This user uses "data", "media", "memoranda", "criteria", and "agenda" as the plurals of "datum", "medium", "memorandum", "criterion", and "agendum".
which & that
This user joins with Dickens, Melville, and other great writers[1] in rejecting the canard that which may not be used for restrictive relative clauses.
USage decline
This user uses American English, but is appalled at its rapid and continuing deterioration.
First and foremost, I'm on Wikipedia for copyediting purposes. I have been called a "grammar Nazi," although I find that mildly offensive and go with "incredibly anal-retentive grammar freak" instead. I'm currently struggling to become bilingual (English is my native language), thus I speak passable French. I, admittedly a bit obnoxiously, correct the English of those around me, although I have been known to scream "Way to grammar!" at others, which is technically incorrect. Everyone has their own shortcomings, I guess. There's a comma splice error in my last userbox, and there's nothing I can do about it. Technically, the comma should be omitted for lack of a subject in the second section.
I'm what's generally described as a nerd. In terms of science, I'm interested in computer science, biology, chemistry, and linguistics. With regards to humanities, I read a lot of English literature, I sing, and I play the cello. And I can solve a Rubik's cube, albeit slowly (1min41sec).
I'm part of the GLBT community. If that makes you uncomfortable, scares you, unsettles you, gets you all riled up, angers you, compels you to try to help me see the light of God, or anything else negative, please take your energy elsewhere. I'm a queer; I'm a staunch atheist. There's nothing to be done for me.
