My previous column prompted a cascade of nuggets on misuses of language — adding to the original list of 10 that earlier readers suggested.
The new list, in a moment. First, headlines that befuddle us:
"China sentences star Uyghur scholar who vanished to life." (Are you sure it wasn't to the afterlife?)
"Pedestrian killed after being struck by vehicle in Orangeburg." (What? Did the driver back up?)
For your consideration:
1. "Whether report": If you write, "I am deciding whether to go to the concert," don't write "whether or not." The word "whether" embodies "or not."
2. Who/whom: It's correct to say, "Whom are you going to lunch with?" But that "whom" grates on the modern ear. I'd vote for "Who are you going to lunch with?" But I'd stick with "whom" in a sentence like this: "California Governor Gavin Newsom is considering whom to appoint to replace Senator Feinstein."
3. Less/fewer: Fewer people are dining out these days. Those who do are consuming less alcohol.