Search results for 'tag:Semicolons tag:Dates' matching tags 'Semicolons' and 'Dates'

Re: tense checking

Grammar Geek — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:10:20 GMT

I should have edited the post - they are clearly related, but the first three seemed unrelated to each other.

I broke them into each line so I could comment one by one.

I think the probable date I noted for his visit is one month from the day of writing

You wrote, "If I sleep one more day, I will be meeting my nephew who will be visiting us from the Phillipines." That sounds like he is coming tomorrow to me. How could I guess that it's actually another month away? You wrote that he's coming home "for a month vacation." It sounds like he's coming tomorrow, and staying for one month.

and I think I also have noted that the probable period of completion will last two months.What made you think the writing gives out an idea that I will try to finish the project in one day?

You said that he comes tomorrow, and you are starting today - so naturally that sounds like you'll do one month's worth of work in one day.

You changed the tense of the last sentence to present perfect; (semicolon OK?) but I don't think a past is wrong but a present tense is better because the choice made is current and currently related.

Yes, you made the decision quite recently. The present tense is appropriate. If you used the past, the entire thing should be written in a past tense, not the present.

Where did you want to use the semi-colon?

Re: tense checking

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:39:27 GMT

Thank you so much.

How would you divide this type of writing (diary or reflection piece?) into paragraphs, especially when the content of a possible paragraph is two or thre sentences long?

You asked:

I am starting to work on my two-month project on ~~today~~ this afternoon;, and when my nephew gets here, I will probably have finished half the project.Tenses are okay. You can finish half of a two-month project in one day?

I think the probable date I noted for his visit is one month from the day of writing and I think I also have noted that the probable period of completion will last two months. What made you think the writing gives out an idea that I will try to finish the project in one day?

You changed the tense of the last sentence to present perfect; (semicolon OK?) but I don't think a past is wrong but a present tense is better because the choice made is current and currently related.

Last sentence that you made a change:

Yes, I have made the choice and that is to finish the project on time.

Memos show Clinton turmoil

Jackson6612 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:05:10 GMT

Memos show Clinton turmoil

Question: I would have written ''Clinton's turmoil''. Why didn't the author use apostrophe?

BY CRAIG GORDON AND TOM BRUNE | <email addresses removed by mod.>
August 13, 2008

Question: Why is semicolon used instead of comma to separate the email addresses above?

WASHINGTON - In a fresh postmortem (=an examination of a plan or event that failed, done to discover why it failed, =autopsy) on Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid (=attempt to obtain or do something), newly published staff memos (=a short official note to another person in the same company or organization) and e-mails reveal a campaign hobbled (=to hobble something or someone means to make it more difficult for them to be successful or to achieve what they want) by internal rivalries (=a situation in which two or more people, teams, or companies are competing for something), faulty planning, bloated (=more than needed, =excessive) spending - and perhaps most important, Clinton's own failure to make the hard decisions.

Clinton offered herself to voters as a hyper-competent (=extra competent) executive ready to be president from day one. But atop (=on top of something) her own campaign, she was a hesitant leader, who allowed bitter infighting (=when members of the same group or organization argue, or compete with each other in an unfriendly way) to fester (=If an argument or bad feeling festers, it continues so that feelings of hate or dissatisfaction increase) among staffers over whether to go negative against Barack Obama, according to the Atlantic magazine.

The most bare-knuckled (=characterized by disorderly action and disregard for rules) lines of attack came from Clinton's chief strategist, Mark Penn, who urged Clinton to highlight Obama's "lack of American roots" due to his upbringing in Indonesia and Hawaii - saying he could only win if he faced Attila the Hun ((?406-453 AD) a king of the Huns (=an ancient people from Asia) who attacked and took control of large parts of the Roman Empire. He is famous for being violent and cruel).

But Clinton didn't embrace Penn's flag-waving (=the expression of strong national feelings, especially when these feelings seem too extreme) approach (=way of doing something), which campaign aides (=someone whose job is to help someone who has an important job, especially a politician) insist was never seriously considered.

Question: Clinton didn't embrace Penn's approach because she did not consider it seriously. Therefore, what campaign aides were saying is redundant.

The article also says that Clinton at times grew frustrated and short-tempered - including on the morning after her stunning third-place finish in Iowa in January, when aides on a call were silent. Clinton's camp dismissed the story as "inside-the-Beltway gossip" and "old news." And former campaign aides sharply disputed the notion of Clinton as an indecisive leader, with one campaign veteran saying, "Nobody seems to want to remember the fact that we had so many successes and come-from-behind victories in this campaign ... and they are due in large part to Senator Clinton's leadership."

Question: What does the line including on the morning...when aides on a call were silent mean? If she finished third place, then why would the author describe it as stunning? What does call mean in when aides on a call were silent?

Question: What does the phrase inside-the-Beltway gossip mean?

Question: What does the line Nobody seems to want to remember...to Senator Clinton's leadership'' mean?

But the e-mails and memos offer vivid (=very clear and detailed) new details about what had long been reported - that Clinton's headquarters was beset (=to make someone experience serious problems or dangers) by caustic (=bitter) internal battles involving Penn and former President Bill Clinton, who wanted to forcefully attack Obama, and others who wanted the New York senator to take a more positive tack (=method, =way of doing something). At one point, it was Bill Clinton - and not Hillary - who approved the famed 3 a.m. phone call ad.

Question: what had long been reported is passive past perfect tense. Am I right?

Question: I think headquarters should take plural verb. What do you say?

Question: Why are the hyphens used in -and not Hillary-? I believe commas would do instead?

Adding to the turmoil was the fact that the campaign had little strategy and no money left to seriously compete in the post-Super Tuesday contests - having (=the form having with a past participle can be used to introduce a clause in which you mention an action which had already happened before another action began) burned through $106 million before Iowa. That allowed Obama to win 12 straight contests and effectively wrap up (=to finish a job, meeting etc) the nomination.

Question: What does burned through mean?

In the end, the campaign's strategy came to reflect some of the internal turmoil, as Clinton veered (=changed course) from attacking Obama to emphasizing her personal side.

Question: What does her personal side mean?

Penn did offer some advice in March 2007 that proved on the mark - Clinton's path to victory lay with women and lower- and working-class voters.

Question: What does proved on the mark mean? I couldn't find it in the dictionary.

But by the time Clinton finally settled on that strategy to win the later primaries, it was too late.

Excerpts from the memos

"All of these articles about his boyhood in Indonesia and his life in Hawaii are geared towards showing his background is diverse, multicultural and putting that in a new light ... It also exposes a very strong weakness for him - his roots to basic American values and culture are at best (=even when considered in the most positive way) limited. I cannot imagine America electing a president during a time of war who is not at his center fundamentally American in his thinking and in his values." Strategist Mark Penn, from a March 19, 2007, memo to Hillary Rodham Clinton advising her to attack Barack Obama for his "lack of American roots."

Question: What does centre mean in the above context?

"The right knows Obama is unelectable except perhaps against Attila the Hun, and a third party would come in then anyway." Penn, from the same memo.

Question: Does right refer to right wing in the above context?

"This has been a very instructive call, talking to myself." Clinton, before angrily hanging up on a staff conference call the day after coming in third in Iowa in January. "She complained of being outmaneuvered (=to gain an advantage over someone by using cleverer or more skilful plans or methods) in Iowa and being painted as the establishment candidate," according to the Atlantic - but was met with near-silence.

Question: I would have written This has been..., talking to me. Why did she use myself?

Question: What is a conference call? Is it some kind of telephone call which address many poeple?

Question: Why is in used in coming in third?

"STOP IT!! I have help my tongue for weeks. After this morning's WP story, no longer. This makes me sick. This circular firing squad that is occurring is unattractive, unprofessional, unconscionable, and unacceptable ... It must stop." Robert Barnett, a Clinton lawyer and Washington insider, from a March 6, 2008, e-mail to campaign staff after a Washington Post story detailed the infighting.

Question: What does I have help my tongue for weeks mean?

Question: What does This circular firing squad mean?

Question: Were the comments in the last paragraph made by Robert Barnett?

punctuation

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:18:16 GMT

Hi,
Could I be able to use what I call "elaborate" punctuation in emails, like using semicolons and dashes?? Can you correct this?

eg,
I was expecting your email, Jane; I am glad to receive it. I have one question though: did you decide on your wedding date? Are you marrying the dashing fellow you were with at our high shool reunion few weeks ago? If that's him -- you are a lucky girl. He looked so nice and on top of that, he looked so gentlemanly (when and how can we use this "-ly" words??). Please let me know the details. Bye.

Re: please correct this

Hoa Thai — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:55:47 GMT

I have a good piece of news to report: - a piece of good news?

Our Center just had a new computer room and bathroom installed. - Center - why capitalization?

came from the general contributions of our Mothers of Our Neighborhood Associations - general or generous?

and the local Business Men's Associations. â BMA - Why capitalization?

As you know, it took roughly three months to complete them and we, the staff at the Center, are happy to see them completed, â Could you reword your sentence without having to use âcompletedâ after âcompleteâ? I would also suggest that you replace the comma at the end with a full stop.

~~knowing how~~ They will help our children facilitate learning processes as they partake on our numerous academically oriented activities taught by certified teachers in their after-school hours. â The children do not facilitate the learning process, the staff do. You need to reword this sentence (shorten it or break it into two parts).

Well-built and built facilities â what do you mean?

can help maintain children's interest in their studiesâ need a full stop.

that has been one of my ~~fundamental~~ convictions â âhas beenâ? Show that your convictions are time independent.

that I held deeply for long as I was involved in this Center in various capacities. â Check verb tense! Did you forget another âasâ?

I also believe that our community has to take responsibility in providing good places to go to get supplementary education on our children's core courses once they are out-of-school;

1. has to take responsibility in â is responsible for?
2. The second part is too wordy. hint: for our children's after-school activities.
3. Replace semicolon with a full stop.

and we are proud to be one of those places. - we are the place?

A The new computer room with up-to-date, highly technical computers â what do you mean by âhighly technical computersâ? hard to manage and to learn?

will ensure that our children take full advantage of the latest technology to get ahead and also, - âtechnologyâ includes new / modern machines, and equipment. Therefore, it is redundant to mention âcomputersâ â I suggest that you reword the whole sentence. For example: The new computer room with the latest technology will ensure â¦.â

our new clean bathroom will help ensure they are clean and comfortable. Reword to rid of repetition.

Re: Is this a right use of a semicolon?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:06:16 GMT

I doubt that it is more nearly acceptable that we reproduce the exact same thread with a new date on it.

The word that I mispelled was "clause." If you reread the post, I misspelled several words. I was copying from the Gregg reference manual (an English grammar / usage reference manual) as fast as I could.

Re: Is this a right use of a semicolon?

Avangi — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:35:27 GMT

To avoid embarrassment, is there some convenient way to tell when an issue has been resolved, in case one fails to notice the date?

P.S. Anon: You misspelled "louse" in your last paragraph.

Challenges Involved in the Dentistry Field - Page 9 - 11 - proof read

Rakesh219 — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:54:25 GMT

Hi i would really appreciate it if you could proof read the Recommendation page of my report "Challenges Involved in the Dentistry Field". I would really appreciate it if you could proof read my report and let me know if there are any mistakes or confusing sentences. Please let me know if i should add a comma or semicolon as i always make mistakes there. Thanks a lot.

-----------------------------------------
Major Challenges or Issues Involved

Based on the statistics from the previous section, âAllegations Involved in Paid Claimsâ, the two major challenges or issues that could be noted were poor recordkeeping and poor communication. The most important aspect of recordkeeping is that of maintaining an up-to-date patient records, copies, or summaries and to safeguard the patientâs right to privacy. Communication on the other hand involves educating the patient on the treatments that will be performed and knowing when to refer the patient to or consult another medical professional.

Recordkeeping Issues

With reference to table 2.1 a total of over 30% of allegations involved in paid claims involved failure to diagnose, failure to obtain informed consent, treatment of wrong tooth, failure to appropriately treat medically compromised patients, no x-ray or incomplete x-ray, and alteration of treatment records that could be linked with poor recordkeeping. The result of poor recordkeeping would ultimately lead to complications in the treatment of the patient and in sever cases the possibility of death or major injuries. According to Dr. Jack Daniels* poor recordkeeping could be due to lack of funds to adapt to modern technologies, not having back-up copies of patients record, misplacing or misrepresenting copies, and mostly because the records are not kept-up-to-date.

Communication Issues

According to the ADAâs Principle of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, communication deals with educating the patient about the procedures of the treatment and the risk involved, âknowing oneâs own limitation and when to refer to a specialist or other professional, and knowing when and under what circumstances delegation of patient care to auxiliaries is appropriateâ. Over 9% of the allegations involved in paid claims are due to poor communications with patientâs specialist, failure to refer, and incorrect prescriptions. Communication is disrupted when there are frequent interruptions when talking, thinking the patient/ dentist understands what has been said, acting like they are in a hurry, talking down to each other, and mostly because the dentist/patient is not listening. Therefore it is vital that the dentist keep their knowledge and skills current.

Recommendations

Patient recordkeeping and communication are essential components to increasing the standard of care. Failing to meet these standards often results to lawsuits and if sued for negligence it will in turn increase the insurance deductible. Misrepresenting or omitting of information such as medical conditions, recording inaccurate measurements, or failing to record specific treatments can cause serious complications in the treatment of the patient. It is a good practice as well as inexpensive to maintain an accurate dental records and communicate with the patient.

Communication is the key to âpatient involvementâ. This involves informing the patient of the procedures and risk involved in a treatment, and any reasonable alternatives, in such a manner that it allows the patient to be involved in treatment decision. This process also helps in increasing the standard of care. According to Dr. Jack Daniels, studies have shown that a dentist who spent an average 18 minutes with patients were less likely to be sued than those who spent 10-15 minutes. Those who were not sued were also likely to use humor, to tell patients what to expect and to give patients a chance to ask questions.

Body language is also an important form of communication. It s necessary to show attentiveness, keep eye contact when talking with the patient, nodding of head to show understanding, making use open gestures, referring to the medical record by keeping it open at all time, asking questions in an open-ended manner, and making sure the tone is in a positive voice. Suggestions for more open communication with patients include:

Pay attention to non-verbal behaviors
Avoid medical jargon
Do not criticize other's performance
NEVER guarantee an outcome
Treat all patients courteously and with respect
Be considerate of their time, comfort and privacy
Return calls as soon as possible
Present a professional image and provide patients with a positive environment
Address complaints and concerns

Apart from safeguarding the confidentiality of patient records it is equally important that the entries be clear, concise, complete, and legible. In addition, colleges should teach potential dentist's on patient management as it applies to clinical protocol, procedures, and record keeping. Dental records serve many purposes, for example, communication with team members, healthcare providers, consultants, insurance companies, and most importantly the patient. An accurate and complete medical and dental history is important for treatment planning and identifying âat riskâ patients. Dentists should maintain dental records on each patient. The key components being:

Personal data.
Patientâs reason for visit.
Dental and medical history.
Clinical examination.
Diagnosis.
Treatment plan.
Informed consent.
Progress notes or any referral letters.

Re: How is the grammar on this?

Lil' Ruby Rose — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 08:39:23 GMT

I believe that the ghost that has appeared before me truly is my fatherâs spirit, and that everything it has said is true. The ghost did not flee before Horatioâs âcross,â [no quotation marks needed here] and it shows Christian forbearance towards my âcommonâ [not quite the right word here, and why have you used quotation marks?] mother. Thus, I have no choice but to believe that this spirit truly is my fatherâs and not a devil trying to imitate him. I have little choice, then: I must avenge his spirit, and kill my uncle, Claudius! My fatherâs spirit calls to me, and I must avenge his foul murder!

This is not a selfish act of revenge, but an act of justice. Claudius is a tyrant: he killed a king, and worse, he killed his own brother, all to satisfy his own [repetition of own - redundant here, all your private ambitions are your own] private ambitions. He is guilty of a sacrilegious attack upon the hierarchy and order instituted by natural law; by killing my father, Claudius destroyed this natural order, and it is my responsibility to right this wrong!

The killing of my uncle must be done quickly, and discretely. Claudius is no fool, and I am certain that the blood upon his hands will cause him to become paranoid; he will undoubtedly reach a stage where he deems it necessary to eliminate all threats in order to secure [consolidate?] his power and I am certain that I would be [will be or am going to be] his first target. So I must act [strike?] first! [no exclamation mark here] I cannot poison my uncle or assassinate him in public. Such acts are [respectively?] too cowardly and too dangerous; a public murder could result in me being tried for treason. [the two parts of this sentence don't follow each other. I would use a colon after public, then full stop after dangerous and make the second clause a separate sentence]

The most discrete and most practical method of killing my uncle would be to stab him as he is sleeping with my âincestuousâ [why quotation marks?] mother. Being the prince means I can walk around the castle freely and carry my sword without arousing suspicion. At night, I could simply slip in, cover Claudiusâ mouth to suppress his screams, and stab at his heart! [stab him in/through the heart - no exclamation mark] Then, I can wake my mother and explain to her the reason for the assassination. This would fully comply with my fatherâs wishes, as not only would my uncle be dead, but my mother would not be harmed directly. All would soon be well.

The next [following] day, I will deal with the court and the public. The latter would be easy to deal with [repetition of deal with - appease/placate?], as I am loved by the people, and they will quickly accept me over Claudius. Further, the common people would not dare interfere in the affairs of kings; they will not make too much commotion, I am sure. The court, however, will be harder to convince and silence. Questions will be asked, and I will have to answer [them or which I will have to answer]. Nevermind! [Never mind is two words, it's not quite the right choice of phrase here, and no exclamation point] I am the heir to the throne and the court could not, in reality, do anything. I could silence any who oppose my power [I would either say anyone who opposes or all who oppose]; I am, after all, the rightful Prince [at this point, surely Hamlet is the rightful King rather than just the Prince?]of Denmark! I will soon be elected [by definition, kings are not elected] king and [will] rule over my people justly; just as my father did, and just as he expects me to do.

Looks pretty good to me. You have a lot of long and rather complex sentence constructions here (heavy on the semicolons!), but the declamatory tone seems quite appropriate.

Re: Letter of Motivation

matthewg — Sun, 23 Jan 2005 01:33:27 GMT

This letter is well written, and your English is good. But I did spot a few mistakes. And many of your sentences are too long, you need to use more commas and fullstops.

In the second paragraph:

"...my future plans of seeking a carrier in an international organization...." The word is career.

In paragraph five:

"...the program has guided me in systematical researching...." Guided me through, not in. Systematical is a non-word. The adjective is systematic.

"...provided me with deeper insight of political international issues...." Deeper insight into, not of.

"At the U of T...." This is not acceptable. Use the full name.

"I have benefited from co-living and communicating with people...." Co-living is a non-word; change it to living.

"...with people with various social and ethnic backgrounds." Change to from.

In Paragraph six:

"I have fulfilled my international and political interests through becoming involved...." Change to by.

"in a number of volunteering and internship opportunities ranging from...." Put a comma between opportunities and ranging.

"...being a youth candidate at Canadian federal election...." A candidate participates in a federal election.

"... being a scrutineer at the Toronto municipal elections...." This word is stupid. Just use rapporteur.

Paragraph seven:

"...expeditions to over 40 countries...." Forty.

"...I sailed to Sweden and Scotland on a tall ship, drove Canada coast to coast, hitch-hiked around...." Drove accross canada.

"In my travels I search not only for the regular nature or artistic points of interest but also investigated the cultural, social and political factors." The tenses don't match.

"...become bilingual in English and Polish...." Become fluent in.

Paragraph eight:

"...hard-working person with an international personality with an array of experiences in the world...." As opposed to a national personality? The cliche you should use here is international outlook or cosmopolitan outlook.

"...knowledge and understanding in the world...." Knowledge and understanding of the world, in this context.

"...societies throughout the globe...." Across the globe, throughout the world.

"Time permitting; I invite you to my personal web site...." Incorrect use of the semicolon. Use a comma.

Paragraph nine:

This paragraph needs commas.

"...my personal web site www.nickkozak.com where you can acquaint yourself...." Put the website address in parentheses.

"I eagerly await your decision." I eagerly await news of your decision.