Re: How would you type this?

This is one of the most common grammatical errors made. It IS the
milliliters that were withdrawn. "Of" is the key. "Of blood" describes
milliliters (could have been something else--urine from a catheter, or
serosanguinous fluid, normal joint fluid, etc.) and is a prepositional
phrase that modifies the subject. A prepositional phrase is NEVER the
subject of a sentence. I know it doesn't sound right, but it is correct,
plural subject, plural verb. I correct this grammatical error a lot in
dictation. I can take the time to look it up in a grammar book if you need
me to! But not on the second and we are heading out to make sure we have
adequate hurricane supplies (It's not expected to be more than category 1
if that--but we'll probably lose power for a while.). Did you ever do the
diagram where you break down the sentence? I can't draw it on the
computer--but "of blood" goes on the little slanted line underneath the
subject, milliliters.

Not being argumentative. I'm a grammar "nut" I admit, but I am sure of this
one and don't feel bad, it is a very very common error. I'm one of those
people who sits in front of the TV and cringes with the grammar mistakes--I
could give you a list--the misuse of the words proven/proved tops it right
now. It is as if the word "proved" has disappeared from the dictionary!!!!
Misuse of the word "like" is probably the most often heard (and most often
dictated). I can forgive grammatical errors in a live news show--we all
make them occasionally--but when I hear them on elaborate advertisements
that should have been proofed it just make my blood curdle!

Barb C.

"Melinda Meahan - take out TRASH to reply" <mmeahan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
message news:BgcPe.10530$p%3.40854@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Barbara Carlson wrote:
>> I disagree strongly. The was should be were. Of blood is a
>> prepositional phrase, not the subject, which is milliliters. It is not a
>> case of a disagreement, was is wrong, were is correct.
>
> Why? It's not the milliliters that were withdrawn, it was the blood.
>
> This is not an argumentive question but a sincere one.


.

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