text:
Micro Skills
- Mechanical
- Correct English
In the Department of Accounting Writing Program, "Micro Skills" refers to issues of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and correct English that every person should be able to master by the end of their college careers. Acceptable and superior papers should be almost entirely free of these kinds of errors.
You may notice that the topics below conform to the issues listed on the department's standard gradesheet.
Mechanical problems are usually the simplest and easiest to fix. Often they slip by unnoticed not because the writer doesn't know the proper usage but because of poor proofreading. You should be sure to proofread your documents carefully for all mechanical issues.
Spelling refers to the correct spelling of a word. Please see the page Troublesome Words and Phrases for help on common spelling mistakes.
Correct Word
Choosing the wrong word or phrase can make your meaning unclear. Please see the page Troublesome Words and Phrases for help on common word-choice mistakes.
Whenever putting something in quotation marks, always use double quotes, even if you're only quoting a single word:
- At Cost Corp., we believe the customer is 'sometimes' right.
- At Cost Corp., we believe the customer is "sometimes" right.
There are three basic rules for placing punctuation in conjunction with a quotation:
1. Commas and periods ALWAYS go inside the quotation marks.
- "Give me liberty or give me death", said Patrick Henry.
- The CEO has promised us "more and better benefits".
- "Give me liberty or give me death," said Patrick Henry.
- The CEO has promised us "more and better benefits."
2. Colons and semicolons ALWAYS go outside the quotation marks.
- The CEO has promised us "more and better benefits;" however, he hasn't made clear what those are.
- The expert claims "there are three ways to save money on insurance payments:" cutting costs, cutting coverage, and cutting claims.
- The CEO has promised us "more and better benefits"; however, he hasn't made clear what those are.
- The expert claims "there are three ways to save money on insurance payments": cutting costs, cutting coverage, and cutting claims.
3. Question marks and exclamation points MAY go inside or outside the quotation marks, depending on whether the question mark or exclamation point is punctuating just the material inside the quotation marks or the whole sentence. If the question mark or exclamation point belongs to ONLY the quoted material, it goes inside the quotes. If it's punctuating the whole sentence, it goes outside the quotes.
- Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty or give me death"!
- Has the CEO truly provided us with "more and better benefits?"
- Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
- Has the CEO truly provided us with "more and better benefits"?
Plurals vs. Possessives
Many students have trouble remembering when a word is plural, when it is possessive, and when it is plural possessive. A possessive indicates ownership or belonging (I picked up the man's briefcase), and a plural indicates that there is more than one of something (The men dropped their briefcases). A plural possessive means that more than one person or entity owns something else (The CPAs' jobs are all under threat). The placement of the apostrophe is the main issue here.
You need to use an apostrophe whenever you want to show that someone owns something. If you fail to use an apostrophe with possessives, your sentence will make no sense. For instance:
- Incorrect: "The dogs breakfast was cold."
- Correct: "The dog's breakfast was cold."
On the other hand, you don't want to use an apostrophe with nonpossessive plurals. If you use an apostrophe with plurals, your sentence will make no sense. For instance:
- Incorrect: "The dog's liked their cold breakfast.
- Correct: "The dogs liked their cold breakfast."
There are seven basic rules that govern the use of apostrophes to form the possessive:
1. Add an apostrophe plus an S to most singular nouns and to plural nouns that do not end in S.
Singular nouns
- chicken's life
- woman's bag
- the law's power
Plural nouns not ending in S
- geese's pecking
- women's rights
- children's friends
2. Add an apostrophe plus an S to singular nouns that end in S or an S sound.
- Jess's racquet
- Getz's friends
Exception: Use the apostrophe by itself with singular words ending in S when the possessive does not add another syllable to the word:
- Texas' first settlement
- Jesus' words
3. Add only an apostrophe to plural nouns that end in S.
- dogs' leashes
- hostesses' efforts
- students' opinions
- Smiths' home
4. Indicate possession only at the end of a compound or hyphenated words.
- president-elect's decision
- U.S. Post Office's efficiency
5. Indicate possession only once when two nouns share ownership.
- Peg and Al's store
- Vorhees and Goetz's offices
6. But when ownership is separate, each noun shows possession.
- Peg's and Al's education
- Vorhees' and Goetz's offices
7. DO NOT use an apostrophe with personal pronouns. The forms "it's" and "who's" are contractions for "it is" and "who is" and shouldn't be confused with the possessive pronouns "its" and "whose."
- It's (it is) an idea that has its (possessive) opponents alarmed.
- Who's (who is) to say whose (possessive) opinion is right?
Don't add apostrophes to yours, hers, his, ours, or theirs.
The rules listed above work exactly the same way for acronyms (words made up of the first letters of a title or phrase, such as CEO or CPA).
- The plural of CEO is CEOs; it means more than one CEO.
- The possessive of CEO is CEO's; it will come before something that belongs to a single CEO. For instance: the CEO's retirement package.
- The plural possessive of CEO is CEOs'; it will come before something that belongs to more than one CEO. For instance: the CEOs' retirement packages.
Commas (and Other Punctuation Marks)
Commas do a variety of things in a sentence, including:
- Separate words or groups of words in a list or parallel construction
- Set off introductory elements, interruptions, and words moved from their usual position
- Coordinate grammatical structures
- Prevent misreading and create emphasis
Reading aloud is NOT a good test for comma placement. There are very specific rules that govern comma placement in English. Because it's not always possible to place your commas by ear, it's worth spending a few minutes learning the basics.
There are a few basic rules to remember for placing commas:
1. Words, clauses, and phrases of equal value arranged in a series are separated by commas. Whenever you have a list of items in a sentence place commas between the items. Usually the last item in a series is preceded by the conjunction "and." You can either put a comma before this "and" or leave it out, but you should be consistent in using or losing it. (This type of punctuation is also called the "serial comma.")
Incorrect Usage:
- A successful business must provide its employees with pencils paper and paid vacations.
Correct Usage:
- Any self-respecting eccentric billionaire must hoard rubies, diamonds, and empty Kleenex boxes.
2. A comma comes between two independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions, such as "and," "but," "nor," "neither," "for," or "so." A "clause" is a group of words that contains a noun and a verb. If the sentence includes words that modify that noun and verb, those modifiers are considered part of the clause as well. (See the "Parts of a Sentence: A Brief Primer" page for more on nouns, verbs, modifiers, and phrases and clauses.) A clause is "independent" if it can stand alone as a short sentence.
Incorrect Usage:
- The company president wants a copy of your interoffice memo but I'm sorry to say that my dog ate all remaining copies.
- I did not realize that my email would be preserved in the company files nor that the janitor would find it so amusing.
- My employer has offered me two alternatives neither of which appeals to me at all.
Correct Usage:
- The recruiter asked me to sign the contract in blood, but I don't consider that binding.
- The new accountant in cubicle 39D is clearly highly skilled, and also has entrancing hazel eyes.
- My manager has just dismissed me, so I intend to put a squid in her desk.
3. Use a comma after a dependent clause, usually a fairly long one, that precedes an independent clause. A clause is "dependent" if it requires another clause to support or complete its meaning. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as "if," "because," "after," "although," "since," "unless," "whether," and "until."
Incorrect Usage:
- Because I always hated the superintendent I quit my job and went to taxidermy school instead.
- Although she bemoans the plight of baby harp seals Wanda continues to invest in environmentally unfriendly companies.
Correct Usage:
- Since we changed the corporate dress policy, casual Fridays have gone by the wayside.
- Until I see evidence to the contrary, I will assume that my fellow employees are good and decent folk.
4. Use commas to set off the person(s) spoken to in direct address. If you are writing within quotes and addressing someone (or even reporting the fact that someone else addressed someone), you use commas around the addressee's name.
Incorrect Usage:
- Mr. Kendrick said, "Come here Hitchens and bring me those papers I asked for."
Correct Usage:
- Hitchens replied, "I will be there in a moment, Mr. Kendrick, after I finish typing the papers."
5. Words that follow a noun or pronoun and identify it are set off by commas if the words are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
To determine whether modifying words and phrases are essential to the meaning of the sentence, you can try a couple of tests. Imagine placing the words in parentheses. Does the sentence still read properly? If so, then the words are not essential. If this test doesn't work, try taking the words out completely. How much has the sentence's meaning changed? If it has changed little, then the words are not essential. If the meaning is seriously changed or impaired, the words are essential.
Incorrect Usage:
- The photocopy machine smoking and crackling rolled down the hall.
Correct Usage:
- Rock Throughput, Acme's second-in-command, chose a safari outfit for the upcoming presentation.
Don't, however, use commas if the word or phrase is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Incorrect Usage:
- Billionaire, Bill Gates, got a pie in the face on Tuesday.
Correct Usage:
- Poverty-rights advocate Lurleen Reynolds enjoyed the sight very much.
6. A comma is necessary between two adjectives when they modify the same noun. To determine whether an adjective modifies a noun or another adjective, try inserting the word "and" between the two adjectives. If the sentence makes sense, then the adjective modifies the noun. If the sentence reads oddly, the adjective probably modifies the other adjective.
Incorrect Usage:
- The exhausted traders let out a weak throaty cheer.
Correct Usage:
- Ms. Fitzsimmons is a valuable client, but she is also a whiny, imperious brat.
However, if the first adjective modifies the idea set forth by the second adjective and the noun combined, no comma is necessary between the adjectives.
Incorrect Usage:
- For my first job interview I decided to wear my pale, yellow pantsuit.
Correct Usage:
- On my way down in the elevator I admired the bright pink slip in my hand.
7. A comma is necessary to set off contrasting expressions within a sentence. In this situation, a comma emphasizes the fact that you are switching from one idea to another. You may be modifying a notion that you have just introduced, or altering it, or undermining it. A comma is needed between the two phrases to help the reader understand your shift in tone.
Incorrect Usage:
- Gerald Whiskers is a businessman but also a gentleman.
Correct Usage:
- The more Acme resisted the FTC's request, the more implacable the agency became.
- I wanted money, not praise.
8. An adverbial phrase beginning a sentence is followed by a comma. An "adverbial phrase" is a group of words that modifies a verb. You can spot an adverbial phrase because it tells you something about how, where, when, or why an action is performed. If you're having trouble with this rule, you should first isolate the verb in the sentence; then work backward to find the phrase that tells you more about it. This rule is a refinement of Rule #3 above.
Incorrect Usage:
- Although Susie is an able investment banker she refuses to help me balance my checkbook. (The verb is "refuses," and the preceding phrase tells more about how/why the refusal is performed.)
Correct Usage:
- When we received our invitations to the company picnic, we were ecstatic. (The verb is "were," and the preceding phrase tells more about when we were…whatever.)
However, once you've found the verb in the sentence, check to see where it comes in relation to the phrase that modifies it. If the two are side by side, you probably don't need a comma. If they're separated by other words, you will need a comma. Reading the sentence aloud, with an exaggerated pause where the comma would fall, will help you to determine whether a comma is necessary.
Incorrect Usage:
- Around the 15 banquet tables, hovered the hungry interns. (The verb is "hovered," and the preceding phrase tells you where the hovering was done. Because the verb and its modifying phrase are side by side, you don't need a comma.)
Correct Usage:
- Close to the CEO's feet crouched a miserable-looking man. (The verb is "crouched," and the preceding phrase tells where the crouching was done. Again, because the two are side by side, no comma is needed.)
9. A dependent clause followed by a main clause is set off by a comma. See Rule #3 for an explanation of dependent clauses. The main clause of a sentence is the one that contains the most important noun and verb. The dependent clause may contain other nouns and/or verbs, but it will not be a complete sentence or idea on its own. If the dependent clause comes first in a sentence, you should put a comma between it and the main clause.
Incorrect Usage:
- By the time Sybil got here we were too angry to speak.
Correct Usage:
- Because Lewis is so friendly, he was hired right away.
10. An introductory participial or infinitive phrase should be set off by a comma. A "participial phrase" is a phrase with a verb in the present tense ending in "-ing," or one in the past tense ending in "-d," "-ed," "-n," "-en," or "-t." An "infinitive phrase" is a phrase with the verb in this form: "to laugh." When a phrase of this kind works to introduce or describe the main clause of a sentence, you need to place a comma between it and the main clause.
Incorrect Usage:
- Snoring loudly Gruberson slumped over the conference table.
- To prevent accidents always wear a seat belt.
Correct Usage:
- Shaking her head sadly, Ms. Fuller made her way around the desk.
- To allow for scheduling errors, we try never to plan ahead.
If the introductory participial phrase immediately precedes, and forms a part of, the verb, DO NOT set it off with a comma. In this case, the sentence actually splits the verb into two, and you have to imagine putting the parts together again. Find the main verb, and try pairing it with the participle or infinitive to form a complete verb. You will have to shuffle the sentence to do this, but it will help you to see the relationship of the words. Then look back to the original sentence to see whether the introductory phrase is next to the main verb. If it is, you don't need a comma.
Incorrect Usage:
- Standing nervously by the water cooler, was the new secretary. (Rephrase as: "The new secretary was standing nervously by the water cooler." The verb is actually "was standing"—the sentence splits the verb into two, but since the participial phrase is right next to the main verb "was," a comma is not needed.)
Correct Usage:
- Growing up in a rough neighborhood was my best training for the business world. (Rephrase as: "My best training for the business world was growing up in a rough neighborhood." The verb is actually "was growing up"—the sentence splits the verb in two, but since the participial phrase is right next to the main verb "was," a comma is not needed.)
11. Commas set off phrases and clauses that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. What this means: A simple test for whether a phrase or clause is essential to the meaning of a sentence is to imagine placing the phrase or clause in parentheses. If the sentence reads the same after this change, you can be sure that the words in parentheses are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. You must be careful, though, that the parentheses don't change the meaning of the sentence. If the phrase or clause is telling you exactly which summer intern is in question (the one by the photocopier), it's essential to the meaning of the sentence. If it's telling you something about the summer intern that you don't really need to know (her brother won the state wrestling championship), it's nonessential. Remember that dependent clauses can be essential to the meaning of a sentence.
Incorrect Usage:
- That summer intern, by the photocopier, knows Japanese. ("By the photocopier" is an essential clause—it tells you which summer intern we're talking about. Therefore, it does not need commas.)
- That summer intern whose brother won the state wrestling championship knows Japanese. ("Whose brother won the state wrestling championship" is a nonessential clause—it tells us an interesting fact about the intern, but doesn't define exactly which intern we mean. Therefore, it needs commas.)
Correct Usage:
- That summer intern by the photocopier knows Japanese.
- That summer intern, whose brother won the state wrestling championship, knows Japanese.
12. A comma is used to indicate omitted material readily understood from the context. Sometimes when you're repeating part of a sentence using exactly the same words, it makes sense to omit the words that the reader can supply without effort. This omission helps your style appear fluid and natural, and avoids repetition. (Be careful, however, not to omit words that your reader needs to understand a sentence easily.) When you omit these words, put a comma in their place.
Incorrect Usage:
- Some of us like cash-based accounting; others accrual
Correct Usage:
- Some of us like cash-based accounting; others, accrual.
13. A comma is used to set off conjunctive adverbs. Conjunctive adverbs are used with a semicolon to connect independent clauses. Look for words like: "however," "moreover," "furthermore," "nevertheless," "then," "therefore," and "thus." You can hear the natural pause around these words when you use them in speech; you should, therefore, put commas around them in your writing.
Incorrect Usage:
- We understand that you are highly qualified for this position; therefore we will offer it to someone else.
- The company president appreciated your witty memo; moreover he wants to see you in his office right away.
Correct Usage:
- It is our opinion that you are the best candidate for the job; furthermore, we like your suit.
- The early bird gets the worm; however, the late employee gets the ten o'clock donut cart.
The semicolon is a versatile piece of punctuation, falling somewhere between the comma and the colon in strength. Use semicolons to join two complete sentences without a conjunction between them. In other words, if the two parts of your sentence could each stand alone as a complete and logical sentence, and you don't have an "and/but/or" word between them, you need to use a semicolon. If you only use a comma, you'll be writing a run-on sentence.
Incorrect Usage:
- The boss is on a rampage, run and hide.
Correct Usage:
- The boss is on a rampage; run and hide.
- (Or, "The boss is on a rampage! Run! Hide!")
Dashes are used differently from semicolons, colons, and commas, and in the world of publishing they come in different sizes and lengths. (In most word-processing programs, typing in two hyphens in a row will automatically cause the program to place the proper kind of dash for you.) A pair of dashes is used to set off interruptions in the sentence. Whenever your sentence breaks off to talk about something that has little to do with its original subject matter, you use dashes to alert your reader. The first dash essentially means, "We're going to take a little trip now," and the second dash means, "We're back."
Incorrect Usage:
- Melvin Bunbaker, son of Gertrude and Bailey Bunbaker, and heir to the Bunbaker fortune—sneezed violently.
Correct Usage:
- Melvin Bunbaker—son of Gertrude and Bailey Bunbaker, and heir to the Bunbaker fortune—sneezed violently.
Correct English
"Correct English" refers to writing complete, grammatically correct sentences. Problems occurring because of incorrect English are easy to fix when you know what to look for. Often these problems slip by unnoticed not because the writer doesn't know the proper usage but because of poor proofreading. You should be sure to proofread your documents carefully for all correct English issues.
Run-on sentences or fragments
A sentence is often defined as a group of words consisting of at least one independent clause. But if you look up "independent clause," you'll often find it defined as "a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence," so this is not the most helpful definition. Instead, you should think of a sentence (or an independent clause) as a group of words expressing a complete thought.
A phrase or clause that cannot stand alone is a fragment:
- Until I learned about Nike's overseas business practices.
- Although I believe Sarbanes-Oxley was an important first step.
Notice that the fragments above don't express a complete thought. They contain a subject and a verb, but they still leave the reader wondering what the author is really talking about. The real problem is the first word in each sentence: "until" and "although." If those words were not present, then the sentences would be complete and correct. They would simply tell us that the speaker learned about Nike's overseas business practices and that the author believes in the importance of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. But the inclusion of "until" and "although" leads the reader to expect something more from these sentences, such as a description of what things were like before the writer learned about Nike's overseas business practices or what the writer's argument is against cash-based accounting. That expectation is never fulfilled; therefore, the sentences are fragments. (Fragments are also known as "dependent clauses"; they're dependent because they cannot stand alone.)
Revised Sentences:
- I was a big fan of the "Just Do It" ad campaign, until I learned about Nike's overseas business practices.
- Although I believe Sarbanes-Oxley was an important first step, the accounting profession still needs more oversight.
Look carefully at sentences that start with prepositions or conjunctions. See the Parts of Speech page for definitions of prepositions and conjunctions. Very often, complete sentences become fragments with the addition of one of these words. For instance, "I want a new job" is a complete sentence. "Because I want a new job" is a fragment; it leaves the reader without any information as to what happens because the writer wants a new job.
Sometimes you can make a fragment into a complete sentence just by taking out that meddlesome conjunction or preposition at its start. Sometimes you can do it by adding a few words of explanation, to express whatever meaning is missing.
You can also join the fragment to a neighboring sentence. Often, the meaning that is missing from a fragment is contained in a sentence just beside it. Join the fragment and the sentence with whatever punctuation or transition word is appropriate. Read the paragraph over to make sure that your new sentence isn't too long or awkward.
Run-on sentences
If your sentence expresses a complete thought, you should then check its punctuation. A complete sentence must have sufficient punctuation to separate its main ideas; if you do not include this punctuation, your sentence will very likely become a run-on.
A run-on sentence does not contain strong enough punctuation to show the relationship between the ideas in the sentence:
- In the middle of the meeting Paul stood up and began shouting, this display terrified the visiting CEO who dove beneath his desk.
Notice that the sentence contains three main ideas: 1.) Paul stood up and began shouting; 2.) this display terrified the visiting CEO; 3.) who dove beneath his desk. It's fine for a sentence to contain this many ideas, but it should also contain appropriate punctuation to separate and distinguish them from each other.
In this case, ideas 1.) and 2.) are independent clauses; they require a semicolon, or a comma and conjunction. Idea 3.) is a dependent clause, so it only requires a comma.
Revised sentence:
- In the middle of the meeting, Paul stood up and began shouting; this display terrified the visiting CEO, who dove beneath his desk.
- In the middle of the meeting, Paul stood up and began shouting. This display terrified the visiting CEO, who dove beneath his desk.
To pinpoint run-ons in your own writing, look carefully at the transition points in the sentence. Watch for important transition words— such as "and" or "however"— to see where punctuation may need to go. Decide which clauses in the sentence are independent (i.e., they could stand alone as complete sentences) and which ones are dependent (i.e., they would be fragments without some supporting material). Two independent clauses require a semicolon OR a conjunction and comma to join them. An independent clause joined to a dependent clause (i.e., a sentence fragment) can take a comma.
Sometimes it makes sense to chop a run-on sentence into two or even three shorter sentences. If you decide on this strategy, make sure that all of the shorter sentences are complete; they must be independent clauses. Read over the whole paragraph to make sure that you don't have a series of short sentences, which will seem choppy.
Subject/verb or tense agreements
Verbs are action words, and the subject of your sentence is the person or thing that performs an action. In English, verbs change their forms (also called "cases") according to the subject that is performing them. A subject and verb are said to "agree" when the form of the verb correctly matches the subject that is performing the action; if they don't match, they don't "agree." For example:
- Subject and verb don't agree: I frequently walks to work.
- Subject and verb agree: I frequently walk to work.
There are two important ways in which the subject and verb of a sentence must agree:
- Person: First-person subjects (I, we) take first-person verbs. Third-person subjects (he, she, it, they) take third-person verbs. See the sample sentence above for an example of a subject and verb that do not agree in person.
- Number: Plural subjects take plural verbs. Singular subjects take singular verbs. For example, you cannot correctly write, "The windows is open," because "windows" is a plural subject, and "is" is a singular verb.
Most of the time, native speakers of English match their subjects and verbs without much effort. However, in some situations, making sure that subjects and verbs agree can be more difficult.
1. A compound subject joined by "and" takes a singular verb when the subject is considered to be a unit or a compound subject. A "compound subject" is a subject made up of two or more people or things. When two or more people or things are joined in the sentence by "and," and they are performing a single action, use a singular verb if the subject is considered to be a single unit.
Incorrect Usage:
- Research and Development are reviewing the plans right now. ("Research and Development" is a single department and is considered to be a single unit.)
Correct Usage:
- Research and Development is reviewing the plans right now.
2. A compound subject joined by "and" takes a singular verb when both parts of the subject are modified by "each" or "every." See above for an explanation of "compound subject." If both parts of the subject are preceded by the word "each" or the word "every," use a singular verb, because the words "each" and "every" refer to singular nouns whenever they are used. If only one part of the compound subject is preceded by one of these words, you must use a plural verb.
Incorrect Usage:
- Each employee and every manager are invited to our boring lecture.
Correct Usage:
- Each employee and every manager is invited to our boring lecture.
3. Compound subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb in all other cases. If you are writing about two entities performing a single action but still considering them as separate entities, you must use a plural verb. Likewise, if you don't have "each" or "every" in front of both parts of the subject, you must use a plural verb.
Incorrect Usage:
- Willie and Belinda has resigned over the Donutgate scandal.
- Is the computer and the photocopier both Hewlett-Packard?
Correct Usage:
- Willie and Belinda have resigned over the Donutgate scandal.
- Are the computer and the photocopier both Hewlett-Packard?
4. Compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor" take a singular verb when the subject next to the verb is considered singular. If the two parts of a compound subject are joined by "or" or "nor," check to see which part of the subject is closest to the verb. If this part of the subject is singular, you should use the singular verb.
Incorrect Usage:
- The file cabinets or the desk are the only place I ever put my keys.
Correct Usage:
- The file cabinets or the desk is the only place I ever put my keys.
5. Compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor" take a singular verb when both parts of the subject are singular. That means if the two parts of a compound subject are both singular, use the singular verb.
Incorrect Usage:
- The phone or the microwave are beeping; I can't tell which.
Correct Usage:
- The phone or the microwave is beeping; I can't tell which.
6. Compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor" take a plural verb when the subject next to the verb is considered plural. What this rule means: If the two parts of a compound subject are joined by "or" or "nor," check to see which part of the subject is closest to the verb. If this part of the subject is plural, you should use the plural verb.
Incorrect Usage:
- The desk or the file cabinets is the place to look.
Correct Usage:
- The desk or the file cabinets are the place to look.
7. Compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor" take a plural verb when both parts of the subject are plural. If the two parts of a compound subject are plural, use the plural verb.
Incorrect Usage:
- Neither the managers nor the union organizers is interested in going out for ice cream.
Correct Usage:
- Neither the managers nor the union organizers are interested in going out for ice cream.
8. Plural nouns used as the titles of courses or subject areas, or as measurements or units of quantity (dollars, pounds, inches) take a singular verb. What this means: Don't confuse plural nouns with compound nouns. Compound nouns involve two or more separate words, while plural nouns are a single word describing more than one noun. When a plural noun fits one of the descriptions above, it is considered to be a single unit. Use the singular verb in these cases.
Incorrect Usage:
- Fifty million dollars are a lot to spend on swizzle sticks.
- Economics 101 are really tough.
Correct Usage:
- Fifty million dollars is a lot to spend on swizzle sticks.
- Economics 101 is really tough.
9. Collective nouns take singular verbs when referring to the collective nature of the group; they take plural verbs when referring to individuals within the group. Collective nouns are nouns that describe a group of individuals. Examine sentences using collective nouns carefully. If the sentence emphasizes the identity of the group as a single unit, use the singular verb. If the sentence is speaking of individuals within the group, use the plural verb.
Incorrect Usage:
- The advisory council work hard. (In this case, the council is considered as a single unit; therefore, you should use the singular verb.)
- The advisory council is divided over the Donutgate scandal. (In this case, individual members of the council are being referred to; they disagree with each other. You should therefore use the plural verb.)
Correct Usage:
- The advisory council works hard.
- The advisory council are divided over the Donutgate scandal.
10. When describing the actions of a company or corporation or its management, use the singular verb. However, when describing the actions of people within the company, use the plural verb. Companies and corporations are collective nouns. Most often, it is appropriate to consider the company as a single unit, and to use the singular verb to describe its actions. If you are writing of the actions of groups of individuals within the company, however, then you should use the plural verb form.
Incorrect Usage:
- Bander Inc. are instituting new employee-friendly policies.
- Management are studying all the ways to save more money.
- Managers at Bander Inc. is instituting new employee-friendly policies.
Correct Usage:
- Bander Inc. is instituting new employee-friendly policies.
- Management is studying all the ways to save more money.
- Managers at Bander Inc. are instituting new employee-friendly policies.
Adjectives are words that describe a noun; adverbs are words that describe, or modify, verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Don't confuse the two. Also, don't confuse "-er" and "est" adjectives with the ones that take "more." For example, the correct usage is "kinder" or "kindest," not "more kind."
Incorrect Usage:
- The CEO travels frequent to Europe to drum up new business.
Correct Usage:
- The CEO travels frequently to Europe to drum up new business.
Pronoun agreement
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns in a sentence. (For more information, see the Parts of Speech page.) There are many different pronouns, but all of them have specific uses, and you can't mix those uses up. Certain pronouns replace certain kinds of nouns, according to the noun's number and gender. Here are some examples of nouns and the pronouns that should replace them:
the errand boy (masculine, singular) = he
the errand girl (feminine, singular) = she
the company (neutral, singular) = it
the companies/errand boys/errand girls (any gender, plural) = they
Obviously, it's impossible to give a complete list of every noun and its appropriate pronoun, but you get the idea. When a pronoun correctly matches the noun it replaces in number and gender, the pronoun is said to "agree" with the noun. When a pronoun does not correctly match its noun, it does not agree.
If you use the wrong pronoun to replace a noun, your reader will have trouble deciphering your sentence. For example:
- Representatives of up-and-coming corporate conglomerate DandyCorp. say that she's a good investment.
Who's the "she" in this sentence? DandyCorp. is a company; therefore, the correct matching pronoun is "it." Mentally substitute "it" for "she," and watch the sentence fall into place.
There's a long-standing convention of referring to certain inanimate objects as "she," and in certain cases this is so well established that you may follow it in your writing (such as in the case of ships, for example). Be aware if you do so, however, that this practice is not gender-sensitive, and it may offend some readers. Also, avoid pronoun mismatching that springs from colloquial or regional dialect, as in "She's going to up and rain on us by nightfall, I reckon." In this case, "she" is used in place of the more conventional "it," which takes the place of "the weather."
Here are some hints to help you navigate the perilous waters of pronoun agreements.
1. Know your pronoun cases. Just as verbs have different tenses, pronouns have different cases; they change their form according to their grammatical function in a sentence. Pronouns can be "nominative" (used as a subject: I, you); "possessive" (used to show ownership: mine, yours); "objective" (used as an object: me, you); or "reflexive" (referring back to the subject: myself, yourself.) It's less important that you remember these terms than that you understand how to use the different cases.
Incorrect Usage:
- The boss, he went to the supply cabinet, since no one else would do it.
- The ball hit Parvis and I both.
Correct Usage:
- The boss himself went to the supply cabinet, since no one else would do it.
- The ball hit Parvis and me both.
2. Be able to recognize indefinite pronouns and use them correctly. The most familiar pronouns are the "personal pronouns," like "I," "you," "he," "she," "we," and "they." However, there are also many "indefinite pronouns," which are used to refer to unspecified people or things in a sentence. Often, indefinite pronouns express an idea of quantity. Some examples of indefinite pronouns are: "all," "each," "most," "either," "several," "everybody," "nobody," "some," "many," "somebody," "someone," "such."
Incorrect Usage:
- We every got a tiny Christmas bonus.
- Either Jim, Ringo, or Lourdes will have to take a fall.
Correct Usage:
- We each got a tiny Christmas bonus.
- Either Jim or Ringo will have to take a fall.
- Jim, Ringo, or Lourdes will have to take a fall.
3. With verbs in gerund form, use a possessive pronoun. The "gerund" form of a verb looks like this: "being," "going," "accounting." When you want to place a pronoun in front of a verb in this form, use a possessive pronoun rather than an objective pronoun.
Incorrect Usage:
- Me going to the race tracks is becoming a problem in our relationship.
Correct Usage:
- My going to the race tracks is becoming a problem in our relationship.
Note: This rule does not hold when the pronoun follows a verb like "see," "hear," or "watch." In that case, use the objective form of the pronoun: "She sees me going to the race track every week."
4. Do not use the relative pronoun "that" to refer to a person. Relative pronouns are words like "that," "who," "whom," and "which." It's become fairly common to use "that" to refer to a person, but to do so is incorrect. Use the correct form of "who" instead.
Incorrect Usage:
- The advertising executive that bought me lunch is sitting right over there.
Correct Usage:
- The advertising executive who bought me lunch is sitting right over there.
5. Use the relative pronoun "who" as the subject of a sentence; use "whom" as the object. The subject of a sentence is the person or thing that performs an action; the object is the person or thing that receives an action. You should use "who" when you are describing someone who is doing something; use "whom" when you are describing someone who is having something done to him or her. (See the Troublesome Words and Phrases page for other tips on choosing "who" or "whom.")
Incorrect Usage:
- To who it may concern: (Is the "who" performing any action here? No—it's the object of the preposition "to"; therefore, it should be "whom.")
- Whom is the person responsible for this catastrophe? (Is the "whom" receiving an action here? No, it's the subject of the verb "is"; therefore, it should be "who.")
Correct Usage:
- To whom it may concern…
- Who is the person responsible for this catastrophe?
6. You should avoid using personal pronouns in formal essay writing; if you do use them, be sure that they agree. Personal pronouns like "I, you, we, us" are considered too casual for formal essay writing. You may, however, use them in informal essays or letters or when the context of your writing calls for you to directly address your reader or make direct reference to yourself or your actions. If you choose to use "one" to replace "you," be sure to use "one" throughout. Don't switch to "you"—the two pronouns are not interchangeable.
Incorrect Usage:
- If one wants to get ahead in advertising, you must be ruthless.
Correct Usage:
- If one wants to get ahead in advertising, one must be ruthless.
7. Do not use the plural personal pronoun to refer to a singular, gendered noun. In order to avoid gender-specific language, many writers use the pronoun "they," when referring to a hypothetical singular noun, like "the applicant," or "the employee." While this is admirably intended, it's still bad grammar. However, your other choices are not much better. The best option is to rephrase the sentence, usually by making the singular noun plural. If this option isn't possible, you may use "he or she." It's awkward, but it makes sense grammatically. Avoid using slashes: "she/he" or "s/he." They're eye-catching and casual, and inappropriate for formal writing.
Incorrect Usage:
- The successful applicant will be hard-working and motivated, and they will have several years' experience with corner lemonade stands.
Correct Usage:
- Successful applicants will be hard-working and motivated, and they will have several years' experience with corner lemonade stands.
- Successful applicants will be hard-working and motivated, and will have several years' experience with corner lemonade stands.
- The successful applicant will be hard-working and motivated, and he or she will have several years' experience with corner lemonade stands.
8. Use the singular, neutral pronoun to refer to a company or corporation. It may be tempting to refer to a company in the plural, as "they," especially when you are describing some action that the company has performed. However, a company is a singular, gender-free entity and must be referred to as "it." You can use "they" when you want to refer more specifically to some group of individuals within the company, such as management or accountants. If you do so, be sure to name the individuals you're talking about.
Incorrect Usage:
- DandyCorp is in big trouble; if they don't do something quickly, they could be on the block in a few days.
Correct Usage:
- DandyCorp is in big trouble; if it doesn't do something quickly, it could be on the block in a few days.
- DandyCorp is in big trouble; if company owner Guy Rich doesn't do something quickly, the company could be on the block in a few days.
Parallel structures
A parallel structure refers to a series of phrases or clauses within a sentence; whenever you have such a series, you must make sure that all parts of it are consistent with one another, or parallel.
Here's an example of a sentence that uses parallel structure:
- This morning I have filed my taxes, painted my fingernails, and learned to play the kazoo.
Notice that the auxiliary verb "have" in the first phrase does not need to be repeated with each verb that follows in the parallel structure. If the structure is consistent, readers can mentally carry that "have" over to the other two clauses, and the whole sentence will make sense.
Parallel structures are a simple and elegant way of listing phrases in a sentence. They economize on words (you don't have to keep repeating "I have," for instance) and they communicate a great deal of information accurately and well.
Whenever one of the phrases or clauses in the sentence differs substantially from the others, the parallel structure is knocked off course. If this happens, the reader may become frustrated and confused from trying to piece together the true meaning of the words in the sentence. Here are some hints to help keep parallel structures together, so their meaning is clear and easy to understand.
1. Make sure that verbs are consistent throughout the parallel structure.
What this means: Verb tenses and forms are the most common culprits in off-course parallel structures. If your parallel structure employs the auxiliary verb "have" or "has," make sure that each verb in the structure agrees with that auxiliary. Be especially careful with irregular verbs, like "to be" and "to go."
Incorrect Usage:
- She has eaten her lunch, paid her bill, and went back to school for her 1:30 class. (Notice the shift in verb from "has eaten" and "has paid" to…"has went"? Clearly, this is the wrong form of the verb.)
Correct Usage:
- She has eaten her lunch, paid her bill, and gone back to school for her 1:30 class.
2. You should use articles EITHER with every item in a series, OR only with the first. Articles are words like "the," "an," "a." (See the Parts of Speech page for more information.) If your parallel structure includes articles, they should be repeated in front of every phrase or clause in the structure, or else dropped after the first phrase or clause.
Incorrect Usage:
- Do you want the goldenrod, the saffron, butter, daylily, or ochre copy paper?
Correct Usage:
- Do you want the goldenrod, the saffron, the butter, the daylily, or the ochre copy paper?
- Do you want the goldenrod, saffron, butter, daylily, or ochre copy paper?
3. Correlative conjunctions should be followed by the same grammatical structure. Correlative conjunctions are words like "both…and," "not only…but also," and "either…or." If you have these words in your sentence, you must be sure that the phrases or clauses that follow them are parallel.
Incorrect Usage:
- The visiting lecturer's talk was both a boring one and totally irrelevant.
- It's not a time for clear thinking but panic!
Correct Usage:
- The visiting lecturer's talk was both boring and totally irrelevant.
- It's not a time for clear thinking, but for panic!
4. Prepositions, like articles, should be the same for each item in the series. Prepositions are works like "on," "at," "before," "above," "below." (See the Parts of Speech page for more information.) If your parallel structure includes prepositions, they should be repeated in front of every noun in the structure, or else dropped after the first noun.
Incorrect Usage:
- Do you want to go to the store, at the movies, or to the park?
Correct Usage:
- Do you want to go to the store, to the movies, or to the park?
- Do you want to go to the store, the movies, or the park?
Unclear antecedents
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns. (See the Parts of Speech page for more information.) You use pronouns to keep your reader from getting bored by seeing the same nouns over and over again:
- Lewis said that Lewis wanted to go to business school because Lewis had always been interested in money, and Lewis was good with numbers.
With pronouns, the sentence is much easier to read:
- Lewis said that he wanted to go to business school because he had always been interested in money, and he was good with numbers.
Whenever you use a pronoun, it is taking the place of a noun that is implied but which isn't convenient to include at the moment. The noun that the pronoun is replacing is called the "antecedent." In this case, Lewis is the antecedent for the pronoun "he." Every time you read "he," your memory says, "Lewis," because the sentence introduced Lewis clearly at the beginning, and he's the only person the "he" could refer to.
But if you hadn't introduced Lewis, your memory would tell you nothing—"he" would mean no one in particular, or at least no one we know.
- He said that he wanted to go to business school because he had always been interested in money, and he was good with numbers.
Who is "he"? In this case, there's no clear antecedent for the pronoun "he"— it could be talking about Bill Gates or the Prince of Wales.
Furthermore, if the sentence introduces two or more people instead of just Lewis, we would have no way of knowing which one of them was the "he" in question:
- Lewis and Gregory both want to go to business school; he has always been interested in money, and he is good with numbers.
Who's the "he" in question—are we talking about Lewis, or Gregory, or someone else altogether? Again, there's no clear antecedent for the "he" in this sentence. You may decide to use the proper noun again to avoid confusion or rewrite the sentence to make the meaning more clear.
A common antecedent problem is the use of "this" without an accompanying noun, especially at the beginning of a sentence. Many people try to use "this" as a transitional word between sentences, but without an accompanying noun, the meaning can be unclear. For example:
- Brainstorming is a crucial component of creating business strategy. This is the important first step in creating a strong business plan.
The writer means "this" to refer to "brainstorming," but without an accompanying noun, the meaning gets muddy, because it can also refer to "creating business strategy." If you remember that "this" always takes an accompanying noun, your meaning will always be clear.
- Brainstorming is a crucial component of creating business strategy. This technique is important in creating a strong business plan.
To fix unclear antecedents, you need to make the relationship between the noun and its representative pronoun clear in some way. How you will accomplish this task depends on the sentence you are writing, but there are three methods you can try:
1. Insert a helper noun. This method is probably the simplest way to fix an unclear antecedent, because all you have to do is stick another word in the sentence. In order to make the meaning of your "this" or "that" clearer, you can add a helper noun to define the pronoun.
- Unclear antecedent: The photocopy machine is buzzing, the phones are ringing, and someone is knocking at the door; this is driving me crazy! (What does the "this" refer to—the buzzing, ringing, knocking, or all three?)
- Clear antecedent: The photocopy machine is buzzing, the phones are ringing, and someone is knocking at the door; this turmoil is driving me crazy! (The sentence clearly refers to all three.)
2. Replace the pronoun with a noun. Sometimes an antecedent is unclear not because it might be confused with something else in the sentence, but because it's simply not there in the first place. In this case, you should replace the pronoun with an appropriate noun.
- Unclear antecedent: While atomic waste products are hard to dispose of safely, it remains a reasonable alternative to burning fossil fuels to produce electricity. (What is the "it" in question? Atomic waste products aren't a reasonable alternative to fossil fuels—something else is being referred to.)
- Clear antecedent: While atomic waste products are hard to dispose of safely, nuclear power remains a reasonable alternative to burning fossil fuels to produce electricity. (The vague pronoun "it" is replaced with a clear and specific noun.)
Note: Avoid using the pronouns "it" and "they" without antecedents, to describe people or things in general. Fix this construction by replacing the pronoun with a noun.
- Unclear antecedent: In New York they talk much faster than they do in DeKalb.
- Clear antecedent: New Yorkers talk much faster than people from DeKalb.
3. Revise the sentence. Many times, the best possible fix for an unclear antecedent is to rewrite the whole sentence, such as when an unclear antecedent has made a sentence awkward or vice versa. Obviously, you will have to decide on the exact revision yourself, but you can refer to the Avoiding long or awkward sentences page for some more guiding principles.
- Unclear antecedent: A secure job, a decent wage, and a lot of adoring attention: this is what I want. (What does the "this" refer to? A secure job, a decent wage, a lot of adoring attention, or all three? You could fix this sentence by adding a helper noun of some kind, but it would still be awkward. So you should revise the whole sentence instead.)
- Clear antecedent: I want a secure job, a decent wage, and a lot of adoring attention. (Starting with the subject clears up a lot of the confusion over the object of the sentence—now we can assume that the author wants all three things. The vague pronoun "this" has disappeared completely, and the sentence is much more fluid.)
Dangling participles
A dangling participle (also known as a "misplaced modifier") refers to a participial phrase that is modifying the wrong noun. For instance:
- Walking home yesterday, a tree nearly fell on me.
If we apply strict logic to this sentence, it means that the tree was walking back home: we assume the subject of the independent clause (here, "a tree") to be the subject of a phrase attached to the main clause. In other words, the participial phrase set off by the comma is meant to modify the noun that immediately follows the comma. "Walking home" is set up to modify "a tree" according to the sentence's internal logic, but "walking home" really refers to "me." The participle "dangles" because the noun it's modifying isn't in the right place in the sentence.
Dangling participles are not considered acceptable in standard English, so you should avoid them in writing. Recast offending sentences so that the subject of the attached phrase is clear. Often that change is as simple as putting the noun into the participial phrase:
- As I was walking back home yesterday, a tree nearly fell on my head.
- If the cover is properly secured, you shouldn't be able to remove it.


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text:
When summer comes to mind, we almost always focus on picnics, days lounging on the beach, and tasty iced drinks. But hot weather has a gnarly side too. We're talking about the real dog days of summer, when intense heat and humidity make it impossible to sit comfortably, let alone sleep through the night.
The obvious solution for cool, calm, and REM-ful sleeping is an air conditioner: These modern gizmos can keep a bedroom at the optimum sleep temperature (roughly between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit), plus provide some nice white noise to boot. But even small window units use up tons of energy and jack up monthly electric bills. So what's an environmentally-responsible, budget-conscious sleeper to do?
Living through a hot summer without A/C seems impossible but, hey, our grandparents did it all the time! Turns out, they learned a few things in the process. Read on for some tried and true DIY strategies for staying cool on hot nights.


text:
function check_options(theForm) {
//alert( document.cart_quantity.prod_id.value );
Instructor: Kent Trammell
Produced by: CG Cookie
In this training series Kent Trammell will take you through the complete process of modeling a creature for production in Blender. He will show you how to take an original piece of concept art and reproduce it in 3D as a production-ready model with clean topology, great details, and ready for texturing, rigging, and animation.
This includes image levels, image colors, color management, handling proper alpha values, green screen keying, and much more. You will also learn many techniques for managing your renders in a smarter way that enables to perform many changes and make finer adjustments without needing to render again.
You will learn advanced masking techniques, how to work with all of the different render passes and even how to make your own render passes. Beyond that you will also learn how to properly handle ambient occlusion, environment lighting, shadows, reflections, refractions, and more.
View the complete chapter outline


text:
Light Science Activities for Kids
1. Light & color theme 2. Light science 3. More light science 4. Light & color books
Introduce light and color science activities for kids during the holiday season. Lights are everywhere, and papers that glitter, sparkle and reflect are easily available.
Collecting or borrowing flashlights, led lights, a plasic lightbox and transparent plastic objects will give the students plenty of hands on experiences as they learn about transparency, reflections and shadows.
Light Sources
First - Brainstorm with the kids and see how many light sources your students can think of. They may say: the sun, the moon, the stars, flashlights, light bulbs, fire, fireflies, rainbows, matches, fireworks, lamps, and lasers.
Second - Have the students make a book or poster about sources of light to record their thinking. Have the children draw and cut out sources of light or use the FREE LIGHT SOURCE TRACERS here.
Materials to Gather for Science Activities
- flashlights
- led lights
- plastic light box
- a light brite
- Old shiny cds that reflect light
- a collection of papers-
- black construction
- colored tissue - light and dark
- transparent papers
- cellophane paper in different colors
- wax paper
- glittery christmas cards
- reflective ribbons
- metal mirrors
- concave and convex lens (plastic)
- kaleidoscopes
- plastic prisms
- optical illusions and blind spot pictures
- glitter and glitter paint
- shiny stickers with stars, circles, or light source shapes
Science activity for kids - Make a "lights in the sky" picture
Show dark and light, day and night, and sources of light in the sky. Use stickers to make the moon, sun and stars. Add glitter to the light circle.
- Black circle for dark
- Yellow circle with glitter on the edges for Light
- Half black circle on a white circle for night and day
- White circle with a yellow circle sticker for the sun
- White circle with an orange circle for the moon
- White circle with star stickers for the stars
1. Light & color theme outline
2. Light science - light sources, materials to gather, lights in the sky,
3. More light science activities for kids - Make a collage to show that some things reflect light, light color vocabulary, light and color concepts, make a peep box
4. Light & color books


text:
Members of Congress sing 'The National Anthem'outside the Capitol during the 12th anniversary ceremony of the 9/11 terror attacks Wednesday.
- Filed Under
For some political superstars on both the right and the left, the designation "moderate" has become a dirty word. With Congress just returning to Washington to take up critical issues, that's a disaster.
Sarah Palin, for instance, ripped New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as a "go along to get along" politician who has abandoned the "don't tread on me" principles of true conservatism. This might come as something of a surprise to angry Garden State Democrats who have battled Christie as a confrontational, right-wing ideologue.
Meanwhile, freshman senator and GOP rising star Ted Cruz ...


text:
Evangeline Lilly, left, and Orlando Bloom star in 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.'
- Filed Under
'Tis the season for elves, but not the toy-making ones in Santa's workshop, however.
Making a big name for themselves this time are the Middle-earth elves who resemble James Bond and Batman all rolled up into one pointy-eared package.
A company of 13 dwarves and one famous hobbit were featured in the first film in the trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, last year's An Unexpected Journey, the new movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (opening Friday) puts the spotlight on an elf crew that for director Peter Jackson is pretty much perfection. ...


text:
Hot Gossip
Katie Holmes acting 'very flirty' with co-star?
- Photo: Rex USA1 of 12
- Photo: GAJ/TMH/ZOJ/WENN2 of 12
- Photo: FMB/WENN3 of 12
- Photo: FMB/WENN4 of 12
- Photo: Dave Spencer/Splash News5 of 12
- Photo: MediaPunch Inc / Rex USA/Wonderwall6 of 12
- Photo: Rex USA7 of 12
- Photo: AGNY/GSI8 of 12
- Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage9 of 12
- Photo: Splash News10 of 12
- Photo: Sharpshooter Images/Splash News11 of 12
- Prev
The New York tabloids are doing their best to shove Katie Holmes into a rebound romance. On the heels of a New York Post report that claimed no fewer than seven guys on the set of her currently filming manic-depressive indie flick "Mania Days" have asked her out comes word from the New York Daily News that the former Mrs. Tom Cruise has been "getting flirty" with co-star Luke Kirby.
The evidence, such as it is: Holmes has been dodging the paparazzi around her Manhattan neighborhood and was spied spending time with Kirby off-camera.
According to the paper, Suri's mom left the set with Kirby on Wednesday, and, unlike the work-related, digit-clasping pic below, they were "almost holding hands" while walking in the East Village (given the crush of people on the average New York sidewalk, Holmes could have been "almost holding hands" with just about anyone, but OK).
A spy also alleges that when Katie saw the paparazzi, she changed directions, ditched Kirby and hopped into a cab, eventually rendezvousing with him down the street. They've also been "giggling a lot" and reportedly grabbed dinner together on Tuesday.
"She's smiling all the time, very flirty," asserts the mole. "He seems to be very into her."
Or he's just a friendly co-worker.
As for Cruise, he surfaced at an L.A. Kings game on Thursday, where he posed for a photo with "American Idol" alum Pia Toscano. Seems he sought her out to praise her performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and she Instagrammed a photo of the meeting.
The pic immediately had the Internet on alert, since it's been nearly a year since Holmes surprised Cruise with divorce papers, and he's overdue for a new suspicion-clouded romance.
Katie gets soaked and other LOL Pics
Gwyneth exercises how many hours a day?
Most Watched on Wonderwall
Fashion Offenders
Fergie, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Heidi Klum all get an F on this week's Fashion Offenders.Watch Video »
Diva Double Date
Beyonce and Alicia Keys double date with their famous hubbies on today's Celebs Gone Social.Watch Video »
Where Are They?
See what the cast of "American Beauty" is up to today.Watch Video »
J.Lo's Mini Me
Jennifer Lopez shares an adorable photo of her look-alike daughter, plus more celebritots on social media on today's Celebs Gone Social.Watch Video »
First Pitch
Prince Harry, Jessica Alba and more stars who threw out the first pitch at baseball games.Watch Video »
Aussie Babe
Sofia Vergara poses in a revealing neon bikini while her "Modern Family" castmates hit the beach in Australia on Celebs Gone Social.Watch Video »


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text:
Sweden's Anton Jonsson made his first Pro Tour appearance in 2000 at Pro Tour Tokyo and kicked things off with a Top 64 finish. Despite the strong start, Anton knew he could have done better.
"It was Pro Tour Tokyo, and the format was Invasion Block Constructed," Anton recalled. "The most surprising part was probably that Jens Thorén had created an awesome deck—the Blue-Black Rat deck—and he wasn't even qualified! Jens never really built that many decks but when he did they were obviously awesome. I made Top 64, but if I hadn't made some really bad mistakes that deck could have done much better. The other big memories from that event are the thrill of playing in a big cash-prize tournament for the first time, and of course experiencing the wonder and magic that is Japan."
"We actually had a PTQ in Umeå—one of the few we ever had—and I remember that I wanted to borrow cards for a deck from Jens," Anton explained. "Only problem was that like four or five guys had borrowed cards from him before I even knew about the PTQ, so I was stuck playing some Stompy deck. This was Extended and Necro/Donate was legal so Stompy didn't seem optimal to me, but the deck had already qualified two Swedes and somehow the little green men got me there too."
As he headed to his first Pro Tour, Anton tried to have no expectations, but the game had always come easily to him and some thoughts could not help but creep in.
"I was happy to have qualified and happy to play a big tournament," said Anton. "Subconsciously though, I think I had been conditioned to believe I would always do at least OK. Whenever I played in local tournaments or even Nationals or Grand Prix I did OK and I think I was just dumb enough to think that the Pro Tour level would be no different."
He got back to the Pro Tour the following season in New Orleans. His subconscious proved to be correct as he made the first two of his five career Pro Tour Top 8s that season—capped by a Top 32 finish at Worlds to boot. Anton credits a big part of his success was his affiliation with the likes of Tomi Walamies, Thomas Rosholm, Mattias Kettil, and Mattias Jorstedt who made up Team Punisher at a time when European Magic players were bursting onto the scene in a big way. He felt that the emergence of European playtesting teams at the start of the millennium had a lot to do with the shift in power from North America to Europe.
"Basically you had all these really good players that had finally understood that they needed to form good teams so that they could show up at Pro Tours with good decks," Anton said simply. "Like Kai [Budde] and his collaboration with people like Ben Ronaldson and John Ormerod, or the emerging Dutch players like Kamiel [Cornelissen] and Jelger [Wiegersma], or the French headed by the Ruels and [Gabriel] Nassif. In the U.S. this had been going on for a while, but suddenly Europe was doing the same thing and unsurprisingly taking a piece of the cake."
"Personally, I had the opportunity to work with Team Punisher, which was comprised of some of the best players in Sweden and Finland—and later on Norway—with a sprinkle of Denmark, Switzerland, and even Australia," Anton continued. "The team had been around for a year when I joined, and even with playtesting that often could only be described as 'chaotic,' we would find good decks for most events. I think the biggest reason for our success was that we had a good-size team with members that actually trusted each other."
Anton first appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot last season, a year that saw both him and Steve O'Mahoney-Schwartz finishing just below the threshold to be inducted at Worlds in Chiba. Despite falling just short last season, Anton felt good as the 2011 ballots went out even if he could not completely wrap his head around the concept.
"I always thought my chances this year would be pretty good, especially with the way the voting last year went and me doing regular content for Star City Games," explained Anton. "Also, once people started posting their ballots on social media I became pretty confident since most I read had me on the list. This all leads up to a really weird feeling when I actually got the call that I had made it in. One part of me had already accepted that I would be voted in, while the other was still processing just how absurd it is to be voted into a Hall of Fame—any Hall of Fame."
Anton is not one for long-term plans but expected that he would play in Pro Tours provided he had the time and money to travel, and the opportunity to prepare sufficiently. If all that lined up, did he think he still had the chops to play on Sunday again and add to his five Pro Tour Top 8s?
Pro Tour: New Orleans 2001-02: 5th (Extended) Nice 2001-02: 6th (Booster Draft) Amsterdam 2003-04: 3rd (Rochester Draft) San Diego 2003-04: 4th (Booster Draft) Nagoya 2005: 2nd (Rochester Draft)
Grand Prix: Oslo 2001-02: 2nd (Block Constructed) Reims 2002-3: 8th (Extended) Seville 2002-03: 1st (Booster Draft) Prague 2002-03: 7th (Booster Draft) Amsterdam 2002-03: 3rd (Team Rochester Draft) Bochum 2003-04: 2nd (Team Rochester Draft) Helsinki 2004-05: 5th (Rochester Draft) Lisbon 2005: 8th (Booster Draft) Gothenburg 2010: 2nd (Booster Draft)
Masters: Houston 2002-03: 8th (Booster Draft)
Anton became known as one of the all-time great Limited players, a mantle he happened to pick up from fellow 2011 inductee Steve OMS. Anton was also one of three players who appeared in back-to-back Limited Top 8s during the 2003-04 season, Mike Turian and Nicolai Herzog. Anton now joins those two players in the Hall of Fame.
Coincidentally, Anton posted the fifth of his Pro Tour Top 8 appearances the same year the Pro Tour Hall of Fame was announced. Interested by the pros' reaction to the new Hall of Fame, fellow commentator and Pro Tour Hall of Famer Randy Buehler and I asked Anton at the time if he thought he would eventually be enshrined and he admitted that it was a possibility.
"Ever since then I could envision it happening, I could hope it would happen, but the fact that it is happening is still surreal," recalled Anton half a decade later when asked what the induction meant for him. "I have played Magic for more than half my life, and I am almost 34 years old. Apart from stuff like eating, sleeping, breathing, and walking, I don't think there is one activity I have spent more time on. So what does being enshrined mean to me? More than it probably should."
Looking back at his career, Anton could not single one thing out as his highlight: "Can I say all of it? Playing in Top 8s for thousands of dollars is just so much fun, and something I will remember for the rest of my life. But also of course the friends, the laughs, the drafts, the food, the drink, the world."
He was similarly hard-pressed to single out anyone for thanks beyond his earlier acknowledgement of his Team Punisher cronies, but he was able to narrow it down to two special people.
"My mom and dad for showing support always," said Anton before adding: "I started a list here but it is just so long. I'd like to thank everyone that supported me both playing Magic and outside of Magic and everyone that made playing on the Pro Tour so much fun."
Listed below are notable decklists from Anton Jonsson's Pro Tour career.
Main Deck
60 cards
40 cards
Anton emerged as one of the top players in Europe in the early 2000s as part of Team Punisher.
Anton posted four of his five Pro Tour Top 8s in Limited events, earning a reputation as one of the game's masters at draft formats.
Anton had two seasons in which he appeared in two Pro Tour Top 8s: 2001-02 and 2003-04.
Anton's stoic nature belied his fierce competitive side and subtle sense of humor.
Anton shares his knowledge of Limited formats through writing and instructional videos, inspiring a new generation of players to excel at Limited formats.
© 1995-2015 Wizards of the Coast LLC, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Code of Conduct


text:
Steve King Blog
Jimi Hendrix's Last Concert 42 Years Ago Today, September 6th.
It has been forty two years since Jimi Hendrix gave his final concert. It was Sept. 6, 1970 when the second incarnation of the Jimi Hendrix Experience took the stage at the Open Air Love & Peace Festival in Fehmarn, Germany.
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text:
Architect graduates get benefit boost
Unemployed architecture graduates were handed a boost last week following an announcement by the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham to relax benefit rules for graduates looking for practical work experience
Under the new rules unemployed graduates looking for practical experience after completing part I will be able to undertake an unpaid placement of up to 13 weeks without forfeiting their £64.30 jobseeker's allowance.
To be eligible, graduates must have been claiming the benefit for at least six months. For more information on the government's plans for graduates, click here.
Readers' comments (1)
Oh, so you have to be out of work, getting rejections from architectural practices, for over 6 months before you get a 'little' help....Doesn't the fact that it highlights the obviousness that graduates are experiencing worklessness for up to 6 months indicate rather clearly that MORE help IS needed to help them continue with their studies?? £64.30 still doesn't help pay the bills, food, rent, travel, stationary...John Denham needs to appreciate the severity this recession is having on Architecture Students.
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text:
Hyponatremia in Critical Care
by Patrick Neligan (c) 2002
What is it?
Extracellular fluid osmolality is determined, in general, by the serum sodium concentration. A
serum sodium of <135mEq represents a hypotonic state. There is a net
excess of water in relation to sodium. This may be caused by excessive
administration of hypotonic fluids, the inability to excrete free water, or
the presence of other osmotically active molecules in the extracellular
Why is it important in ICU?
Hyponatremia is important for four reasons:
What is Pseudohyponatremia?
Serum osmolality is governed by
contributions from all molecules in the body that cannot easily move between
the intracellular and extracellular space. Sodium is the most abundant
electrolyte, but glucose, urea, plasma proteins and lipids are also
important. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis may have hyponatremia, but
normal osmolality, due to hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and ketonemia.
Patients with acute renal failure may have hyponatremia due to uremia.
Serum osmolality is calculated from:
2(Na + K) + BUN/2.8 + Glucose/16
or in SI units (mmol/l)
Classically, we divide up pseudohyponatremia into conditions in which the measured and calculated serum osmolalities are the same - hyperglycemia or uremia, and those in which there is an osmolar gap: some osmoles are clearly there (measured), but we have not recognised them. The source of unmeasured osmoles may be endogenous (lipids or proteins), or exogenous - alcohols (ethanol, ethylene glycol, methanol or isopropyl alcohol).
What is the Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH secretion?
A number of diseases / drugs
cause either ectopic production of ADH (arginine vasopressin) or cause
release of this compound from the posterior pituitary gland. The result is a
paradoxically concentrated urine with dilute blood (the urinary osmolality
is higher (>300mOsm) than the serum osmolality (<300mOsm).
Algorithm for Assessment of Hyponatremia
How do you manage Hyponatremia?
If Na >125, the treatment is water restriction, 500ml-1000ml per day
If Na < 125, or water restriction is not possible, furosemide 40mg-80mg iv repeated as necessary, with replacement of electrolyte losses.
If this strategy is unsuccessful at raising serum sodium, treatment with hypertonic saline may be necessary: NaCl 0.9% contains 1mEq of Na in 6.5ml (i.e. 0.154 mmol/ml), NaCL 1.8%, contains approx 1 mEq Na per 3.25ml, 3% NaCl containe approx 1mEq Na per 2ml.
If the cause is SIADH, and the patient does not respond to fluid restriction, then loop diuretics may be helpful. An alternative treatment is to cause a nephrogenic diabetes insipidis, by administering demeclocycline 300-600 mg BID.
Repleting the Sodium Deficit
4 Steps:
If you are going to use hypertonic saline, you must calculate the sodium deficit: it is conventional only to correct half of the deficit. The normal serum sodium is 140 mEq/L.
Step 1: find out the patient's weight is kilograms prior to illness.
Step 2: Calculate the Sodium Deficit
It is usual to correct only half the sodium deficit (NaD): (hence the deficit/2)
NaD = (Desired Sodium - Patients Sodium /2)
If the patient's weight is 70kg, and the serum sodium is 120, then the desired change is 10 mEq/L
Total body deficit of sodium is the sodium deficit x total body water (TBW)
NaD x (weight in Kg x 0.6) = Total deficit (TD)
Using the formula: 10 x (70 x 0.6) = 420 mEq.
Step 3: calculate the rate of replacement
Most physicians replace the deficit at no more than 0.5 mEq per hour. The patient has a deficit of 10 mEq, so at this rate, it will be replaced over 20 hours (10/0.5).
Rate of Replacement (RoR) in hours = NaD/ 0.5
Step 4: replace the sodium deficit with the fluid of your choice
The amount of fluid required depends on the sodium content of that fluid:
TD / [Na Fluid/ml] / RoR = per hour fluid replacement
If we are using 3% saline in this 70kg male patient with a serum sodium of 120:
(420/0.513) / 20 = 41ml/hour
That is, after 20 hours, assuming no other fluids are given, the patient's serum sodium will rise to 130mEq/L. If 0.9% saline is given:
(420/0.13) / 20 = 160 ml/hour
Please note: these tutorials are for personal study purposes only. They are not currently peer reviewed, and no responsibility will be taken for mistakes or inaccuracies. Reproduction of information is forbidden. All material is copyrighted by the GasWorks Group.


text:
May 15, 2013
Lee County's Alexis Roland, front row, center, smiles as she signs her scholarship to play soccer next season for nearby Darton State College. Roland was joined by, front row, from left, her father, Keith, and stepmother, Pam, as well as back row, from left, Lee County head coach Dave Baltenberger and Darton head coach Ken Veilands. (Timothy Threadcraft/Special to The Herald)
Stories this photo appears in:
Lee soccer's Roland chooses Darton State
After spending most of her high school career in Valdosta, Alexis Roland found a home her senior year at Lee County, where she parlayed her senior season on the soccer field into a college scholarship with Darton State on Wednesday.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.


text:
Daily NewsView All News
Survey: Hiring Solid in 2012
Recruiters and hiring managers foresee a solid hiring picture for the first six months of 2012, according to a national survey conducted by Dice Holdings Inc. (NYSE: DHX), released Monday.
Nearly half (47 percent) of hiring managers and recruiters say they plan additional hiring during the first half of 2012.
Forty-three percent of hiring professionals say the economy has not changed their companies' and clients' hiring plans, while 21 percent are increasing hiring, indicating their view on the economy is more constructive. Another 30 percent report having adjusted their hiring plans downward due to the economy.
Meanwhile, just 15 percent said layoffs were possible in the first six months of 2012, up slightly from the 12 percent who said so for the second half of 2011. Only 40 percent predicted an increase in quits in 2012, compared with 48 percent in the prior survey.
"With so much uncertainty in the air when it comes to the economy and job creation, it's a surprisingly positive sign that nearly half of respondents are optimistic about hiring at the start of 2012," said Scot Melland, chairman, president and CEO of Dice Holdings. "Although modest in size, we've added private-sector jobs for 20 months now, and that modest job growth looks set to continue. We need to focus on removing any hurdles that impede companies from investing in America's talent."
More than 1,000 U.S. hiring professionals participated in the survey, conducted on November.


text:
Visit by HRH Princess Anne to the laboratory in January 2010
The Royal Society Brian Mercer Innovation Feasibility Award 2013
Professor Edirisinghe is the founding editor of the Journal of Bubble Science, Engineering & Technology and a member of many journal editorial boards. He is a visiting Professor of the Istanbul Commerce University in Turkey and a guest Professor of Sichuan University, China (the National Engineering Research Centre for Biomaterials). He has been a University of London Professor for more than 10 years now.
2010 Venture Prize
2009 EPSRC J. Royal Society Interface Award
2012 UK Biomaterials Society Presidents Prize
2013 Royal Society Brian Mercer Feasibility Award


text: Fast Company Interaction10: How to Design an Experience for Experience Designers? Planning an event for designers who specialize in interaction can be a daunting task. Jennifer Bove recounts how she approached designing a conference like she was designing a service and engaged the host city in creative ways. Read More » By Jennifer Bove


text:
Cutout Neck Dress: Fantastic desk-to-dinner dress in an easy-care fabric with sassy cutouts at the neckline.
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Dress color was pretty but the fabric was too sheer. Would have liked thicker fabric.
Austin Texas
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Envelope Clutch: This have-to-have handbag is a super stylish accessory that goes with so many different outfits! Use the gold chain shoulder strap or tuck the chain inside and carry it as a clutch.
Buy 2 or more for just $44.99 each!
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Pretty In Deep Lilac
I purchased the clutch purse in deep lilac and it's a beautiful color. I already had a Jacket and high heel sandals in the deep lilac, but never purchased the purse until now. I'm real glad I finally did, because along with the jacket and high heel sandals it makes my outfit complete. I have many colors of these clutch purses I have purchased through the years from MetroStyle, and I just love them all. There a must have item if you want a well put together outfit. Great purchase! :)
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text:
Specifications for the
MBT-70 (KPz-70)
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Not Available - US / West Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1965
Production Total: 14
Focus Model: MBT-70 (KPz-70)
Crew: 3
Overall Length: 29.86 ft (9.10 m)
Width: 11.58 ft (3.53 m)
Height: 8.60 ft (2.62 m)
Weight: 50.0 US Short Tons (45,349 kg; 99,977 lb)
Powerplant: US: 1 x Continental 12-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine developing 1,470 horsepower; West Germany: 1 x Daimler-Benz MB-873 diesel engine (changed to 1 x MTU diesel engine of 1,500 horsepower output.
Maximum Speed: 43 mph (69.2 km/h)
Maximum Range: 400 miles (644 km)
NBC Protection: Yes
Nightvision: Yes
US Army Version:
1 x 152mm XM-150E5 main gun / launcher (Shillelagh AT missile-capable).
1 x 20mm remote-controlled anti-aircraft autocannon.
1 x 7.62mm general coacial purpose machine gun
West German Version:
1 x 120mm main gun
1 x 20mm remote-controlled anti-aircraft autocannon.
1 x 7.62mm general coacial purpose machine gun
42 x 152mm AP/HE/WP projectiles (US Only)
6 x Shillelagh AT missiles (US Only)
660 x 20mm ammunition
2,700 x 7.62mm ammunition
MBT-70 - US Army Designation
United States; West Germany


text:
3/3 Today is....
I Want You to be Happy Day
When : Always March 3rd
"I Want You to be Happy Day" is an unselfish day. Its a thought that we wish upon others that we care for or love.
Celebrate today by doing more than wishing someone is happy. Do something to make others happy. It can start with an Ecard that will put a smile on someone's face. Other ideas include a phone call, making positive compliments, or cooking a special meal. Be creative. There are endless ways to make others happy.
Name something that makes you happy :)
My family
My parents visiting
Sleeping in
A good book


text:
Item Code: IDI913
by Atma Jo Ann LevittPaperback (Edition: 2006)
Pilgrims Publishing
Size: 9.1" X 6.1"
Pages: 308 (Illustrated throughout in B/W)
Weight of the Book: 473 gms
Discounted: $22.50 Shipping Free
Kripalu Yoga, originally pioneered by Yogi Amrit Desai and later developed into a structured practice by key kripalu teachers, provides an introduction to the life-transforming yogic principles that are Bapuji's legacy to Kripalu Center. With his teachings as its foundation, Kripalu Center is the largest residental yoga center in the world and is located in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. Offering year-round training programs and health services, Kripalu Center provides the means for guests to develop awareness, cultivate health, and embark on a journey of deep spiritual transformation-all through the application of the tools of Yoga.
Swami Kripalu, affectionately known as Bapuji (or dear father), was one of the greatest Kundalini yogis of the 20th Century. Scholar, classical musician, composar, playwright, athlete, actor, and consummate story-teller, Bapuji was most renowned for his practice of sahaj or spontaneous yoga and his encyclopedic writings on yoga and classical music. He lived in the western state of Gujarat from 1913 to 1981.
Although Bapuji visited the US from 1977-1981, few of his writings have been translated into English. Thus the full impact of his wisdom is yet to be felt in the west. Atma's thoughtful and creative approach to his life and teachings in Pilgrims of Love builds a strong foundation for getting to know this extraordinary master of yoga.
Stephen Cope, author of Yoga and the Quest for the True Self
The bulk of this work is a compilation of talks given by Swami Kripalu throughout North America. Bapuji, or "dear father," as we lovingly called him, taught at the Kripalu Ashrams in Pennsylvania while visiting the United States between 1977 and 1981. Along with speeches in North America, this work also includes excerpts from speeches he gave in India for visiting residents and disciples, plus portions of his letters to Yogi Amrit Desai, Dinesh Majmundar, and other close disciples. In addition to Bapuji's self-narrated life stories and discourses on yogic principles, this work contains commentary from disciples who studied with him, reflecting a different aspect of his achievements and influence.
For more than thirty years Bapuji practiced intensive yoga Sadhana or spiritual practice. Part of that practice included a commitment to silence. Although he may not have spoken, he generally wrote his speeches on a slate or sheath of papers, which were then translated from his native Gujarati into English by Yogi Amrit Desai, Swami Vinit Muni or other assistants. Since he broke his customary silence for the first few months of his stay in the U. S., we were fortunate to hear him speak at first and then receive the translations. Later he remained in silence except during major celebrations. Some of this text's inconsistencies may be due to the varied or incomplete translations that we received and the difficulty conveying certain yogic concepts cross-culturally.
Although I've tried to make Bapuji's prose more accessible through light editing, I've stayed close to the original translations wherever possible. Since the Indian style of speechmaking may ring formal to our western ears and since Bapuji spent so much time in silence, there are times when his language takes on a serious, ponderous tone. But that's not always the case and certainly, he-more than anyone-knew when comic relief was due.
Throughout the discourses I've chosen not to change his predominant use of male pronouns in favor of inclusive language. It was not a convention of his time. Keep in mind that Bapuji saw us all-male and female-as seekers and in his life and practice as a swami he largely had transcended gender issues. Thus we can allow "he" and "him" to translate as "we" and "us".
Above all, Bapuji refers to himself as a pilgrim on the path of love. If we were to follow him on this path, hw would entreat us to study the tenets of eternal religion (Sanatana dharma) so that in our lives we may experience the whole world as one family (vasudhaiva kutumbakam)
|Photo Credits
|Part I
|Bapuji's Life in His Own Words
|Chapter One:
|My Early Life
|Chapter Two:
|My Family
|Chapter Three
|My Purposeless Existence
|Chapter Four
|My Guru
|Chapter Five
|Our Pilgrimage
|Chapter Six
|A Swami's Life
|Chapter Seven
|A Monumental Resolve
|Chapter Eight
|In America
|Part II:
|Bapuji's Guidance for a Lifetime of Sadhana
|Chapter Nine:
|A Fool for Love
|Chapter Ten:
|The Love of Guru and Disciple
|Chapter Eleven:
|Initiating a Spiritual Path
|Chapter Twelve:
|On the Battlefield of Yoga
|Chapter Thirteen:
|My Guidance to Disciples
|Chapter Fourteen:
|The Sadhana of Liberation
|Chapter Fifteen:
|The final Victory
|Part III:
|Disciples Explore the Meaning of Sadhana
|Chapter Sixteen:
|Bapuji's Kundalini Yoga practice
|Chapter Seventeen:
|Capturing the Heart and Soul of Sahaj Yoga
|Chapter Eighteen:
|The power of His Presence:
|Disciple Recollections
|Chapter Nineteen:
|Final Reflections on Serving
|Bapuji and Self-Realization
|Closing Prayer: Bapuji's Bhajan Guru Mara
|Suggested Reading
|Contact List


text:
- Filed Under
Wear orange for Melanoma Monday
Readers are requested to wear orange on Monday for skin cancer awareness. Readers also are urged to take a photo of family, friends and co-workers wearing orange and upload the photo to www.SpotSkinCancer.org/SPOTorange. The website also offers free resources to help spread the word about skin cancer.


text:
location: Stalking Isaak (at restaurant)
Tru sits at the northwest corner of Argyle Ave & Selma Ave, and they created the Fox Hole entrance on the 6200 block of Selma Avenue. But the sign and awning are fake, and in real life that door is just a plain side exit for Tru.
Rick shot the photos below, during filming, in August 2012.
Here is an aerial photo of the location. Here is a Google StreetView. And here is a map link.
Q. How the heck did you figure out where it was?
Dexter screenshots from the show and all related characters & elements
are trademarks of and © Showtime.
Looking for something in particular? Search the Seeing-Stars website!


text:
Dilworth to lead diversity initiativesPaulette Patterson Dilworth, Ph.D., will bring 38 years experience with her to build upon UAB's longstanding reputation as one of the nation's most diverse college campuses. She will begin here Jan. 15, 2016.New executive director selected for Alys Stephens CenterAnna M. Thompson earns high praise for her extensive arts-management experience, national involvement and ability to build strong collaborations. Thompson, who comes from the University of Notre Dame, will begin work Dec. 1 and report to the Office of the President.Solomon to lead ADA complianceAllison Solomon, who is director of Disability Support Services, is the new ADA Compliance Officer for UAB. Her appointment was effective Sept. 5.Phillips is new associate director for CTLScott Phillips' interests in the use of technology in teaching and curriculum development 'opens new possibilities' for faculty.McMahon to be next dean of Graduate SchoolLori McMahon, Ph.D., will enrich excellence and innovation in graduate education through professional and career-development initiatives and lead collaborative efforts for recruitment and outreach with various academic units to attract highly qualified students.Cowart named assistant dean for BusinessAssistant Professor Lary Cowart, Ph.D., is the new assistant dean for accreditation in the Collat School of Business. He assumes those duties from Professor Jack Howard, Ph.D., who had served as associate dean for faculty development and research since 2013.Three honored as emeritus facultyThree longtime faculty in the UAB School of Medicine have been honored as emeritus professors. They are John T. Carpenter, M.D., James R. Jackson, Ph.D., and Luis O. Vasconez, M.D.Business selects sales, marketing expert as new chairC. Michael Wittmann, Ph.D., will be the new chair of Marketing, Industrial Distribution and Economics in the Collat School of Business, effective July 1. Wittmann comes to UAB from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he chairs its Department of Marketing and Merchandising.Endowed chair, professor appointed in School of MedicineProfessor Ravi Bhatia, M.D., is the next holder of the Martha Ann and David L. May Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, and Professor Edward W. Hook III, M.D., was chosen to be the inaugural holder of the Cobbs Endowed Professorship in Infectious Diseases.Barnes selected to lead Enrollment ManagementBradley Barnes, Ph.D., has been named vice provost for Enrollment Management, and his first day at UAB will be July 15. Barnes, who will report to Provost Linda Lucas, will lead a comprehensive enrollment-management unit to develop strategies for student recruitment, admissions, retention and persistence to graduation.
Safety Resources
- Emergency
- Blazer Express Routes
- Blazer Express Safety Escort
- Help Phones
- Safety Tips
- UAB Police Non-Emergency
- Rave Guardian Security App


text:
HP reports declining revenue, details 27k layoffs
updated 05:58 pm EDT, Wed May 23, 2012
Net revenues slide to $30.7 billion
HP has reported its fiscal second-quarter financials, pointing to a slight slide in net revenues to $30.7 billion. Earnings per share fell to $0.80, slightly higher than the internal forecast of $0.68 to $0.71, however the company nonetheless confirmed plans to eliminate eight percent of its workforce.
Net profits showed a significant decline, falling 31 percent to $1.6 billion from $2.3 billion in the same quarter last year. The company reports a three-percent gain in enterprise hardware sales, however consumer revenues slid by four percent as the gains in desktop sales failed to counter the falloff in notebook shipments.
HP's printer group also posted lackluster numbers, as year-over-year revenues declined by 10 percent. Consumer hardware was the hardest hit, with a 13-percent drop in unit shipments.
The layoffs are expected to affect approximately 27,000 employees by the end of the company's fiscal-year 2014. Some staffers will be offered early-retirement packages, though the exact number of incentive offerings remains unclear.
The workforce reduction is expected to achieve annualized savings between $3.0 billion and $3.5 billion. Although the company has remained profitable, it argues that the layoffs are necessary to enable further investments in "people, processes and technology" as part of a broader restructuring plan, which is also said to include supply-chain optimization, strategy simplification and other improvements.
"These initiatives build upon our recent organizational realignment, and will further streamline our operations, improve our processes, and remove complexity from our business," said CEO Meg Whitman.
The company is said to be eyeing further investment in cloud, big data and security segments.