Discussion Groups / English Usage / December 2008

How legal is it to use two coordinating conjunctions together in
formal writing as in much simplified example below? The author I am
copyediting does it quite frequently, and I am not at liberty to
rewrite--only to punctuate and fix grammar issues.

Does the quotation mean that Concertina barely won, by a neck?
-----
[Darties betting on horses]
Owing some hundreds, which by no possibility could he pay, he went into

Are there other adverbs requiring the indefinite article besides "a
lot?"

For an example of a "greasy spoon", you are invited to view
http://tonycooper.fileave.com/chucks.jpg
Though I have not dined here, I know it's a greasy spoon because of
the name:  Chuck's Restaurant.  If it was a high class place it would

I wonder what "cursh" means.
Also:
"He wash in--a mucker"
?

When responding to someone's request to do something, one can say "I'd
be happy to." Is this response ambiguous?
1. I'd be happy to if I do it. So I'll do it.
2. I'd be happy to if I can do it. But I can't. So I won't do it.

I'm copyediting, and I think I've stared at the same sentences too
long. Can you begin a sentece with "That is" (as in the examples
below) and have it be complete? My computer doesn't highlight it as
incorrect, but I need an explanation as to why this is a complete

Each woman was something of a misfit. Osburn claimed innocence.
Good did likewise but fingered Osburn. Tituba, recollection refreshed
by Parris’s lash, confessed—and then some.
"recollection refreshed by Parris’s lash" ???

What are the "polyphotos?"
Many links, nothing relevant.
Also, was/is it common to have "picture-rails" in living rooms?
I thought them OK for a photo lab, however ...

It's Friday afternoon, and my Chinese ESOL Teachers have been asking difficult
questions again (well, not that difficult this time...)
Today it was the difference between 'should and 'ought to':
- You should phone your mother;

Windy wine?
Fizz?
-----
["Man of the world" Dartie:]

Does this
"Taking the cool"
mean
"take a walk in the nice cool air?"

           I have the following sentence :
"The person you are reaching is not available."
I want to know is whether "you are reaching" is an adjective clause.
If so, why there is no

I dearly love news.individual.net as a news server, but I dread the
annual renewal process.  Since n.i.n. wants payment in euro, I must
use ClickandBuy to process the payment.  My US credit cards block
charges to international accounts.  To renew, I have to call my credit

http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=868
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