Criminal Sentence 667: Which State Do You Live In?

From an online article:

"If Richard Linklater’s Boyhood doesn’t live up to the Oscar hype surrounding it, at least the writer and director of the unique coming-of-age tale can take comfort in knowing it was the President of the United State’s favorite film of the year."

Which state is that?

I think he meant "the President of the United States' favorite film."

As an aside, it was a great film!

A cool song from Weird Al.

Criminal Sentence 665B: God vs Devil

This should technically be Criminal Sentence 666 but I know that this number bothers some people. So I'm making it 665B. Before I get to the exciting criminality of the sentence, this 666 business reminds me of an interesting moment in my video store cashier life in about 1989. The total came to $6.66 but the woman said, "I'm not paying that amount. I'll pay you $6.65 or $6.67." I suggested one cent over. 

Anyway, here is a sign I saw while at a red light earlier today (I didn't have time to snap a photo):

"God love's you."

The Devil's work or just carelessness?

Criminal Sentence 665A: Governing Rules

From the paper:

"As governor, Arizonans will know where I stand."

As governor, I will not write misplaced modifiers!!"

I suppose politicians know more about laws than grammar, but I still feel like complaining about this candidate's statement. 

A few years ago I actually did meet this man because we shared the same trainer and my session was after his sometimes. If I meet him again I'll probably not mention this oops.  

Criminal Sentence 664: Turn That Bad Grammar Off!

I was sitting in a movie theater and saw this message on the screen:

"Please turn off and refrain from cell phone use."

I am supposed to turn off my cell phone and refrain from cell phone use. I get it but this instruction doesn't quite work. I suppose it sort of makes sense to turn off cell phone use, but it's the cell phone, not the use, that I need to turn off. Plus, it's hard to use a cell phone when it's turned off!

It would be better to ask this:

"Please turn off your cell phone now."

What do you think?

New Grammar Girl episode: Clipping

Sorry the notice is late. This came out a couple weeks ago:
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/how-clipping-makes-new-words

Criminal Sentence 663: Is Abby Getting Married to a Reader's Boyfriend?

Today's Dear Abby concerns a woman who is having boyfriend intimacy problems and Abby is advising the woman to be careful before she considers marrying him. The closing sentence suggests the couple go to a hotel:

"Before agreeing to marry him, I recommend you schedule some time alone together by spending a few romantic weekends at a hotel or motel."

Who would be marrying whom in this sentence?

"Before agreeing to marry him, I ..."

No, not I! "I" is Abby.

Let's rephrase:

"Before you agree to marry him, I recommend you schedule some time alone together by spending a few romantic weekends at a hotel or motel."

or

"I recommend that before agreeing to marry him, you schedule some time alone together by spending a few romantic weekends at a hotel or motel."