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Issue For September 26, 2006


Writing Question of the Week

This is usually a question submitted by an OWL user to the OWL Tutors. If you have a question you need answered quickly, ask one of our OWL Tutors or call the Writing Lab's Grammar Hotline at 765-494-3723. And remember, both services are free for everyone!

Hello OWL,

One and one is two.

One and one are two.

I have math texts using the former sentence; but grammar texts suggesting the later sentence.

Please, which is correct?

Thank you,
George

Thank you for your inquiry. The correct sentence is "One and one is two." You are adding (think of "and" as "plus") the two numbers together (think of "is" as "equals") to equal a sum ("two"). It might be helpful to rewrite the sentence as a formal equation: "One plus one equals two."--OWL Tutor

The OWL Help Nest

Each week we publish Purdue OWL News readers' requests for advice or information and the responses from other Purdue OWL News readers.

Hello there, I'd appreciate if you can help me with the proper use of "to": Example 1: Tony Richards, CEO of our company, said that the new policy put in place would help grow our company. Example 2: Tony Richards, CEO of our company, said that the new policy put in place would help TO grow our company. Which of these sentences is correct?--Bashayir Said, Purdue Alum

Neither. The correct sentence would be "Tony Richards, CEO of our company, said that the new policy put in place would help our company to grow." In this sentence, company is the subject of the verb infinitive, to grow.--Susan Mueller, St. Louis College of Pharmacy

First of all, the predicate breaks down as follows:

  • "would help" is the verb (Present Conditional tense)
  • "[to] grow our company" is an infinitive phrase serving as the object of "would help"

Both examples use an infinitive, "to grow." Your first example uses the "bare infinitive" form (it leaves off the article "to") and the second example uses the full infinitive form ("to grow"). The Wikipedia reference I cited above explains that the bare infinitive is often used in conjunction with verbs of permission or causation. It doesn't list the verb "help" as an example, but it clearly indicates causation.

Both examples are correct, but I would argue that the "bare" construction is more concise and more typical of contemporary business writing in the U.S.--Aaron Minnick, Columbus, OH

I have a question concerning the use of verb forms. For example, "She is using" as opposed to "She uses." I often edit my students' papers from the "be" verb and the participle to the shorter form, but I can't tell them why.--Maria Murad, National American University

In using the verb form "She is using" the student is using a passive verb form. In using the verb form "She uses" the student is using the active form of the verb. This is preferable in writing since it gives liveliness to the work the student is writing. It is better to use the active form of a verb than the passive form. See "A Pocket Style Manual" by Diana Hacker. This is a veritable treasure trove explaining grammar, punctuation, usage, clarity in writing and other subjects of the English language. It is very portable and easy to use. A student can pop the book into a back pocket and be sure that it will be available when needed.--Lotte Popovic, New Jersey English teacher

Check http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html#pprogress on this site.

This is not just just a case of more or less concise writing. "She is using" is in Present Progressive tense, indicating an activity in progress; i.e. she is using something RIGHT NOW. "She uses" is in Simple Present tense, indicating a habitual action; i.e. she frequently uses something.

Another example:

I walk. (implies that I frequently or habitually walk, or am able to walk)

I am walking. (implies that I am walking NOW)

When referring to a specific action that a person is doing at the moment, the Present Progressive is a better choice than the Simple Present.--Aaron Minnick, Columbus, OH

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What's Happening on the OWL at Purdue

What's Happening in the Writing Lab

  • OWL Eye On...ESL Conversation Groups. Conversation groups are held daily in the Writing Lab to help international students improve their English speaking skills. Learn more at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/writinglab/topic/conversationgroups/. The Fall 2006 ESL Conversation group schedule is:
    • Mondays, 9:30-10:30
    • Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30
    • Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00
    • Thursdays, 2:00-3:00
    • Fridays, 11:30-12:30
  • OWL Eye On...Writing Lab Fall Hours and Locations. The Writing Lab's Fall 2006 hours of operation for Heavilon Hall are Monday through Thursday, 9:00-6:00 and Friday, 9:00-1:00. Writing consultants will be available in the Hicks Undergraduate Library/DLC on Monday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm and in Meredith Hall on Wednesday from 7:00-10:00 pm.

This week's OWL News was edited by Karl Stolley, OWL Webmaster.

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