Readers' Questions

Over the last few months, I have received a lot of e-mail questions about grammar and writing.  I’m including some of the questions in this month’s column.

From Nicki, a fifth grade teacher:  I have a question regarding using apostrophes in cursive handwriting.  For example, when writing the word can't, do the students need to leave a space between the n and the t, or do they connect them?

Nicki:  I don’t know if I’m the ultimate authority on this, but given that the t stands in for the word not, a separate word, I think the kids should leave a space to reflect that.  (I’m also willing to hear from teachers out there with an opinion or better information.)  Of course, I’m thrilled that they’re learning that the apostrophe needs to be there at all.
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>From David:  In the following sentence, "The current $24,000 Section 179 expense deduction for property increases for qualifying property used in the Zone," is qualifying correct instead of qualified and why/why not?

Well, David, grammatically speaking, you could use either word.  Property could be considered as qualifying now or in the future, or as already qualified.  It’s also possible that the context would suggest which word is correct.  (By the way, I know nothing about any legal implication concerning the choice of those words; perhaps we could hear from someone more knowledgeable in this area?)
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From FJ:  In the following example, does the comma go inside or outside the parentheses?

"When we last talked (unless I'm mistaken,) we agreed that we'll meet on March 10."

FJ:  The comma goes outside. 
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GG:  I know something’s wrong with this sentence, which recently came in an e-mail, but I don’t know what!  Can you help?

"My name is Carylon Smith and I would like to invite you to join ABC2000.com the nation's leading online community of small and large businesses."

Well, other than the unusual spelling of the first name (which may be correct) and the need for a couple of commas, it’s the wording:  it promises something without quite delivering it.  Saying “I would like to invite you” is not the same as “I invite you” or “I am inviting you.”  I almost expect the next word to be “but.”  It leaves me thinking, “And so, are you going to?”  While this is a conventional expression, it can leave a reader or listener wondering what exactly was meant.  It’s the way most flight attendants welcome us to a city as we’re rolling to a stop at the gate:  “Ladies and Gentlemen, we’d like to welcome you to Boston.”  The best of them say simply, “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Boston.” 
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From Kim:  Why are so many people saying, “I need to hone in on that”?  Isn’t the word hone wrong in that context? 

Yes, Kim, it is.  Many people confuse hone and home.  The correct usage is, “I need to home in on that.”  Hone means to sharpen, as in skills:  “I need to hone my speaking skills.”  Home in means to point directly at something (think homing pigeons).
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From Charlotte:  Susan:  Here’s the copy from an ad in the newspaper.  It’s wrong, isn’t it?  “Up to 50% off, and more!”

Again, common sense collides with advertising.  It really should be one or the other -- either up to a certain amount or more than that.  I don’t think it can be both at the same time.
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