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Amusing verses that shine a light on mostly medical and grammatical topics

​When proofreading with an eye to perfection, there really is no substitute for good research. While one is always guided by the client's stated preferences regarding style, there is also a baseline understanding that serves as the foundation against which required differences are compared.

I will be offering some home-grown verses here that may be helpful for keeping certain basics in mind while adapting to the guidelines of a specific project, whether under the umbrella of CMOS, AP, APA, MLA, or other guidance.

They are not intended to be comprehensive regarding any particular issue. Rather, the purpose is to draw attention to identifiable aspects that are worth noting and make them memorable.

I think of these verses tongue in cheek as "Grammar Grist." Others that you find here will be more along the lines of "Medical Musings"; some might even qualify as a combination of the two.

It'll be fun. So, let's do it. Share the cheer everywhere.


© 2022 - 2026 Medillumina 
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(A proofreader's note about “forbidding” and “foreboding”)

“Forbid” and “forebode” with “against” do begin.
 Forbid will “command,” while forebode will “foretell.”
Their limiting versions are much more alike;
“Forbidding” “foreboding” together could dwell.

They both share the sense of an unfriendly state,
“Forbidding” like daunting and frightening and more.
Foreboding, however, the future predicts,
A negative omen included at core.

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

When deciding on “into” or “in” as the appropriate choice in a sentence, a major consideration is whether the moved item (i.e., transported in space or time) becomes enclosed by something else. However, “into” is generally used for transformations of state as well as in a relatively few phrasal verbs. The latter more commonly involve “in” than “into” and simply need to be recognized as such. Furthermore, “to” is not combined with “in" when it occurs as part of an infinitive verb.

Use “into” when moving in space or time
Unless “in order to”;
For transformations, choose as well
Since “into” there is true.

To keep the two apart at times,
Consider phrasal verbs;
Is “in” within the given phrase?
Infinitive “to” in blurbs?

Some phrasal verbs will sport “into,”
And sometimes it will tell
Of special interests closely held,
Like “into styles that sell.”