Possession "their" rules?

19

@Knorr I was thinking the same thing with “infer vs imply.” I thought it would be difficult to detect or make rules for that. I am mostly just reporting the most common errors that are made grammar wise. Maybe a future LT could make use of them.

I discovered more errors and these might be the trickier ones.

Apostrophes to Show Possession

The fairies wings glistened in the moonlight.
----> The fairies’ wings glistened in the moonlight.

The horses hay is damp.
----> The horses’ hay is damp.

The ladies toilets are out of bounds.
----> The ladies’ toilets are out of bounds.

Plural exception rules:

My watch was stolen from the men changing room.
----> My watch was stolen from the men’s changing room.

All television is childrens television.
----> All television is children’s television.

Singular exception to the Rule:

Singular words like Charles, Wales, Paris, Dickens can end with ’ or 's when showing possession. (My God English! Why are you so mean when it comes to possession?!?!)

It is Charles birthday. ----> It is Charle’s birthday. or It is Charles’ birthday.

Phrases - singular or plural

A box of nails are under the stairs.
----> A box of nails is under the stairs.

(box is singular)

The boxes of nails is under the stairs.
-----> The boxes of nails are under the stairs.

(boxes = plural)

A combination of factors were the cause of the crash.
----> A combination of factors was the cause of the crash.

(combination is singular)

A combination of factors are the cause of the crash.
----> A combination of factors is the cause of the crash.

(is/are and was/were can be interchanged)

principal vs principle

principal = teacher/head/main/key

principle = belief/theory/code/law

The principle objective is to make a profit.
------> The principal objective is to make a profit.

The inspector highlighted my principle concern in his opening sentence.

----> The inspector highlighted my principal concern in his opening sentence.

Here comes the principle.
-----> Here comes the principal.

The allegations against the former principle were that he not only allowed the cage fights to take place, but he also he egged on the participants.
-----> The allegations against the former principal were that he not only allowed the cage fights to take place, but he also he egged on the participants.

No! It is against my principals!
---->No! It is against my principles!

Those are my principal. If you don’t like them, I have others.
---->Those are my principle. If you don’t like them, I have others.

You are the principle culprit behind these misdemeanors. Go and stand outside Principle Beckett’s office. You need to re-evaluate your principals.
------>You are the principal culprit behind these misdemeanors. Go and stand outside Principal Beckett’s office. You need to re-evaluate your principles.

Your low profile and out-of-touch principals are the principal areas for us to develop.
----->Your low profile and out-of-touch principles are the principal areas for us to develop.

precede vs proceed

To precede means to come before (usually in time).
To proceed means to go forwards or to continue.

King George VI proceeded Queen Elizabeth II.
---->King George VI preceded Queen Elizabeth II.

The professor will proceed the first lecture with his opening remarks.
---->The professor will precede the first lecture with his opening remarks.

The flight simulator is unable to replicate the airframe shudder that proceeds the stall.
---->The flight simulator is unable to replicate the airframe shudder that precedes the stall.

Strong convictions always proceed great actions.
------>Strong convictions always precede great actions.

When proceeds = profit:

Have you spent the precede from the disco already?
----->Have you spent the proceeds from the disco already?

Colon vs Semicolon

semicolon - New ideas are introduced by a new sentence or, if you want a smooth transition between the sentences, a semicolon.

Colon - A colon can be used to introduce some more information about something mentioned earlier in the sentence.

He wanted just one thing; revenge.
------>He wanted just one thing: revenge.

He knew what his wish would be; the ability to turn stones into gold.
-----> He knew what his wish would be: the ability to turn stones into gold.

(A colon is not used to introduce a new idea to a sentence.)

He wanted just one thing: he wanted it since he was boy.
----> He wanted just one thing; he wanted it since he was boy.
or
----> He wanted just one thing. He wanted it since he was boy.

The cat’s fur was found in two rooms; the bedroom and the kitchen.
His success is attributed to one thing; determination.
------>The cat’s fur was found in two rooms: the bedroom and the kitchen. His success is attributed to one thing: determination.

It is by the fortune of God that we have three benefits; freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the wisdom never to use either.
------>It is by the fortune of God that we have three benefits: freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the wisdom never to use either.

He will be the winner of Loughborough’s oldest award; the Arthur Scotland Trophy.
------>He will be the winner of Loughborough’s oldest award: the Arthur Scotland Trophy.

Ian had caught 3 fish; a perch and 2 gudgeon.
------>Ian had caught 3 fish: a perch and 2 gudgeon.

Ian had caught 3 fish: this was the first time he had been fishing.
(You cannot use a colon to introduce a new idea.)
----->Ian had caught 3 fish; this was the first time he had been fishing.

Janice liked to talk: she often exaggerated.
----->Janice liked to talk; she often exaggerated.
or
----->Janice liked to talk. She often exaggerated

I have made an important discovery; alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities, produces all the effects of intoxication.
—>I have made an important discovery: alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities, produces all the effects of intoxication.

In this world, there are only two tragedies; one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.
----->In this world, there are only two tragedies: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.

Dot arrived late at Roger’s dinner party: she was determined to punish him for scoffing at her when she said, “she had nothing to wear.”
----> Dot arrived late at Roger’s dinner party; she was determined to punish him for scoffing at her when she said, “she had nothing to wear.”

or
-----> Dot arrived late at Roger’s dinner party. She was determined to punish him for scoffing at her when she said, “she had nothing to wear.”

20

Sorry, @ezeric! This time i have not been very successful: Except for the “principal vs principle”-problem I could not come up with satisfying rules. The “singular or plural”-problem is not new to me: A few months ago I tried writing rules but i failed.

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21

@Knorr It is not really something to beat yourself up over. A lot of grammar checkers fail in these areas. I honestly blame english. I am just really happy that we have improved LT.

Using Which, Who and That

This rule is not detected at all.

“Who” is used for people.
“Which” is used for things.
“That” can be used for either. ( One should avoid using “that” for people in formal writing. Acceptable in speech and informal writing.)

I think “that” should be highlighted in the case of a person and ask whether it is informal or formal writing.

The boy which stole the bike is at the door.
----->The boy who stole the bike is at the door.

The man which swam the channel.
-----> The man who swam the channel.

The vicar which was on BBC1 last night used to be our local vicar.
-----> The vicar who was on BBC1 last night used to be our local vicar. (A vicar is a person. Therefore, who should be used and not which.)

The PC who keeps breaking down is under guarantee until March.
---->The PC which keeps breaking down is under guarantee until March.

In Kent, a woman which shot a swan was jailed for 6 months.
---->In Kent, a woman who shot a swan was jailed for 6 months.

Please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club who will accept me as a member.
----->Please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.
or
-----> Please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club which will accept me as a member.

When to use commas with who, which, and that:

This is the tricky part. Commas need to be added after the person if it is an add on of information. If you can put it in brackets, then use commas.

Example:

His youngest daughter, who was born on 16 June 1972, swam the channel.
His youngest daughter (,who was born on 16 June 1972,) swam the channel.
(who was born on 16 June 1972 is just additional information about His youngest daughter – commas required.)

The dog, which ate the cake, is back.
----->The dog which ate the cake is back.

My dog which doesn’t like cake is back.
----> My dog, which doesn’t like cake, is back.

22

Hi, @ezeric!

Thank you for your valuable suggestions! I think we could really improve LT.
Regarding “Using Which, Who and That” I fear that there’s nothing we can do right now as LT’s part-of-speech-analysis can distinguish nouns from verbs etc, but there is non distinction between people/persons-nouns and things.
Similarly, the “commas with who, which, and that” would require a very sophisticated text analysis (I guess). Therefore, I don’t think LT can provide helpful hints w.r.t. this problem (I personally prefer to have some undetected errors instead of generating many false positives.)

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(I personally prefer to have some undetected errors instead of generating many false positives.)

If one picks formal or informal the first time, then LT should stop current session error detection for informal or formal.

@Knorr Oh well, maybe a future version of LT.

Here are more errors.

Who vs Whom

Who

This rule rarely detected.

The word “who” can only be used when it is the subject of a verb.

Who examples:

Whom paid for the meal?
----->Who paid for the meal?
(“Who” is the subject. “Paid” is the verb.)

I wonder whom is in charge.
----->I wonder who is in charge.
(“Who” is the subject of the verb “to be” (is); i.e., who is.)

Do you know the boy whom rang the bell?
----->Do you know the boy who rang the bell?
(“Rang” is a verb, so it must be “who.”)

I have not seen the man whom lives in the hut by the beach for a week.
(“Lives” is a verb)
----->I have not seen the man who lives in the hut by the beach for a week.

Who trick:

Singular who = he
Plural who = they

Who paid for the meal?
---->He paid for the meal? (Who is correct)

I have not seen the man who lives in the hut by the beach for a week.
----> He lives in the hut by the beach for a week. (Who is correct)

I met the people who were on the plane.
----> They were on the plane. (Who is correct)

Whom

Whom is never the subject of a verb. (Who, on the other hand, is always the subject of a verb.)

You sat by who all night?
(In this example, “whom” is not the subject of any verb. “You” is the subject of the verb “sat.”)
----->You sat by whom all night?

Claire saw who yesterday?
----->Claire saw whom yesterday?

Whom Trick

Singular WHOM = HIM

Plural WHOM = THEM

Sarah gave the tickets to whom?
-----> Sarah gave the tickets to him. (Whom is correct)

The witness saw four boys, one of whom had a limp, leave the shop.
----->…one of them had a limp… (whom is correct)

Whom after Prepositions

A preposition is a word (often a short word) that expresses the relationship between two other nearby words.

The “whom trick” does not really work with prepositions, but always use whom after prepositions. Actually LT detects some prepositions already.

That is the lady to who I made the promise.
(to – preposition)
---->That is the lady to whom I made the promise.

Prepositions at end of sentence

That is the lady who I made the promise to.
(to – preposition)
—>That is the lady whom I made the promise to.

Here is a list of common prepositions:

above, about, across, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, into, like, near, of, off, on, since, to, toward, through, under, until, up, upon, with and within.

24

Hi, @ezeric! Thank you for another contribution. From this, I could create some rules to detected an erroneous who(m). Fortunately, I did not need your list of prepositions as a I can simply choose the corresponding part of speech (you can check it yourself if you want)
As you have probably assumed, it is not possible to write rules that covers every corner case (For who is so tolerant that…?).

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25

@Knorr Ah, got it.

Here are more errors.

Stationary vs Stationery

Some are detected, but a lot are not.

Stationary means not moving.
Stationery is writing or office supplies (e.g., paper, pens).

We had to wait stationery for the school shop to open.
-----> We had to wait stationary for the school shop to open.

The office junior is in charge of ordering our stationary.
----> The office junior is in charge of ordering our stationery.

The office junior is in charge of filling the stationary cupboard.
---->The office junior is in charge of filling the stationary cupboard.

Save 50% on all office stationary.
----> Save 50% on all office stationary.

Jules quickly ran to the mail carriage and threw his box of stationary on board.
---->Jules quickly ran to the mail carriage and threw his box of stationery on board.

The doctors said his illness was not getting worse. The exact word they used was stationery. I would have written down everything they said, but I had no stationary with me.
—>The doctors said his illness was not getting worse. The exact word they used was stationary. I would have written down everything they said, but I had no stationery with me.

The duckling waddled slowly across the road while the traffic remained stationery.
----->The duckling waddled slowly across the road while the traffic remained stationary.

The A5 envelopes and matching writing pads are essential stationary for the clerks.
---->The A5 envelopes and matching writing pads are essential stationery for the clerks.

26

Hi, @ezeric! Again a big “Thank you” to you!
I have justed added some more rules.

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27

Thank you Knorr, for all this great work. Considering the rule you pushed today, you may wish to have a look at porting the WrongWordInContext rule to English as well. I believe it will suit rules that are also handled by the statistical methods well.

28

Hi, @tiagosantos! You’re right! WrongWordInContext seems to be the best solution. However, I do not know when I will find time to give it a try.

29

@Knorr You are welcome. Here are some more errors.

Telescope vs microscope

These two words are mixed up by children.

Telescope - A tool to look at space.
Microscope - A tool used to examine germs.

I looked into the mircoscope to see the stars.
---->I looked into the telescope to see the stars.

I looked into the telescope to look at the germs.
---->I looked into the microscope to look at the germs.

The germs ate each other as I looked in the telescope.
---->The germs ate each other as I looked in the microscope.

The planet Mars looked close in the microscope.
---->The planet Mars looked close in the telescope.

A man noticed the germs multiple rapidly in the telescope.
---->A man noticed the germs multiple rapidly in the microscope.

Appraise or Apprise

To appraise means to evaluate.
To apprise means to inform or to notify.

Appraise:

We inspect and apprise pre-owned vehicles.
---->We inspect and appraise pre-owned vehicles.

Managers apprise their subordinates against objectives set in their terms of reference.
---->Managers appraise their subordinates against objectives set in their terms of reference.

This is the perfect time of year to apprise our values.
---->This is the perfect time of year to appraise our values.

The inspector apprised the damage to the ship after the fire.
---->The inspector appraised the damage to the ship after the fire.

In April this year, one acre of land was apprised at 183 thousand dollars.
---->In April this year, one acre of land was appraised at 183 thousand dollars.

Apprise:

Please appraise the patient of the outcome of yesterday’s meeting.
---->Please apprise the patient of the outcome of yesterday’s meeting.

Managers appraise their subordinates of objectives in the terms of reference
---->Managers apprise their subordinates of objectives in the terms of reference

Lee was annoyed that I had not appraised him of the news earlier
---->Lee was annoyed that I had not apprised him of the news earlier

He was not appraised of the consequences before signing the form.
---->He was not apprised of the consequences before signing the form.

The council members met the mayor to appraise her of the latest flooding.
---->The council members met the mayor to apprise her of the latest flooding.

30

I will activate and push tomorrow the first Portuguese pairs for this rule, as a test.

If you wish, I can port the rule to English and leave it deactivated. That way you will just need to uncomment the rule in the English.java file, when you decide to work on it. I believe this will work great with the data @ezeric is providing.

31

The germs ate each other as I looked in the telescope.
could also be a case of meanwhile:
The germs ate each other while I looked in the telescope.

32

telescope vs microscope:
If a watchmaker says he focused the microscope on to the ‘planet’, then he’s talking about the planetary wheel train.

33

Sorry, @ezeric! I could not create really helpful rules for “apprise vs. appraise” and “microscope vs telescope”

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@Knorr
I think this one is easier. I know my previous report was difficult.

Already vs All ready

All ready - means completely prepared.

Already - means prior to a specified or implied time.

“Ready” can replace all ready but not already.

Already

It is all ready illegal to culture human-animal embryos for more than fourteen days.
---->It is already illegal to culture human-animal embryos for more than fourteen days.

The shark was all ready dead when they pulled in the net.
---->The shark was already dead when they pulled in the net.

The wild Hepatica Nobilis flowers are all ready blooming — one month earlier than last year.
---->The wild Hepatica Nobilis flowers are already blooming — one month earlier than last year.

All ready

Jillian is already. Mark is prepared to brief.
---->Jillian is all ready. Mark is prepared to brief.

Are you already?
---->Are you all ready?

Are you already for the trip to France this summer?
---->Are you all ready for the trip to France this summer?

35

Sorry, @ezeric! I forgot to update the forum: I have added two rules 5 days ago. All these rules will be part of the next release (planned for tomorrow).

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36

@Knorr No problem. I have been having problems with my doctor because of his bad grammar. He forbid me from getting a refill on my medication by mistake.

Proscribe vs Prescribe

To prescribe means to recommend or to authorize.
To proscribe means to forbid.

Prescribe

My doctor proscribed my medication.
----->My doctor prescribed my medication.

I have proscribed you a course of antibiotics
---->I have prescribed you a course of antibiotics

The law proscribes a minimum of 10 years’ incarceration for your
offence.
---->The law prescribes a minimum of 10 years’ incarceration for your
offence.

Proscribe

These photos are worthless. Such images are prescribed by law.
---->These photos are worthless. Such images are proscribed by law.

Police have been tracking three members of the group, which was prescribed in the 80s.
---->Police have been tracking three members of the group, which was proscribed in the 80s.

Name one country that does not prescribe theft.
---->Name one country that does not proscribe theft.

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technicality: when medication causes an allergy, proscription is the proper way to go.

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@ezeric: Sorry, it took me so long to asnwer. I have just added a new rule: proscribe/prescribe
The rule looks like this:
prescribe[ds]? proscribe[sd]? prescr proscr medication|medicine|antibiotics|doctors? theft|murder
which means that sentences containing

  • (medication or medicine or antibiotics or doctor or doctors) and (proscribe or proscribes or proscribed)
  • (theft or murder) and (prescribe or prescribes or prescribed)
    are considered rong