NewsBlues mrsbgrammar Page 145
Chapter 2 Word Choice
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remembrance, victim after victim has
Let's spend a little time on a word and on a phrase we're using
lately.
This note from our anchor friend in Nashville gets us started:
"I've seen several people write about `a day of rememberance.'
They should be reminded it's `remembrance.' "
Dan Miller
WSMV
It would seem logical that the noun form of "remember" would be
"rememberance," but our language is not always logical.
Lose the third "e."
The word is "remembrance."
v
Thursday has been set aside as a day of REMEMBRANCE for
the victims of the terrorist attacks.
You know to say "victim has" and "victims have," but what about
"victim after victim"?
Do you use a singular or a plural verb?
v
Victim after victim HAS been identified.
The subject is "victim," so it takes the singular verb "has."
"After victim" is a prepositional phrase that does not affect the
choice of verb.
Mrs. B hopes you'll pass along what you learn, with finesse.
