CONTENTS FEATURE: Heed Lincoln's advice—avoid faulty predication GRAMMAR COACH: Fielding your questions FINDER'S FEE: Recommend a friend—and earn up to $500 FEATURE: Heed Abe Lincoln's advice to avoid faulty predication      The old proverb "don't swap horses in midstream," which Abraham Lincoln popularized during his 1864 presidential campaign, is a metaphorical way of advising against changing strategy after embarking on a course of action. The same advice can apply well to writing, as shown in these four misguided sentences: "Pasteurization is where milk is heated to a specific temperature for a certain amount of time to kill bacteria." "The reason Robin left work early is because the heater was broken and the building was cold." "Temperatures in the valley will be warmer tomorrow." "The Almond Festival is this weekend in Oakley."      All of these examples are structurally flawed as a result of a problem called "faulty predication." No, we're not referring to Jane Morgan's 1957 hit song. That was the pop standard "Fascination." We're talking about predication, which is the grammatical term for the relationship between a sentence subject and the verb with its associated complements.      In the first sentence of the preceding paragraph, the subject is "all of these examples"; the predicate encompasses the remainder of the sentence: "are structurally flawed as a result of a problem called faulty predication." The predicate either describes the subject or indicates action that the subject produces or receives.      Faulty predication results when the verb and subject do not properly or logically interact. Sentences afflicted by faulty predication begin in one direction, then abruptly change course as if the writer hatched a new thought after typing the first few words.      The first sentence ("pasteurization is where milk is heated...") is flawed because the conjunction "where" refers to location or direction. The sentence subject—pasteurization—is a process rather than a place. Corrected version: Pasteurization is the process of heating material....      In the second sentence ("the reason Robin left work early is because ..."), the words "reason" and "because" are redundant. Both of them are designed to introduce explanation, but only one is needed. Injecting "is because" in the middle of the sentence sends the reader back to square one. Corrected versions: Robin left work early because the heater was broken... The reason Robin left work early is that the heater was broken....      Temperature is a measurement of heat. While air or objects can be warm or cool, temperatures cannot. Despite the predictions of weather forecasters such as in the third sentence ("temperatures in the valley will be warmer tomorrow"), temperatures can be high or low, and can rise or fall, but only objects, liquids, gases (such as air) or weather (the atmospheric condition) can be warm or cool. Corrected versions: Temperatures will be higher tomorrow... Expect warmer weather in the valley tomorrow....      Among many uses, the verbs "is" and "are" function as an equivalent to an "equal" sign. An egret is a bird; the compass and sextant are navigation instruments. The fourth sentence, "The Almond Festival is this weekend in Oakley," is flawed because a weekend cannot BE an almond festival; an almond festival is an event that is scheduled on a weekend. Corrected versions: The Almond Festival will be held this weekend... The Almond Festival will take place this weekend....      Faulty predication also corrupts these sentences: 5. "The research study looks at problems with erosion, movement, sediment and muddy water during the construction of Interstate 485." Problem: A research study is a document or process; it is incapable of "looking." Corrected versions: Engineers conducting the research study will investigate problems related to erosion, movement, sediment and muddy water... The research study encompasses examination of problems related to erosion.... 6. "An allergic reaction is when a substance triggers the release of histamines and other molecules that cause swelling and pain." Problem: An allergic reaction is not a time element. Corrected versions: An allergic reaction is an exaggerated response to a substance, characterized by release of histamines and other molecules that cause swelling and pain. An allergic reaction occurs when a substance to which a person is hypersensitive triggers release of histamines and other molecules that cause swelling and pain. 7. "By examining wear patterns on gears is how lubrication problems can be detected." Problem: A prepositional phrase ("by examining wear patterns on gears") cannot function as the subject of a sentence. Corrected versions: Lubrication problems can be detected by examining wear patterns on gears. By examining wear pattern on gears, technicians can detect lubrication problems. (The noun "technicians" is the subject of this modified version.) 8. "The pollution control board described the violation that triggered the legal action as a paving contractor who failed to properly contain debris from abrasive blasting." Problem: A contractor can commit a violation, but a contractor cannot be a violation. Corrected version: The pollution control board described the violation as failure of a paving contractor to contain debris.... The pollution control board charged a paving contractor with violation of regulations governing containment of debris from abrasive blasting. 9. "The emergency response team that the company established is just three people: the vice president of operations, the plant manager and the safety manager." Problem: Individuals are not a team; together, they can constitute a team. Corrected versions: The emergency response team consists of just three people.... The vice president of operations, the plant manager and the safety manager are the members of the emergency response team. The vice president of operations, the plant manager and the safety manager compose the emergency response team. 10. "The optometrist where I got my prescription sunglasses has moved into a new building." Problem: An optometrist is a person, not a location. Corrected versions: The optometrist who fitted my new sunglasses has moved. The optometrist from whom I got my new sunglasses has moved. 11. "Happiness is living in New Hampshire." Problem: Happiness is a feeling of pleasure, contentment or joy. Living in a certain place can produce happiness, but the place itself is not "happiness." Corrected version: Find happiness by living in New Hampshire.      So once you begin writing a sentence, ride it all the way until you reach the period at the end. Don't change horses—or predicates—midstream. GRAMMAR COACH: Fielding your questions 1. Joanne L. (not her real name) wrote:      "'The patient is here today for a complete history and physical/Pap smear.' Should this be 'history and physical and Pap smear' or 'history and physical-Pap smear'?" The grammar coach replies:      Think of the virgule (also called a "slash," "forward slash" or "solidus") as a substitute for the preposition "or," in which case it is used to indicate alternatives (on/off switch, entry/exit door). It also can substitute for the word "per" in mathematical expressions such as "45 miles/hr." The virgule has several other specific functions as well, which are described in detail in the January 2006 edition of the EditPros newsletter.      The example sentence, "the patient is here today for a complete history and physical/Pap smear," does not conform to any of the prescribed uses for the virgule. The patient presumably is not being offered a choice between a physical examination and a Pap smear. Her appointment will include both, as well as a consultation with the physician during which she will describe her medical history for the office's records. Therefore, we suggest revising the statement to read: "The patient is here today to detail her complete medical history, and to undergo a physical exam with a Pap smear."      We compliment you for properly capitalizing Pap smear, the formal name of which is "Papanicolaou smear" or "Papanicolaou test." It is named in honor of George Nicholas Papanicolaou, whose early 19th-century research into detection of uterine cancer led to development of the diagnostic test that bears his name. 2. Athea S. wrote:      "I would like some help regarding the proper use of "log on," "log onto," "log in" and "log into." Also, which preposition would be best when referring to a web site or web page (i.e., 'the instructions are provided on/in/at the web site')?      I also need clarification as to the usage of 'verify,' 'clarify' and 'confirm.'" The grammar coach replies:      Much of the terminology associated with computer use was conceived hurriedly and inadvisably, without adequate consideration of what the technology really is and how it is used. Even though "Web site" is the term that has become commonly accepted in reference to an organization's Web presentation, it's not really a "site" in the sense of a building or other physical landmark. A Web "site" is no more than a collection of electronic documents that are stored on a computer. A Web "site" is simply a form of publication.      The "site" connotation may have arisen out of the notion of "traveling" somewhere when connecting to a Web "site" in another city, state or country. But in truth, the Web is merely a sophisticated network for linking computers, regardless of whether they're in adjacent offices or in adjacent states.      Use of the term "log on" came into vogue in the early days of computer networking. "Logging on" was the process of entering passwords or other information to begin a computer session, such as retrieving information from a database. But the traditional meaning of that term is not applicable to the Web presentations of most commercial and government organizations that are immediately accessible by just clicking a hyperlink or typing an Internet address into a Web browser window. With the exception of a relatively small number of limited-access Web presentations—reserved for subscribers and employees, for example—no "log in" is required.      But when entry of information is required, do you "log on," "log onto," "log in" or "log into" a Web site? Webster's New World College Dictionary identifies "log on" and "log off" as the proper verb forms. The Merriam-Webster Online dictionary agrees, adding that "log on" often is used with the preposition "to" (as in "log on to the agency's site").      The American Heritage Dictionary approves of the phrasal verbs "log in," "log on," "log out" and "log off." It alone also says that the closed word "login" and its variant "logon" are acceptable in reference to "the process of identifying oneself to a computer, usually by entering one's username and password." The dictionary's approval of those terms appears inconsistent, however, with its failure to include entries for either "logoff" or "logout."      Other terms used in place of "log on" and its variations manage to perpetuate the notion of traveling through the Web to distant, exotic locales. "Visit" and "go to" are used commonly (as in "visit the EditPros Web site" or "go to the Web site of the governor's office." Another casually used term is "check out" (meaning "look at").      We recommend terms that dispense with the notion of travel and accurately portray the action being performed. Such terms include "connect to," "examine," "investigate," "view," "review," "scan," "peruse" and "study."      In answer to your second question, "confirm" and "verify" are closely related terms. "Confirm" is a transitive verb that means "to prove truth, validity or authenticity." The transitive verb "verify" means "to substantiate" or "to prove truth by presenting evidence, testimony or evidence."      The distinction is that "confirm" implies establishment of the truth of something that had been doubtful or uncertain (as in "the rumor was confirmed"), while "verify" implies proving something to be correct by comparison with a standard or with an established fact (such as "Shirley verified that the ring was hers by identifying the initials that were engraved on it").      The transitive verb "clarify," by contrast, literally means "to make clear" or "to elucidate."      Are you perplexed by some aspect of grammar or word usage? Don't be shy! Ask the "grammar coach" at EditPros and we'll try to help—at no charge, just for the sport of it. FINDER'S FEE: Recommend a friend—and earn a finder's fee of up to $500      Do you know of a friend or colleague whose office can benefit from EditPros services? If you do, EditPros may reward you with a "finder's fee" of up to $500.      EditPros, established in 1993, performs writing, editing, proofreading and publication management services for newsletters, brochures, Web sites, annual reports, research studies, business proposals and other informational and marketing materials. Our office is in Davis, Calif., between Sacramento and San Francisco.      Our clients include educational institutions, private corporations, health-care organizations, trade associations, scientific research institutions, Web site developers and government agencies. We have worked with some of them for more than 10 years.      If you recommend our services to a friend or business colleague, and that introduction leads to an assignment for EditPros, we will award you a "finder's fee" equaling 10 percent of the amount we earn on the first assignment for the new client, up to a maximum finder's fee of $500. Naturally, the finder's fee is applicable only to clients for which we have not worked previously.      This offer will remain in effect until further notice. YOUR TURN: Ask the "grammar coach" or subscribe      We invite you to submit your questions to the "grammar coach," and we welcome you to subscribe to this monthly newsletter—which we'll send to your e-mail address at no charge. We respond to all "grammar coach" questions personally, but delays may occur because we must place top priority on assignments from our clients. We appreciate your patience and your interest.      You also can change your e-mail subscription address. For an address change, please indicate your existing AND your new e-mail address. Thank you. OUR PRIVACY POLICY for e-mail newsletter subscribers:      We do not use any commercial e-mail lists or automated mass-mailing programs, and we do not allow access to the list by anyone else for any reason. 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