Jan Freeman

Longtime editor, originator of @bostonglobe’s The Word column, occasional blogger, recovering nitpicker. Now janfreeman at the sky blue site.

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@lifestanceUS wants me to pay a $70 penalty because I called to reschedule an appointment only 47 hours and 47 minutes in advance ... instead of a full 48 hours. As if Massachusetts needed more evidence of the ill effects of letting private equity take over health care ...

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@jhansen434 @AntigoneJournal Yes, I concur.

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@fredvultee @GrammarTable The pioneers: of the pioneers who etc., he was one.

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

Jesse Sheidlower catalogs endless permutations of the F-word https://t.co/U3C5MAyPnk via @BostonGlobe

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@FedExHelp I just sent a direct message can you access that one

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@FedExHelp Come on people, you don't say delivery is from 10-2, then from 10-12, and AT NOON change it to "sometime today" without even an end time. We have people assembled to take care of this heavy item, now will expect porch delivery. Tracking #779968898575

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@FedExHelp number is 617-680 xxxx you should have the rest

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@FedExHelp I'm unable to send a DM for some reason. Address is 113 Park Place, Ithaca 14850, name there s. vaughn, i'm the contact, janfreeman11@( my phone company's name)

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@JemButterfield @aigne_aighne [email protected] (if this site allows me to post it)

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@JemButterfield @aigne_aighne Already there, but I have to stop by here occasionally to check up on you laggards!

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@JemButterfield @aigne_aighne They don’t have time for two accounts either, so they’re moving to Bluesky…

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@RCdeWinter Yesssssss!

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@imalexbeamyrnot *demonstrandum

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@MikeSacksEsq "a meaning that often trumped the letter of the law"

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@reneeygraham Maybe consider Bluesky? Would love to see you there,

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@GrammarTable You're welcome! Did you get a copy of "The Truth about English Grammar" from his publisher? I asked them to send one (which may have gone to your publisher).

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@GrammarTable I also asked him about "estimated to sell for," in an earlier quiz, and he said he thought its oddity was that "you are forced to take 'to sell' as having a future time reference." (I had thought it might be nonstandard, but he said no, its weirdness was "not extreme.") 3/3

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@GrammarTable That is, you can say "it's pretty" but not "it's worth." And the complement has to be a noun/noun phrase ("worth your time, worth millions.") So it's not strange that classifying it was a headscratcher for many of us civilians! See CGEL pp. 546-547. 2/3

[Jan Freeman @Jan__Freeman]

@OliverKamm Yes, but even better: Geoff Pullum has a new book, The Truth about English Grammar, that's even simpler than the Student's Introduction. Perfect for non-linguists like me who are steeped in the old, confusing "grammar" and would like to sweep away the cobwebs.