In his RNC acceptance speech, John McCain said he likes to “bend a few rules,” and that proved true, grammatically speaking.

“A lot of prisoners had it worse than I did,” he said. “I’d been mistreated before, but not as badly as others.”

When we make comparisons, we choose between as…as and so…as. The correct choice depends on whether a positive or negative comparison is being made. When comparing two things to show that they are equal or equivalent, use as…as. For example, Hillary Clinton is about as wealthy as John McCain.

When comparing two things to show that they are unequal or not equivalent, use so…as. Barack Obama is not so wealthy as John McCain. And John McCain is not so stinking rich as Mitt Romney.

In his RNC acceptance speech, McCain should’ve said, “I’d been mistreated before, but not so badly as others.”

He also made a couple of poor word choices in St. Paul.

“Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country-second Washington crowd: Change is coming,” he said.

The phrase “advance warning” is redundant. A warning, by definition, gives advance notice.

Here’s another mis-speak. He said, “Today, the prospect of a better world remains within our reach.”

A prospect is potential, an expectation. The prospect of a better world already exists; it is well within our reach. The reality of it is what we’re striving to grasp. McCain should’ve simply said, “Today, a better world remains within our reach.”

After enlisting in the Grammar Guard, proper language will be within this war hero’s reach.

QUICK HITS

* Cindy McCain’s RNC speech contained several plural-singular conflicts. Once she said, “From its very birth, our party has been grounded in the notion of service, community, self-reliance…” That’s three notions, not one. Next, she said, “A helping hand and friendly support has always been our way.” Two subjects, hand and support, call for the plural verb have.

* In her acceptance speech, Gov. Sarah Palin said, “We tend to prefer candidates who don’t talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.” A much clearer syntax is possible: “We tend to dislike candidates who talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.”

* At a Minneapolis book signing, Meghan McCain said, “I’m lucky enough to have gotten published.” A graceful author would’ve said, “I’m lucky enough to have been published.” One word can make such a difference!

* Jamaican hurdler Adrian Findley denied using steroids, telling Sports Illustrated, “I’ve been running stable all my life.” Stable is an adjective, which describes him as a runner, one who isn’t wobbly. Stably is an adverb, which suggests he has been running at a consistent pace his entire life. (Imagine a two-year-old running at an Olympic pace!)