23rd Annual SF_Express "Stamp Out Respective/Respectively" Campaign

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myriad

 

So, "There is a myriad of people who believe in" is, in fact, still wrong. Yes? Should be believes.

 

Yes. I was merely responding to shotty.

It was post-race. I was tired.

 

Actually, I see it argued both ways, which is not at all surprising.

 

To me, it's singular. A myriad believes. Myriad is the subject, not the people.

But people always think it sounds weird when a plural is followed by a singular verb. It's definitely awkward at times, but still right.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/03/hank-williams-compares-obama-to-hitler_n_992513.html

Hank Williams doesn't use "respectively," but that doesn't mean he totally thinks Obama is Hitler in this statement.

 

The key, I think, is identifying the antecedent for "who." My read is that it's "people," making the plural verb the correct one.

It's similar to the "one of those" constructions.

"She is one of those people who like spinach."

It sounds incorrect to those who think "like" goes with "one," but the plural verb is the proper choice.

 

I just got very tired.

 

That happens to old men. Lie down. It will pass.

 

You know me too well. Kvetch among yourselves.

 

OK, one more, just because it has come up a lot this week and it drives me berserk.

The NFL season is one-fourth complete, and seemingly every columnist, beat writer and radio guy is giving his analysis of the season "at the quarter pole."

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! First, anyone with even an inkling of knowledge about horse racing knows the quarter pole is a quarter-mile FROM THE FINISH LINE, not from the start. Plus, the quarter pole is a quarter-mile from the finish regardless of the race's distance, so it doesn't necessarily even mark that one-fourth of the race is left.

If we don't know what something means can we please look it up before we say it? Or at least just not say it?

 

Now, if I followed that rule, I would be rendered mute for the rest of my life.