KOMO, It's called syntax, noun and verb agreement. English 101. Show producer writing lower thirds, pick up the white courtesy phone. This is TV. Steve Soliz, did you notice this pre-reading scripts? Guess not. How bout the EP? Sloppy. Not a typo, grammar dumb.
Ferries TURN.
You are incorrect. Washington State Ferries is singular, it is the name of the agency. “Turns” is correct. By your logic “Wayne Lynch turn 75” would be correct. English 101…
ReplyDeleteOh like the Wayne Lynch Organization? Lol
DeleteWayne Lynch or Wayne Lynch organization would each be a singular proper noun. So “turn” would be incorrect
DeleteI have to agree with Anonymous on this one. "Ferries" is singular in this instance. KOMO's grammar is correct.
DeleteAlternatively, KOMO could have used the acronym "WSF" in place of "Washington State Ferries". The "WSF" acronym is widely known, used, and accepted by the general public and the agency itself.
And you know full well why they didn’t win Emmy‘s, because they didn’t submit the requisite fee to nominate themselves.
DeleteKomo lost all eight station categories it entered and 6 craft entries, by my count.
DeleteWSF is a proper noun, it’s singular. Washington State Ferries TURNS
ReplyDeleteAn agency? It doesn't read or stand colloquially. Ferries in Washington State Turn would clearly be better for viewers. Let's write like we talk.
ReplyDeleteIt's about conveying meaning. People ride the ferries not the agency. I will stick to syntax, especially for broadcast, which what I was and am. Good convo on this.
DeleteFerry Agency turns... 75. Make it read for people who don't worry about Proper nouns
ReplyDeleteSo which is it, syntax or “how we talk?”
ReplyDeleteIt's about conveying meaning. People ride the ferries not the agency. I will stick to syntax, especially for broadcast, which what I was and am. Good convo on this.
ReplyDeleteWell I guess your original post didn’t “convey meaning” when you flat out called it dumb grammar, and said the subject and verb don’t agree, which they do. It’s ok to admit you are wrong and apologize to Steve and whoever else you attacked.
ReplyDeleteNot wrong. I wrote for 45 years. I know what works on broadcast. Didn't attack anyone, just asking if anybody even questions this chyron. Make it simple and communicative is the answer. I don't mind the pushback, but I'll stand pat.
DeleteConversational language is primary. It is how we build connections and convey meaning naturally. Writing syntax—the rules of grammar and sentence structure—is a secondary skill used to organize those ideas clearly. However, the importance shifts depending on context. All I am saying is the structure was bad on a chyron. Do people ride ferries to get home or work, or do they ride the agency? I believe the chyron is wrong on syntax. I hear your argument. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteA rider would say "oh, our ferries have been around that long?". Not the Agency.
ReplyDelete"Washington State Ferries Turns 75" is still the correct and most commonly used form.You're right that Washington State Ferries (WSF) is a proper noun — it's the official name of a government agency/division of the Washington State Department of Transportation. However, English grammar for organization names often follows the plural form in the name itself ("Ferries"), especially in headlines and when the name is used as the subject in this kind of construction.Real-world evidence (current 75th anniversary coverage):Kitsap Sun / AOL: “Washington State Ferries turns 75 with DJs hitting the decks in June”
ReplyDeleteMultiple other outlets (KOMO, Seattle Times references, etc.) use "turns".
Official WSDOT announcements refer to it as the agency/ferry service but headlines consistently go with the plural verb when using the full name this way.
So online KING writes Washington Ferry System celebrates 75 years. That makes it fully clear. KIRO writes Wasington State Ferries 75th Anniversary. No verb at all in the headline and should Ferries have an apostrophe? Does a written headline need a verb? Is it a possessive or just an adjective? Let's all take the rest of the night off. I surrender to semantics, syntax and so on. But here is what I stand by, like it or not, Funk and Wagnall. Writers should generally prioritize what sounds right to the reader or listener. It's not a big issue, I will take clarity over grammar, even my grammar is not by the book. Peace, out.
DeleteIf you wrote for 45 years like you write this blog heaven help those tv stations
ReplyDeleteAnd what are your writing credentials? I have written two books. How bout you?
DeleteThe blog is conversational fun, not AP Stylebook.
Delete
ReplyDeleteIn a land full of blogs where the TV screens gleam,
Lived a blogger named Lynch who confused the writing scheme.
He'd type "your welcome" and "there going to see,"
With "loose" for his "lose" and a "definatly" spree!
His commas went wild like a cat in a hat,
While "recieve" danced around and "seperate" went splat!
"Oh the grammar!" cried readers from hither to yon,
But Lynch typed on proudly from dusk until dawn.
He screams he's the author of two books, my oh my!
Yet surely a ghostwriter fixed all his errors--no lie.
With spelling all a-jumble and grammar in a heap,
He blogged about TV with a rancorous bleep!
Yet fans kept on reading for laughs and for fun,
At the silliest blogger beneath the TV sun.
Personal vendetta. Jealousy thy name is Unknown. Come into the light.
DeleteJust one line from this conversation to show that you don't speak/write well enough to convey things properly, yet you gripe about the media doing the same. Clean up your house first. " I will stick to syntax, especially for broadcast, which what I was and am. "
ReplyDeleteI love getting under your skin.
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