(A proofreader's note regarding “staff” and “staffs”)

When “staff” refers to a group, the word for more than one such group—the plural—is “staffs.” However, each staff may have multiple members, and those members are called “staff”—the plural—rather than “staffs.” Just as curious, perhaps, is the British tendency to not have the verb agree with the singular subject “staff” when it signifies a group. In the following, the American perspective comes first:

While staffing here, across the pond,

The staff was clearly seen as one.

But back at home, they'd lost their bond;

The sense of one had somewhat gone.

The staff were welcomed home with cheer,

Reception steeped in ale and rum.

Where’er such staffs may find their fare,

Their worth is greater than their sum.



(A proofreader's note regarding “into” and “onto”)

“Onto” and “into” of prepositions are, 

Pointing us forward while standing before;

Signs at the crossroads of grammar, they star,

Granted the basics of “on,” “in,” at core.

Both tell of movement toward a result,

Signifying motion when simply they're used.

“Into” is shifting from outside to in;

“Onto” is reaching a surface to roost.

“Into” brings more when in phrasal-type verbs—

Different in meaning they are from their parts.

One such example is “look into” this,

Which says “investigate” plying some smarts.

Best then to know what these phrasal verbs are,

Whether or not actual movement applies.

Phrasal verbs ending with “on” or an “in”

Conversely show where a “to” has no ties;

“Drop in” and “check in” and “give in,” alike,

Stand without “to” as appendage to “in.”

With such verbs phrasal, the “to” is apart,

Coming as separate if needed as kin.

“‘Drop in to see all the pastries galore

Moved into displays to capture the eye.'”

"Driven by purpose, you strode into store;

Eyes bright and shining, you latched onto pie.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “then”)

Since “later,” “after," “then,” and “next”

Are one-word adverbs of time, 

Like “subsequently,” “afterward,”

They live by rules sublime.

Conjunctive adverbs joining thoughts

Expressed as clauses, more,

Must bow with every entrance made,

Give clue to function sure.

The comma brought along is clue

Of clause-wide role ahead,

To modify the thought to come

While linking that which led.

A sentence here may illustrate

This role so commonly seen: 

“We'll have to let the fruit get ripe;

Indeed, it's still too green.”

But “then” is special like its peers,

The one-word temporal ones:

“They pranced and danced and lost their pants;

Then all fell down at once.”

Among conjunctive adverbs all,

These words when functioning thus

Do not require the comma's arm

But strut with status plus.

The regular adverbs similar are,

For different reason though:

No comma cometh in between

Such adverb and its bro'.

(A proofreader's note regarding “who” and “whom”)

Words “who” and “whom” are pronouns both

That dress alike apart from hem.

Yet clothing fails to tell us who

Hath right of place when phrases aim.

One serves as subject, acting out,

The other, object—acted on.

Think “who” might shout and dash about

Regardless “whom” imposed upon.

To know if subject pronoun is,

Try “he” or “she” to substitute.

Its nature true may object be

If “him” or “her” doth  better suit.

Thus relative pronouns “who” and “whom”

Are subject/object in a clause.

At times the clause itself is subject;

Analysis then is cause for pause.

But “whom” is choice for after “to,”

As is with prepositions most,

Which lead to object in the phrase

And hold that role to baldly boast.

Though language changes over time

And fashion cycles ever more,

The hem of “whom” remains the same,

While “who” advances to the fore.

“The man who came was one with whom

Most girls would flirt and, maybe, swoon.

And, yet, there were a few for whom

The day could never end too soon.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “words that transform”)

Transforming words that split in two

Change form and meaning both;

For “anytime,” like “anyway,”

Divorce doth break an oath.

Though “anytime” “whenever” means,

Its parts may speak amount,

And “anyway” (“in any case”)

To “any means” can bound.

And “anymore” may stretch apart,

Not “any longer” claim,

Since “any more” relates to plus,

Which cannot be the same.

Though “maybe” into “may be” shifts,

Some pairs are always one;

“Whereas,” “wherever,” and “someday”

Have parts that never run.

But “every time” no knot will tie,

While “everyday” may stray

To join the group of “everything,”

In larger games to play.

(A proofreader's note regarding “affect” and “effect”)

“Affect,” “effect,” both words of change,

Confuse in use though set with clues;

There's “a” for “action," “e” for “end";

They clear the views, not just amuse.

“Affect” will serve most oft as verb,

The part of speech with “actions” linked.

“To influence/cause effect upon”

Is meaning main that's heard and inked.

“Effect” would rather be a noun;

It rarely functions as a verb.

“Effect,” the noun, says “outcome caused,”

Though other meanings may usurp.

“Affect” begins, “effect” it brings,

With “a” for “action,” “e” for “end,”

Reminding what as verb comes first,

The alphabet being faithful friend.

And when as verb “effect” would act,

Its focus helps to set apart.

It emphasizes what is caused,

While with “affect,” we get the start.

“Affect” as noun is seldom found

Yet known in special fields of study—

One's underlying emotional state,

Out-picturing also there already.

“'It will affect the daily take,'

Was her retort to great effect;

Affected by her strong response,

The others voted to reject.”

“Then after change effects a change,

Effective change has had effect.

Affected by effective change,

One's affect changes to reflect.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “derisive” and “derisory”)

“Derisory” was first of the infants in nursery;

“Derisive” arrived in due course;

Since standing nearby was “derision” as parent,

Some differences puzzled their nurse.

“Derisive” would speak of “conveying or causing

Contemptuous ridicule/scorn.”

“Derisory,” the elder, surprisingly mellow,

Went further afield to adorn.

Instead of describing the thing that was mocking,

“Derisory” put focus elsewhere;

The object of mockery itself was the target,

“Inviting derision” to wear.

A clue to this difference in meanings as stated

Is found in the suffixes carried.

The “ory” of one hints a less direct function

In adjectives busy and harried.

Most “ive”-bearing adjectives act as descriptors 

Of traits found inherent in nouns.

With “ory,” more likely, a function or purpose

Is what it describes on its rounds.

In commonplace meaning, “derisory” stresses

“Inadequate/piffling in nature,”

Which then is inviting of scorn or of mockery,

Delivered by nouns with that feature.

Quite sadly, however, “derisory” sometimes

Is taken as saying “derisive.”

We know that these words although sharing a cradle

Are different in ways most decisive.

“Though stolidly entered, the sum was derisory,

And comments derisive ensued.

The manager frowned, and derisive guffawing

Was nipped in the bud as too rude.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “extant” and “extinct”)

First “extant” from “standing out,”

Adjective only in its stance;

“Still existing,” “not destroyed,”

Meanings fair with half a chance.

Then “extent” might lesser be,

With its “e” instead of “a”;

But “extend” in family tree

Gives this noun a greater say.

Next “extinct” the adjective

Waves its wand—a curse to cast;

From “extinguish,” none should live,

Left to molder in the past.

“Once extinguished, then extinct,

Yet a flame may live again.

Once distinguished, then distinct,

Yet such fame may need refrain.

“Once extinct, no chance extant,

Not there standing evermore.

This 'extinct,' no small extent;

Full its measure, ever sure.

“If extant, beware extent

And of life rejoicing be.

Coming end may some resent

If, indeed, that's all they see.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “insidious” and “invidious”)

“Insidious,” “invidious”—the words of our study—

Are actors infrequent today.

There nevertheless are some roles that do favor

The talents they bring into play.

Though wearing their costumes with only slight difference,

They claim to tell stories distinct.

It’s quickly confirmed by a look at their origins—

A hint that the two are not linked.

“Insidious” in meaning when traced back in Latin

Is “ambush-like,” clearly and true.

“Invidious,” instead, springs from “ill will” and “envy,”

With “invi” from “envy” as clue.

“Insidious” has friends in “deceptive” and “subtle,”

And speaks of a gradual amassing

Of harmful or adverse effects that are hidden,

Revealed in their final undressing.

Another sense given is “harmful but tempting,”

“Seductive” then granted as well.

“Awaiting a chance to ensnare” (as in ambush)

Comes next as the last sense to gel.

“Invidious” expresses no sense of a “hiding,”

Regardless of usage as “envious”;

“Unpleasant by nature” and  “apt to cause ill will”

Do, likewise, say “harmful not devious.”

“They only suspected insidious insiders 

When statements invidious were sent.

Their source was well hidden, for none of the members

Admitted invidious intent.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “farther” and “further”)

Though “farther” and “further” have vowels distinct,

Their functions and meanings are mostly the same;

They both serve as adjective, adverb as well,

Comparatives of “far” although different in name.

As adverbs, their senses are equally used,

Relating to literal and figurative spans.

They say “to a greater degree or extent,”

Or “at or as far as a point that's advanced.”

“More distant” is one sense the adjectives have;

Another is “going/extending beyond.”

This latter from “farther” has sought to abscond,

Discovering with “further” a much stronger bond.

This meaning, “additional,” is one of the points

Where “farther” and “further” are different in use.

There's also the adverb, conjunctive in type:

“Moreover,” “in addition,” whichever you choose.

Despite being like “farther” in much of its usage,

“Further” is favored when distance is absent.

Of interest as well is that more parts of speech

Are given to “further” by common assent.

“We run ever farther to further our joy,

Proceeding most strongly and, further, with verve.

We further the skeptics or simply annoy,

But all will be certain that farther's no verb.

“Remember that further is broader in scope,

'Additional,' 'moreover,' both there in its clime.

When ‘far’ is compared by extent or degree,

Then further beats farther, its reach more sublime.”