A world of difference between 'missing gun' and 'gun missing'

I recall reading a newspaper article in one of its columns about a boy wanting to kill his teachers but being stopped in time.

In this case, the parents found his note early and noticed the missing gun. They then alerted the police, who surrounded the school and thus saved the day. This is the article's second paragraph.

".....noticed the missing gun" appears to have a connotation and leads readers to believe that a gun was missing but later found; but after reading the whole story, readers will understand and come to the conclusion that in this case, the parents found his note early and noticed the gun missing.

Message not correctly punctuated

While reading today's newspaper, I have been attracted to an advertisement of an institution of higher learning which contains, among other things, the following message:-

At the university, you can attain that added advantage to succeed in life - experienced mentors, unparalleled academic excellence, and our latest addition of a world-class lakeside campus. They all serve to create the ideal learning environment for you. So that you can start ahead, and stay ahead. When you have the edge, it's easier to shine.

The message appears to have been incorrectly punctuated and should have been for easy reading and understanding - At the university, you can attain that added advantage to succeed in life from experienced mentors, unparalleled academic excellence, and our latest addition of a world-class lakeside campus. They all serve to create the ideal learning environment for you so that you can start ahead, and stay ahead. When you have the edge, it's easier to shine.

Kengt, Penang, November 22, 2009

The Correct Use of 'Both'

Both “My uncle will arrive tomorrow.” or “My uncle will be arriving tomorrow.” are correct.

The above is part of an answer given in a newspaper column promoting the correct use of English.

Correct usage has required the sentence to be Both “My uncle will arrive tomorrow.” and “My uncle will be arriving tomorrow.” are correct.

I have written to the editor receiving no reply and have to treat that silence means consent.

Use 'former' or 'latter' instead of 'him': A reminder of the Danger accompanying the use of Pronouns

Saturday, November 7, 2009

While reading today's newspaper, I stumbled upon the following sentence:-

A political aide to the Deputy Minister has urged the police to hasten its investigation on a leader who allegedly punched him three months ago.

Now ambiguity has arisen whether it is the political aide or the Deputy Minister who was punched.

There can be an easy solution to the situation. If it is the political aide, the sentence can be recast as "A political aide to the Deputy Minister has urged the police to hasten its investigation on a leader who allegedly punched the former three months ago."

However, it is the Deputy Minister, the sentence should be "A political aide to the Deputy Minister has urged the police to hasten its investigation on a leader who allegedly punched the latter three months ago."

A slip of the tongue?

The following sentence which appears to be a response to an interview has been included in a newspaper reporting people's reactions to the impending imposition of service tax by the Malaysian Government on credit cards in 2010.

Yeoh, who has six credit cards, does not think the small amount of tax will deter people from cancelling their credit cards, especially if they need the credit.

The sentence has got me perplexed over its meaning, and I believe it should have been

either: Yeoh, who has six credit cards, does not think the small amount of tax will deter people from applying for their credit cards, especially if they need the credit.

or : Yeoh, who has six credit cards, does not think the small amount of tax will lead (or cause) people to cancel their credit cards, especially if they need the credit.