The subtleties of English usage brought to you by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.
Do you mind me asking a question?
Do you mind my asking a question?
As explained:
In the first sentence, the queried objection is to me, as opposed to other members of the group, putting one of the questions. In the second example, the issue is whether a question may be asked at all.
The Elements of Style Third Edition has a most salubrious example of colon use that as a bonus reminds the reader of the tenuous nature of ritual.
But even so, there was a directness and dispatch about animal burial: there was no stopover in the undertaker’s foul parlour, no wreath or spray.
Beyond animal burial, options will now include compost burial or a bit more high tech promession.
And so for day 1352
26.08.2010