Rim Shots

WHODUNNIT -- On the Dateline ID program, the presenter spoke of a woman "mysteriously found dead." The mystery is not that she was found, or even how. The mystery is the cause of death, and who was the prepetrator.

FUN, FUNNER, FUNNEST -- Years ago, the way to intensify the amount of enjoyment was to use a separate modifying word in front: Fun, more fun, most fun. However, younger folks have opted to use the alternate intensifying forms, such as are found in terms like "funny,  funnier, funniest; new, newer, newest; old, older, oldest; young, younger, youngest." Formally, the structures are known as comparative and superlative forms. Both ways of intensifying are valid, since they follow a rule.
Grammarians come in two types, prescriptive and descriptive. Both gather the rules that govern the use of a language, but the former insist that rules are what one must follow, while the latter simply describe what people do, not what they must do.
Some forms are acceptable in a given dialect, while others are not; but a form which is not acceptable for some speakers may be considered proper usage among others. In short, even in the more prestige dialects, the rules are applied in patchy, inconsistent ways.
Good writers follow the rules that are standard for their readers.

CLARITY -- Last time out, ER cited Chris Christie supporters for praising the Governor's balanced budget in the state for two years running. The New Jersey Constitution says, "The Legislature shall not, in any manner, create in any fiscal year a debt or debts, liability or liabilities of the State ..." So whether the Governor or the Legislature prepares the budget, there is a constitutional mandate that it be balanced. Memo to politicians and their supporters: Eschew obfuscation.

ADVERBIALLY SPEAKING -- Question: Is it "more important," or "more importantly"? One thing may be more important than another, but more importantly, we should know the difference. One is a descriptor, the other is an adverb.

AND BY THE WAY -- (-ly) adverbs never take a hyphen. Examples: newly elected, recently enacted, early morning dew. Hyphens should be used sparingly, and only to eliminate confusion as to which word modifies what. If no chance of confusion, lose the hyphen.