce, using that wording. The natives don't > se= > em to object!<br> > > <br>John<br><br> > <div>On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM, Hancock, Craig G <span > dir=3D"ltr">&l= > t;<a > href=3D"http://us.mc1121.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=3Dchancock@alban= > y.edu" rel=3D"nofollow" > target=3D"_blank">[log in to unmask]</a>></span= >> wrote:<br> > > > <blockquote style=3D"border-left:#ccc 1px solid;margin:0px 0px 0px > 0.8ex;pa= > dding-left:1ex">=A0 =A0 It's also possible that "Peninsula" > c= > onnotes "surrounded on three sides," so this would be mildly > redu= > ndant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula juts into Lake Superior" or > "= > ;is bounded by Lake superior." Something like that would be > cleaner.<b= > r> > > =A0 =A0It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of > d= > iscovering error in the same way that drug companies are in the business > of= > discovering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving (to > = > the companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side > effe= > cts.<br> > > =A0 The best way to avoid error is to shut up or die.<br>=A0 We should > decl= > are a moratorium on error and invent something comparable to holistic > medic= > ine.<br>=A0 Holistic grammar? It might get > attention.<br>Craig<br><br>_____= > ___________________________________<br> > > From: > Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [<a > href=3D"http://us.mc1121.= > mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=3DATEG@To%20join%20or%20leave%20this%20LISTSER= > V%20list%2C%20please%20visit%20the%20list%27s%20web%20interface%20at:%20%20= > %20%20%20http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.htmland%20select" > rel=3D"= > nofollow" target=3D"_blank"> Visit ATEG's web site at > http://ateg.org/<= > /a></blockquote> > > </div></div></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table> > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web > interf= > ace at: > <a href=3D"http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html" > target=3D"_b= > lank">http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html</a> > and select "Join or leave the list" > <p> > Visit ATEG's web site at <a href=3D"http://ateg.org/" > target=3D"_blank"= >>http://ateg.org/</a></p></blockquote></div><br><br clear=3D"all"><br>-- >><b= > r>--<br>John<br><br> > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > <p> > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > --90e6ba6e8cdcb1991e04ae16161d-- > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:33:33 -0400 > From: "Hancock, Craig G" <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > I seem to remain living proof that error is an inevitable aspect of > lif= > e. I must have thought of Keeneshaw Georgia and unwittingly led John down > t= > he primrose path. > It seems to me that most real life language choices all reside in the > r= > ealm of "correctness," but construe what is under focus in different ways. > = > I can imagine a context in which the more redundant form would be > preferabl= > e; trying to reinforce the definition of "peninsula" for a school aged > audi= > ence, for example. The author might conclude that "surrounded on three > side= > s" would be a helpful reminder. In a "holistic grammar," we would be > sensit= > ive to context. All sentences would be thought of as part of a whole, even > = > if they were only one sentence wholes. > > Craig > =20 > ________________________________________ > From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar > [[log in to unmask] > U] On Behalf Of John Dews-Alexander [[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 11:22 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > > Actually, I have no idea why I spelled it that way. I must have glanced up > = > at Craig's post when spelling it. Keweenaw peninsula is indeed the one the > = > text is referencing as reflected on the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce > websit= > e. Sorry for the confusion. I do know of a Keenesaw, Georgia > coincidentally= > . > > John > > On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 10:15 AM, Carol Morrison > <[log in to unmask]<ma= > ilto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: > Thanks for checking, John. Oh, and the textbook also spells "Keeneshaw" > inc= > orrectly according to the way you and Craig have spelled it. > > --- On Thu, 9/29/11, John Dews-Alexander > <[log in to unmask]<mailto:je= > [log in to unmask]>> wrote: > > From: John Dews-Alexander > <[log in to unmask]<mailto:jed.alexander@GMA= > IL.COM>> > Subject: Re: Word usage problem? > To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> > Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 11:03 AM > > Perhaps the author objects to the passive voice (although I'm not sure > what= > the justification would be if the sentence is in isolation)? By the way, > a= > Google search of the sentence shows several sites, including the > Keeneshaw= > Chamber of Commerce, using that wording. The natives don't seem to object! > > John > > On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM, Hancock, Craig G > <[log in to unmask]<http= > :[log in to unmask]>> wrote: > It's also possible that "Peninsula" connotes "surrounded on three > sides= > ," so this would be mildly redundant. "The Keeneshaw Peninsula juts into > La= > ke Superior" or "is bounded by Lake superior." Something like that would > be= > cleaner. > It seems to me more and more that handbooks are in the business of > disco= > vering error in the same way that drug companies are in the business of > dis= > covering new diseases. At a certain point, it becomes self serving (to the > = > companies) and dangerous to the public, complete with serious side > effects. > The best way to avoid error is to shut up or die. > We should declare a moratorium on error and invent something comparable > t= > o holistic medicine. > Holistic grammar? It might get attention. > Craig > > ________________________________________ > From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [ Visit ATEG's web site > = > at > http://ateg.org/<http://us.mc1121.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=3DATEG@To= > %20join%20or%20leave%20this%20LISTSERV%20list%2C%20please%20visit%20the%20l= > ist%27s%20web%20interface%20at:%20%20%20%20%20http://listserv.muohio.edu/ar= > chives/ateg.htmland%20select> > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > = > at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > leave= > the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > > > -- > -- > John > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > = > at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > leave= > the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:36:06 -0400 > From: Dick Veit <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: the Oxford comma > > --0016e6d647bc2116fc04ae18c85e > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > You might enjoy this > cartoon<http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/oxford-comma-cartoon/>about > the "Oxford comma," the controversial comma that precedes the > conjunction in a series of three or more items: "eat, drink, and be merry" > (as opposed to "eat, drink and be merry"). It is also called the "Harvard > comma" and the "serial comma." The cartoon could provoke discussion in a > college writing class--perhaps a bit racy for high school. > > Similar is the famously ambiguous (and probably apocryphal) book > dedication: > "To my parents, Ayn Rand and God." > > Dick > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > --0016e6d647bc2116fc04ae18c85e > Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > > <a href=3D"http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/oxford-comma-cartoon/">You > migh= > t enjoy this cartoon</a> about the "Oxford comma," the > controvers= > ial comma that precedes the conjunction in a series of three or more > items:= > "eat, drink, and be merry" (as opposed to "eat, drink and > b= > e merry"). It is also called the "Harvard comma" and the > &qu= > ot;serial comma." The cartoon could provoke discussion in a college > wr= > iting class--perhaps a bit racy for high school.<br> > <br>Similar is the famously ambiguous (and probably apocryphal) book > dedica= > tion: "To my parents, Ayn Rand and God."<br><br>Dick<br> > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > <p> > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > --0016e6d647bc2116fc04ae18c85e-- > > ------------------------------ > > End of ATEG Digest - 27 Sep 2011 to 29 Sep 2011 (#2011-186) > *********************************************************** > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/