Usage and Grammar

Q. Colleagues have asserted that the definite article is never used with a comparative and that the use of a definite article requires the superlative. Consequently, even in comparing two items, they’d use the superlative with the definite article: “That is the biggest house.” “That is a better car.” I’ve asserted that, in comparing only two items, one uses the comparative: “That is the bigger house.” “That is the better car.” Who is right?

Q. Dear CMOS Q&A Guru, we are having a heck of a time ferreting out the correct verb tense to use in the second half of a sentence. There are copyeditors lobbying for each of the following conjugations:

1. At the time of distribution of this circular, this item is not yet approved.

2. At the time of distribution of this circular, this item was not yet approved.

3. At the time of distribution of this circular, this item has not yet been approved.

4. At the time of distribution of this circular, this item had not yet been approved.

Can you definitively state which is most correct and why? Please help us put this question to rest. Thank you!

Q. What is the past tense for text? I use text as in “I text her yesterday, and she text me back.” I read/hear people say texted: “I texted her yesterday, and she texted me back.” Which is more correct?

Q. I received the following comment and would appreciate any feedback on its accuracy. “The word officially is an adverb. In spoken English it often precedes a verb. However, in formal, written English, the adverb should always follow the verb. Hence officially follows the verb announced.”

Q. When somebody (especially a superior who wants to get work done through you) means, “You must/should/have to do this,” is it correct for her to say, “You need to do this”? You need to answer that; otherwise I am not likely to get sleep. Thanks!

Q. “Contains one each of the following cigars: [list of cigars]” or “contains one of each of the following cigars: [list of cigars]”? We’re having a battle in my office. What do you think?

Q. Dear Sir or Madam, I am taking a course on Hispanic linguistics. As part of a project that has been assigned by my professor, I just learned that there is an institution that regulates the usage of the English language (in the United States? Great Britain?). I would like to read more about it. It is my impression that The Chicago Manual of Style has part of the job of regulator of the English language. Is this true?

Q. What is Chicago’s view on “all of the sudden”?

Q. Hi CMOS—I have a question about sentences using either/neither. For example, “They neither discussed the case nor the suspect.” This sounds fine and a reader will understand what is meant. But almost always, people tend to apply strict grammar and transpose the verb: “They discussed neither the case nor the suspect.” Is this really necessary? I mean, I don’t see any room for confusion in the original sentence. Thanks!

Q. Sentence: Only 1 in 66 households [has/have] received this letter. Is it has or have? I presume that because 1 in 66 is the lowest common denominator of a larger group it should be have.