40
Mrs. Bluezette's Grammar Guide
bring/take, amount/number, set a record
Liz Aussicker requests that Mrs. B address her number one pet
peeve.
"Please explain the difference between `bring' and `take' so I
can stop yelling at the TV."
Whether to use "bring" or "take" depends on your point of view.
Use "bring" when something is being moved toward you.
Use "take" when it's being moved away.
v
We'll collect toys for Toys for Tots and BRING them here to the
station.
v
Then we'll TAKE them to the YMCA for distribution.
Part two of today's lesson is on when to use "amount" and
"number."
"Amount" refers to quantity, something that CAN'T be counted.
v
The AMOUNT of satisfaction we get from collecting toys for
deprived kids is great.
Use "number" for something that CAN be counted.
v
The NUMBER of toys we collected last year broke the record.
And while we're on the subject of records, try to avoid the
redundancy of setting a "new" record.
You SET a record or BREAK the record or TIE the record.
Mrs. B ends this lesson on a humble note, with a quotation.
"You would be astounded at the relief that comes once you stop
assuming you have all the answers."
---Sarah Ban Breathnach
