Sir: When someone is relating an event that occurred in the past, he or she will often say, "She says, `I thought I was in trouble.' " Shouldn't it be "She said"?
- Carol P.
Answer: No, not really. When you describe a past occurrence in the present tense, you're using what is called the historical present. It's intended to make the event more immediate, and it's a standard convention. So it was perfectly all right to say, "She says, `I thought I was in trouble'," especially when you and I both know she probably was, don't we?
Sir: You are in there, trying! Sometimes you are very trying. You may be surprised to learn that . . .
- William P.
Answer: Gee, sir, thanks. I'm still trying. Now I'm trying to take seriously any of those odd statements in the rest of your letter. Do you really believe that - but no, surely not. Just in there trying to pull my leg, weren't you? Yuk, yuk.
Sir: I heard someone say, "He could wreck a lot of havoc." What do you get if you wreck havoc?
- V.B.
Answer: I'll bet you know. If you wreck havoc, then you smash, disable, destroy or otherwise mess it up. In which case it's no longer havoc and may even be something in perfectly good order. That is no way to treat havoc, which should be wreaked, not wrecked.
Sir: Please give us the meaning of "Hathaway" (not Anne). Does it mean a crossing - a stream, bay, moor or other?
- S.G.
Answer: Blessed if I know or can find out. Anybody know what a Hathaway (not Anne) is?
Sir: A news magazine quotes a Clinton adviser as saying, "We're tired of letting the Republicans demagog us on this issue." I've never seen "demagog" used as a verb before - and I've always considered myself a good Democrat!
- Stephanie H.
Answer: So have I, but don't worry about it. If you have to convert a noun into a verb to deal with 'em, feel free. Anyhow, that sort of thing is done all the time - even on Democrats.
Worried wonder of the Week, from M.R.:
"My newspaper had a classified ad announcing that `For the first time, you can live in this $250,000 neighborhood for just $124,900, including a basement.' I wonder if you have to bring the basement with you to the closing?"