Grammar Moses: There is a lot of 'on' on readers' minds

Jim Connelly of Algonquin recently sounded off on a combination of words he finds troublesome.

"Your recent column on the subject of too many words brought to mind the annoying use of 'off on' in describing an official's act of signing a document. 'The governor signed off on the bill.' Couldn't he (or she) have simply signed it? I view the expression "off on" as something like a double negative. The words just cancel each other out. But I see it used so frequently, even in such esteemed papers as the Daily Herald. Is there ever an occasion when that usage is proper?"

In the case of a governor and a bill, a governor very specifically "signs" a bill. So, yes, why add words when the most precise solution is one word?

Used in a more colloquial sense, "signing off on" something equates to offering one's assent. There need not be any signatures involved.

I sign off on approaches to stories and front-page layouts and changes to headlines without signing my name. I wouldn't have the strength to type this column at the end of a long week if I literally signed off on things all day.

As for whether "off" and "on" cancel each other out, I say, "Nah."

Grammarphobia blog, by Patricia T. O'Conner and Stewart Kellerman, in 2012 did a smashing job with the topic, noting "off" is used as an adverb to describe the action of completing something and "on" is a preposition meaning about.

"There are many examples of such apparently contradictory terms used in a legitimate way," their blog reads. "A speaker may go 'off on' a tangent, a ballplayer go 'out in' a blaze of glory, and a soggy person come 'in out' of the rain."

Continue on

Al Neukuckatz of Buffalo Grove, whose name I've checked no fewer than six times, has two things on his mind:

"Hi, Jim. Pet peeve: People who say 'continue on.' Isn't this redundant? I think people are confusing it with 'move on.' Is it correct to say, 'I would have liked to have seen him.'? This seems so awkward, and yet it seems everyone struggles with this. Would you recommend changing it around to read, 'I wish I could have seen him.'?

Al is right, of course. "Continue on" is redundant.

No wonder "on" is the 14th-most common word in the English language.

As for Al's other peeve, my guidance is pick one "have" and be done with it.

Either "I would have liked to see him" or "I would like to have seen him."

What's the difference?

Think of it this way: "I would have liked to see him" puts the focus on the past. At that time, it sure would have been great to see him.

"I would like to have seen him" puts the focus on your current feelings about the situation.

Write carefully!

• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald. Write him at jbaumann@dailyherald.com. Put Grammar Moses in the subject line.