Some grammar questions

Published May 17, 2010

I can’t find simple answers to these questions in the CMS or via web pages.

Here they are:

— would vs will
Let’s say you’re discussing a plans for a party or a law that may or may not actualize but you’re describing what they will entail.
Would you say “the party would” or “the law would incriminate people who blah blah blah”
instead of “the party will” or “the law will”?

I’ve noticed in some newspapers the use of “will” even about laws and ordinances that are being proposed or voted on.

–,which is.., or not?
I notice “which is” is occasionally omitted in writing.
For example, “She was referred to Teen Court, [which is] an early intervention program of the Visalia Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.”

When is it ok to omit the “which is” ? Is there a rule here?

— When do you say “said that” or merely “said” when using attribution at the beginning of a sentence?

— Why is “had” needed in the following sentence from an Times article?

“Federal authorities said Tuesday that they “had” cracked
the largest case of identity theft in U.S. history,…”
And is the “has” needed in the following sentence from another times article:
“DSW also “has” sent notification letters to affected
customers whenever possible…”

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Some grammar questions

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