Comments on: Handling the Disappointment

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:03:48 +0000

I often “read” for people who are submitting written material for grants, awards, grades, etc. I have noted that many people have problems with the correct usage of who and which. It isn’t uncommon for even experienced and published writers to miss errors when they are editing their own work. Unless things have changed, I believe that Trent doesn’t have a copy editor. I would think if grammar mistakes really bothered those of you who continue to point them out, it might be kinder to e-mail Trent privately about your concerns.
**Please note: this message may contain errors in spelling and/or grammar for those readers who are appalled by either.

By: Michele

Michele — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 02:26:53 +0000

#21AnnJo- thanks- ‘grammer’ made me almost as crazy as ‘who’ and ‘which’. Argh. Trent- good story, but I have to agree with some of the posters; don’t call yourself a writer and then use very poor grammar. It’s distracting.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:32:47 +0000

Maybe “her children” aren’t actually human.

By: Lord

Lord — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:57:35 +0000

This is why I read your blog. Too many times – I do splurge on something big when I am disappointed. However – those are purchases that I tend to regret afterwards ( e.g. clothes that are too trendy that I can only wear them on very rare occasions ). Thanks for sharing this experience.

By: Mister E

Mister E — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:35:42 +0000

#24: I think that if someone presents themselves as a professional writer then their grammar is fair game for critiquing.

Picking on personal faults is mean. Picking on professional faults is perfectly legitimate.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:12:36 +0000

#19: or perhaps the people who “pick” have nothing better to do than to find fault.

By: Adam P

Adam P — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:26:26 +0000

I’m no grammar fanatic, but “and her children (which my children adore)” is a spork in the eye to read. I can forgive who/whom.

That said, glad you made lemonade out of lemons, Trent.

By: Vickie

Vickie — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:02:53 +0000

I really enjoyed this post. Nice reminder that we don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun family time. ☺

By: AnnJo

AnnJo — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:53:54 +0000

@Josh, for us “grammer (sic) nits” Trent’s second sentence is like the poke of a needle. The pain is fleeting and manageable, but also distracting and annoying. Lightening up would do us good, but isn’t as easy as you think.

By: AnnJo

AnnJo — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:40:28 +0000

@deRuiter and @kristine,
I’m pretty sure David’s remarks were tongue-in-cheek – and also hilarious. David, I’ve only read a couple of comments from you, but want to know – do you have your own blog? If not, I hope you start one. Content is irrelevant; I’d read your writing no matter what its topic.

By: Mister E

Mister E — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:34:30 +0000

Welcome to the comments Josh. Trent sets himself up as a bit of an easy mark to pick on and so that’s exactly what he gets more often than not.

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:27:44 +0000

Wow you grammer nits need to lighten up.

By: Carole

Carole — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:05:54 +0000

Well, we’re not all professors and we understood his meaning. If he were having this published, he would probably have some English whiz go over it with a fine tooth comb.

By: valleycat1

valleycat1 — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:01:44 +0000

#13 kristine – I have siblings with PhD’s who have been college professors for more than 20 years, and they don’t particularly care about being called Professor OR Doctor. That said, I usually err on the side of ‘a level of respect’, as you put it, until the person says otherwise (‘just call me John’, or Mr. Doe is fine’).

By: Melody Bakeeff

Melody Bakeeff — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:02:54 +0000

Trent, despite your flaws in grammar usage, I don’t think anyone can argue with the logic in this post! Good job in reminding us that we shouldn’t look at things like this as entitlements and fun is fun. You were looking forward to seeing family and taking advantage of some local attractions you wouldn’t normally have access to. No more, no less. The money spent should always be the secondary (but necessary for planning) thought.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:06:49 +0000

“We took him to the doctor and he had strep throat. Trip cancelled.”

Did you try giving him a glass of water?

By: kristine

kristine — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:49:04 +0000

Most people who express respect properly in most situations would also call a professor, Professor, without being prompted.

In a world where people become famous for hideous behavior, and just for being famous (neat trick), it is a nice thing to see those who have earned a level of respect for a decade or so of hard work be addressed with the proper title of respect.

By: marta

marta — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:51:31 +0000

” especially for a person who was an English major for a while”

He wasn’t. I believe he majored both in Biology and Computer Sciences.

By: deRuiter

deRuiter — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:22:15 +0000

(who I adore) and her children (which my children adore). Should be “whom” in both cases. If one’s passion is writing perhaps good grammar could be part of the mix, especially for a person who was an English major for a while. “These days, insisting on “whom” is like insisting on being called “Professor” just because you happen to be one – it is the distinguishing mark of a complete prat, and gives pedantry a bad name that it does not deserve.” Now this is funny, insisting that some grammar ought to be correct and that other correct grammar is “…
the distinguishing mark of a complete prat…” I take it from this that some bad grammar is OK in a writer honing his craft, but some is still too bad to accept! Grammar’s correct or incorrect. But I do enjoy reading the work of someone who combines both “complete prat” (I adore this phrase!) and “pedantry”. David #9, comment more in the future, you’ve got style, even if I don’t agree with you 100%.

By: Emma

Emma — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:06:48 +0000

Sorry about sick child. To cut the odds of cross contamination and as an ongoing fight (cheap fight) against germs I rinse and wash my kids cups and tooth brushed in undiluted Hydrogen Peroxide. I do it once a week year round. When someone had an infection in the house organic cleanser are often not enough, especially if child goes to school. Once a week wash kids toilet bowel , seat , sinks, door knobs with diluted clorox or Lysol. Streps like to come back.