Common errors in English usage: Part I

I thought I'd do little blog pieces on common errors in the use of English from time to time. Here's one popular mistake a lot of people, myself included, are unaware of committing:

AM & PM

“AM” stands for the Latin phrase Ante Meridiem —which means “before noon”—and “PM” stands for Post Meridiem: “after noon.” Although digital clocks routinely label noon “12:00 PM” you should avoid this expression not only because it is incorrect, but because many people will imagine you are talking about midnight instead. The same goes for “12:00 AM.” You can say or write “twelve noon,” “noon sharp,” or “exactly at noon” when you want to designate a precise time.

It is now rare to see periods placed after these abbreviations: “A.M.”; but in formal writing it is still preferable to capitalize them, though the lower-case “am” and “pm” are now so popular they are not likely to get you into trouble.

Occasionally, computer programs encourage you to write “AM” and “PM” without a space before them, but others will misread your data if you omit the space. The nonstandard habit of omitting the space is spreading rapidly, and should be avoided in formal writing.

There you go. I hope you'll find this helpful.

Why we believe in Tricia...

Here's Tricia's version of "When You Believe". If she joined American Idol, Randy would love her. Paula would adore her. Simon would probably die from shock, hahaha! Go, go, go Tricia!

Short movie reviews...

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Good storytelling. Although most people miss the point of the whole film, anyone can watch if only for the outstanding makeup effects. Brad Pitt delivers. Cate Blanchett, beautiful as always, is effortless as Pitt's love interest. Great cinematography.



Gran Torino. Regarded by many as Clint Eastwood's "weirdest" film, which is weird. Reminded me of About Schmidt. Touching, if not a bit too melodramatic. Cast of unknowns, most of them are first-time actors. The kind of movie you'd like to watch on rainy Sunday afternoons. Pointless ending, but all in all, engrossing and uplifting. Oh, and the haunting original song at the end was sung by Eastwood himself and Jamie Cullum.


Slumdog Millionaire. Bollywood at its best. Danny Boyle (of 28 Days Later and Trainspotting fame) is not Indian but he magically captures the land of dal, kama sutra, and Taj Majal in its stark beauty and ugliness. The movie is so raw you can almost smell it but Boyle's direction is seamless, no loose ends here. The production number at the end credits is a bonus. Who says only fairy tales have happy endings? (Note: As of this writing, Slumdog tops the Golden Globes, winning all 4 nominations: Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Musical Score)

Yes Man and Bedtime Stories. Nothing extraordinary on both counts. Just wait for the DVDs.