Discussion Groups / English Usage / May 2008

Everyone remembers the game of conjugations -- to take an example
posted long ago in this newsgroup, I am *firm*, you are *obstinate*,
he is *pig-headed*.

I've come across a fine example from real life, although sadly it only
two conjugations are given.  The May 2008 issue of Modern Railways
magazine includes a two-page article under the following title and
subheading:

     Cutting crime on the railway

     Ian Johnston CBE QPM DL, Chief Constable of the British Transport
     Police, told the Railway Study Association how he is combating
     crime

The "told" part may mean that this article was originally a speech,
but in any case it's a prepared text and not an off-the-cuff remark.
Here's the conjugation (emphasis added, British underpunctuation sic):

     As we gear up to deal with the extra people, the breakdown of
     the passengers on the railway - in terms of age, sex, race
     and religion - is important to us.  For example women and old
     people *tend to be more law abiding*, while race and religion
     *raise sensitive issues that require a policy on the part of
     the British Transport Police*.