Relaunching February 1, 2009!

The Javin Group is excited to announce that The Office Grammarian is getting its own home. TOG will have its own site and will relaunch with weekly grammar and style tips on February 1, 2009. Stay tuned for a whole new TOG. Have grammar and style questions before 2/1? Let us know. Email us at info@thejavingroup.com.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda!

Well, we all know that "coulda" is not actually a word, despite what our text-loving kids, nieces, nephews, and Web friends think, but be careful with the construction "could of," too. It's not actually correct.

The correct use of "could have" is just that...could have. The same is true for "would have," "should have," and the like. "Would of" and "should of" are just as wrong as "woulda" or "shoulda." Some correct uses:

• I really should have taken the bus today. I would have had a much better morning.
• You could have called me to tell me that you were going to be late to the meeting.
• Ted manages the finances; he should have known that the numbers just didn't add up.
• If Janet really needed a new assistant, she could have hired one.
• I wouldn't have taken the file from your desk if you had not left it there for all to see!

Bailout? Bail-out? Bail out? What will happen? How do I spell it?

Well, you may or may not care much about the grammar of it all this week, but if the "Panic of 2008" is taking over your desk, here are some quick tips to make sure you're writing about the government bank bailout plan correctly.

The word "bailout" (all one word, no space) is the noun and the adjective (e.g., the bank bailout, the bailout plan, etc.). You can use "bail-out" (with a hyphen) and "bailout" interchangeably; there is no difference. When you want to use the verb -- to "bail out" -- it's actually two words. "Baleout" is never correct. Some correct uses:

• Will government bailout plans save the financial sector?
• How can the government bail out such fundamental institutions?
• Obama and McCain are sure to talk about the bail-out tonight at the debate.
• The AIG bailout upset a lot of people, including Republican lawmakers.
• Did representatives from the banking industry request that the government step in and bail them out?
• A deal is said to be near on a massive bailout package.

It's right, however, it's wrong!

Quick, easy, down, and dirty this week! Don't use the word "however" to join two sentences. It's just not correct.

The word "however" is an adverb, and abverbs don't function to link sentences. So, when in doubt, start a new sentence with "however." Cap it and put a comma after it. Or you can use a semicolon and then a comma. Note these incorrect and correct uses:

Wrong:

• The best restaurant we have ever been to is in Philadelphia, however, it's quite a trip.
• He said yes, however, she said no.
• Our marketing team is strong, however, they lack good leadership.
• I do like bold print, however, you still can't read it well.
• Richards told the team that he would be late, however, he didn't mention it to me.

Right:

• The best restaurant we have ever been to is in Philadelphia. However, it's quite a trip.
• He said yes; however, she said no.
• Our marketing team is strong. However, they lack good leadership.
• I do like bold print. However, you still can't read it well.
• Richards told the team that he would be late. However, he didn't mention it to me.

Are you averse to it or adverse to it?

Hmmm... Did you know that they're actually two different words? That one letter "d" makes all the difference. Here's what each means:

The word "adverse" is an adjective that only refers to things, not people. It means unfavorable or unfortunate (e.g., an adverse situation or an adverse wind). The word "averse" is also an adjective, but it refers to people. It means having feelings of opposition or being opposed to (e.g., averse to war or averse to higher taxes). Some correct uses:

• Adverse winds made it impossible to sail to the island.
• The candidate came from very adverse circumstances.
• The board has decided to kill the new product launch due to adverse trends in the market.
• I'm not averse to having sushi now and again. I just don't want it every single day.
• He supports the war effort, but is strongly averse to instituting a draft.
• My boss is very averse to any member of the team taking time off before the presentation.

Firstly, do we really need the -ly?

This is a subtle one, but a good one to know. Do I use first or firstly? Second or secondly? Third or thirdly? The answer is that you can use either.

It is considered correct to use either first or firstly (or second/secondly, third/thirdly) to begin a list or enumeration. The key is consistency. If you begin with firstly, then be sure to use secondly, thirdly, etc. Also, since these words are used as introductory elements, they should be followed by a comma. Some correct uses:

• First, I would like to thank Mr. Rhodes for the generous gift to the library.
• Second, we would ask that all guests join us at the bar for a toast.
• Third, the party will end at midnight.
• Firstly, please take a look at your new desk and make sure that it meets your needs.
• Secondly, please call the office manager if you need additional supplies.
• Thirdly, join us for a meeting in the conference room in one hour.

Don't miss this 1!

Hmmm... When do you spell out a number and when do you use the numerical figure? Well, the rules are slightly inconsistent, but here is ours. It's the most modern one.

All numbers under 10 (i.e., one through nine) should be spelled out. The number 10 and above can be written as a numerical figure (i.e., 11, 12, 13). Pretty straight-forward, no? Some correct uses:

• Do you have four quarters for a dollar?
• They showed up with less than the three required people.
• I sent him 400 new jackets for the entire staff!
• Johnson and Beverly went to 18 cities in nine days. Amazing!
• She called this morning to say that her five kids were sick.
• Keyboarder, Inc. currently employs over 6,000 people.

To whom do we owe this pleasure? To who? Whom? Who?

Yikes! How many times have you confused "who" and "whom"? The better question: how do you use them correctly? When do you even use "whom"?

Let's forget the grammar technicalities for this one. Think of it this way: rephrase the sentence and take out who/whom. If you rephrase and use he/she/they, then "who" is the right one, but if you rephrase and use him/her/them, then "whom" is the right one. Huh? Some correct uses:

• Who brought the new printer into the office? (He brought the new printer...)
• I wonder who the phantom blogger is. (She is the phantom blogger.)
• Who is the most famous pop star of all time? (He is the most famous pop star...)
• Mr. Jameson asked whom he would promote this year. (Mr. Jameson would promote her this year.)
• To whom should I deliver the paperwork? (The paperwork should be delivered to him.)
• I will give the prize to whomever can answer this trivia question. (I will give the prize to her.)

Don't be the person that makes this mistake!

You might ask, "What's the mistake (in this week's title)?" Well, it's a less obvious error, but if you want your prose to sing, take note. Never use "that" when referring to a person, (e.g., "The first woman that ran for Congress.") Use "who" instead.

Here's the rule: When referring to an object, use "that" between the noun and the verb (e.g., the book that fell from the table, the package that arrived today, the milk that went sour). When referring to a person, use "who" (or, when necessary, "whom"). A tip on "who" vs. "whom" is coming next week. Some correct uses:

• Surely you know about the inspector who is coming to visit the office next week.
• Janet was the first woman who got promoted to V.P. (Or, Janet was the first woman to get promoted to V.P.)
• The FedEx guy insisted that he was the only guy who could get the package there on time.
• Did you ever wonder who that man is who roams the halls during the day?
• Mr. Daniels is the only board member who didn't bring a full report.

Don't let it get personal!

Another simple but important distinction this week: "personal" and "personnel" are two very different words. They are often used incorrectly or even misspelled. It happens to the best of us, so take note:

The word "personal" (adjective) means "pertaining to one person." It has one n and one l. The word "personnel" (noun) means "the people employed at a company, firm, etc." It has two n's and one l. Here are some correct uses:

• This is your own personal key to the office. Please don't lose it.
• Please don't leave personal belongings in your gym locker without a lock.
• Mark the letter "Personal" and put it on his desk.
• It is my personal opinion that the Board's plans are not aggressive enough.
• The personnel office is located on the third floor.
• We don't have a personnel department. Judy handles that kind of paperwork.
• Our personnel are very highly trained and can assist you with that.