light-year
“Light-year” is always a measure of distance rather than of time; in fact it is the distance that light travels in a year. “Parsec” is also a measure of distance, equaling 3.26 light-years, though the term was used incorrectly as a measure of time by Han Solo in Star Wars.
Please, Star Wars fans, don’t bother sending me elaborate explanations of why Solo’s speech makes sense; I personally heard George Lucas admit in a TV interview that it was just a mistake.
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Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
lense/lens: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, November 29, 2012
lense/lens
Although the variant spelling “lense” is listed in some dictionaries, the standard spelling for those little disks that focus light is “lens.”
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Although the variant spelling “lense” is listed in some dictionaries, the standard spelling for those little disks that focus light is “lens.”
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Wednesday, November 28, 2012
laxidaisical/lackadaisical: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, November 28, 2012
laxidaisical/lackadaisical
“Alack!” originally meant something like “Alas!” It bore connotations of dissatisfaction or shame. “Alack the day!” meant at first “may the day be shamed in which this awful thing has happened.” Later, it came to be abbreviated “lack-a-day” and used to express mere surprise.
The expression was gradually weakened, shifting from expressions of anguish to resigned despair, to languid indifference. The end result is the modern form “lackadaisical,” which conveys a lack of enthusiasm—a casual, perfunctory way of doing things.
This final meaning suggests “laxness” to some people who then misspell the word “laxadaisical,” but this is nonstandard.
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“Alack!” originally meant something like “Alas!” It bore connotations of dissatisfaction or shame. “Alack the day!” meant at first “may the day be shamed in which this awful thing has happened.” Later, it came to be abbreviated “lack-a-day” and used to express mere surprise.
The expression was gradually weakened, shifting from expressions of anguish to resigned despair, to languid indifference. The end result is the modern form “lackadaisical,” which conveys a lack of enthusiasm—a casual, perfunctory way of doing things.
This final meaning suggests “laxness” to some people who then misspell the word “laxadaisical,” but this is nonstandard.
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Tuesday, November 27, 2012
silicon/silicone: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, November 27, 2012
silicon/silicone
Silicon is a chemical element, the basic stuff of which microchips are made. Silicones are plastics and other materials containing silicon, the most commonly discussed example being silicone breast implants. Less used by the general public is “silica”: an oxide of silicon.
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Silicon is a chemical element, the basic stuff of which microchips are made. Silicones are plastics and other materials containing silicon, the most commonly discussed example being silicone breast implants. Less used by the general public is “silica”: an oxide of silicon.
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Monday, November 26, 2012
if not: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, November 26, 2012
if not
“He was smart if not exactly brilliant.” In this sort of expression, “if not” links a weaker with a stronger word with a related meaning. Other examples: “unattractive if not downright ugly,” “reasonably priced if not exactly cheap,” “interested if not actually excited.”
But this sort of “if not” is often misused to link words that don’t form a weaker/stronger pair: “obscure if not boring,” “happy if not entertained,” “anxious if not afraid.” The linked terms in these examples do have some logical relationship, but they do not form a weaker/stronger pair.
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“He was smart if not exactly brilliant.” In this sort of expression, “if not” links a weaker with a stronger word with a related meaning. Other examples: “unattractive if not downright ugly,” “reasonably priced if not exactly cheap,” “interested if not actually excited.”
But this sort of “if not” is often misused to link words that don’t form a weaker/stronger pair: “obscure if not boring,” “happy if not entertained,” “anxious if not afraid.” The linked terms in these examples do have some logical relationship, but they do not form a weaker/stronger pair.
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Sunday, November 25, 2012
lightening/lightning: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, November 25, 2012
lightening/lightning
Those bright flashes in the storm clouds indeed used to be referred to as “lightening,” later as “light’ning,” but now they are simply “lightning.”
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Those bright flashes in the storm clouds indeed used to be referred to as “lightening,” later as “light’ning,” but now they are simply “lightning.”
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Saturday, November 24, 2012
protray/portray: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, November 24, 2012
protray/portray
There are a lot of words in English that begin in “pro-.” This is not one of them. When you make a portrait, you portray someone.
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There are a lot of words in English that begin in “pro-.” This is not one of them. When you make a portrait, you portray someone.
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Friday, November 23, 2012
whole-hardily/wholeheartedly: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, November 23, 2012
whole-hardily/wholeheartedly
If you want to convey your hearty congratulations to someone, you do so not “whole-hardily” but “wholeheartedly”—with your whole heart.
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If you want to convey your hearty congratulations to someone, you do so not “whole-hardily” but “wholeheartedly”—with your whole heart.
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Thursday, November 22, 2012
vitae/vita: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, November 22, 2012
vitae/vita
Unless you are going to claim credit for accomplishments you had in previous incarnations, you should refer to your “vita,” not your “vitae.” All kidding aside, the AE in vitae supposedly indicates the genitive rather than the plural (that is, vitae in this case works like a possessive form to modify “curriculum”), but the derivation of vita from curriculum vitae is purely speculative (see the Oxford English Dictionary), and vitae on its own makes no sense grammatically.
Résumé, by the way, is a French word with both E’s accented. It literally means “summary.” In English one often sees it without the accents or with only the second accent, neither of which is a serious error. But if you’re trying to show how multilingual you are, remember the first accent.
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Unless you are going to claim credit for accomplishments you had in previous incarnations, you should refer to your “vita,” not your “vitae.” All kidding aside, the AE in vitae supposedly indicates the genitive rather than the plural (that is, vitae in this case works like a possessive form to modify “curriculum”), but the derivation of vita from curriculum vitae is purely speculative (see the Oxford English Dictionary), and vitae on its own makes no sense grammatically.
Résumé, by the way, is a French word with both E’s accented. It literally means “summary.” In English one often sees it without the accents or with only the second accent, neither of which is a serious error. But if you’re trying to show how multilingual you are, remember the first accent.
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Wednesday, November 21, 2012
these ones/these: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, November 21, 2012
these ones/these
By itself, there’s nothing wrong with the word “ones” as a plural: “surrounded by her loved ones.” However, “this one” should not be pluralized to “these ones.” Just say “these.” The same pattern applies to “those.”
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By itself, there’s nothing wrong with the word “ones” as a plural: “surrounded by her loved ones.” However, “this one” should not be pluralized to “these ones.” Just say “these.” The same pattern applies to “those.”
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Of skin, noses, and teeth: Paul Brians' latest blog post sorts it all out.
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012
nevermind/never mind: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, November 20, 2012 [coupon codes included]
nevermind/never mind
The standard spelling of this phrase is as two words: never mind. The popularity of the alternative one-word form “nevermind” was certainly enhanced by its use in 1991 as the title of a bestselling Nirvana album. “Nevermind” can look immature or slangy to some readers. You can still be cool by imitating the vocabulary choice in the title of another famous album: Never Mind the Bollocks: Here’s the Sex Pistols.
In expressions like “pay him no nevermind” where the word means “attention” it’s always one word, but those expressions are both slangy and old-fashioned.
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The standard spelling of this phrase is as two words: never mind. The popularity of the alternative one-word form “nevermind” was certainly enhanced by its use in 1991 as the title of a bestselling Nirvana album. “Nevermind” can look immature or slangy to some readers. You can still be cool by imitating the vocabulary choice in the title of another famous album: Never Mind the Bollocks: Here’s the Sex Pistols.
In expressions like “pay him no nevermind” where the word means “attention” it’s always one word, but those expressions are both slangy and old-fashioned.
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Monday, November 19, 2012
quote: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, November 19, 2012 [coupon codes included]
quote
A passage doesn’t become a quote (or—better—“quotation”) until you’ve quoted it. The only time to refer to a “quote” is when you are referring to someone quoting something. When referring to the original words, simply call it a “passage.”
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A passage doesn’t become a quote (or—better—“quotation”) until you’ve quoted it. The only time to refer to a “quote” is when you are referring to someone quoting something. When referring to the original words, simply call it a “passage.”
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Sunday, November 18, 2012
sergeant of arms/sergeant at arms: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, November 18, 2012 [coupon codes included]
sergeant of arms/sergeant at arms
The officer charged with maintaining order in a meeting is the “sergeant at arms,” not “of arms.”
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The officer charged with maintaining order in a meeting is the “sergeant at arms,” not “of arms.”
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Saturday, November 17, 2012
howsomever/however: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, November 17, 2012 [coupon codes included]
howsomever/however
“Howsomever” is a dialectical substitute for “however,” to be avoided in formal English.
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“Howsomever” is a dialectical substitute for “however,” to be avoided in formal English.
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Friday, November 16, 2012
plus/add: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, November 16, 2012 [Coupon codes included]
plus/add
Some people continue a pattern picked up in childhood of using “plus” as a verb to mean “add,” as in “You plus the 3 and the 4 and you get 7.” “Plus” is not a verb; use “add” instead.
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Some people continue a pattern picked up in childhood of using “plus” as a verb to mean “add,” as in “You plus the 3 and the 4 and you get 7.” “Plus” is not a verb; use “add” instead.
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Thursday, November 15, 2012
Mount Fujiyama/Fujiyama: [Coupon codes included] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, November 15, 2012
Mount Fujiyama/Fujiyama
Yama means “mountain” in Japanese, so when you say “Mount Fujiyama” you are saying “Mount Fuji Mountain.” The Japanese usually say Fuji-san, but “Fujiyama” or “Mount Fuji” is standard in English—just be aware that both sound “foreign” to Japanese native speakers.
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Yama means “mountain” in Japanese, so when you say “Mount Fujiyama” you are saying “Mount Fuji Mountain.” The Japanese usually say Fuji-san, but “Fujiyama” or “Mount Fuji” is standard in English—just be aware that both sound “foreign” to Japanese native speakers.
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Wednesday, November 14, 2012
presently/currently: [Coupon codes included] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, November 14, 2012
presently/currently
Some argue that “presently” doesn’t mean “in the present.” It means “soon.” If you want to talk about something that’s happening right now, they urge you to say it’s going on “currently.”
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Some argue that “presently” doesn’t mean “in the present.” It means “soon.” If you want to talk about something that’s happening right now, they urge you to say it’s going on “currently.”
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Paul Brians' most recent blog posts are the two best, bar none.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
of ___’s: [Coupon codes included] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, November 13, 2012
of ___’s
Phrases combining “of” with a noun followed by S may seem redundant, since both indicate possession; nevertheless, “a friend of Karen’s” is standard English, just as “a friend of Karen” and “Karen’s friend” are.
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Phrases combining “of” with a noun followed by S may seem redundant, since both indicate possession; nevertheless, “a friend of Karen’s” is standard English, just as “a friend of Karen” and “Karen’s friend” are.
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Monday, November 12, 2012
Hindi/Hindu: [Coupon codes included] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, November 12, 2012
Hindi/Hindu
Hindi is a language. Hinduism is a religion, and its believers are called “Hindus.” Not all Hindus speak Hindi, and many Hindi-speakers are not Hindus.
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Hindi is a language. Hinduism is a religion, and its believers are called “Hindus.” Not all Hindus speak Hindi, and many Hindi-speakers are not Hindus.
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
larnyx/larynx: [Coupon codes included] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, November 11, 2012
larnyx/larynx
“Larynx” is often mispronounced and sometimes misspelled “larnyx.”
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“Larynx” is often mispronounced and sometimes misspelled “larnyx.”
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Saturday, November 10, 2012
instances/instants: [Coupon codes included] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, November 10, 2012
instances/instants
Brief moments are “instants,” and examples of anything are “instances.”
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Brief moments are “instants,” and examples of anything are “instances.”
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Friday, November 9, 2012
rob/steal: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, November 9, 2012
rob/steal
When you rob a bank, you steal its money. You can’t rob the money itself. The stuff taken in a robbery is always “stolen,” not “robbed.”
When you rob a bank, you steal its money. You can’t rob the money itself. The stuff taken in a robbery is always “stolen,” not “robbed.”
Thursday, November 8, 2012
exhileration/exhilaration: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, November 8, 2012
exhileration/exhilaration
“Exhilaration” is closely related to “hilarious,” whose strongly accented A should help remind you of the correct spelling.
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“Exhilaration” is closely related to “hilarious,” whose strongly accented A should help remind you of the correct spelling.
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Wednesday, November 7, 2012
spiritualism/spirituality: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, November 7, 2012
spiritualism/spirituality
The most common meaning of “spiritualism” is belief in the possibility of communication with the spirits of the dead.
A better term for other religious beliefs and activities is “spirituality,” as in “I’m going to the ashram to explore my spirituality.”
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The most common meaning of “spiritualism” is belief in the possibility of communication with the spirits of the dead.
A better term for other religious beliefs and activities is “spirituality,” as in “I’m going to the ashram to explore my spirituality.”
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Tuesday, November 6, 2012
pole/poll: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, November 6, 2012
pole/poll
A “pole” is a long stick. You could take a “poll” (survey or ballot) to determine whether voters want lower taxes or better education.
_____________________
Like the daily calendar? Buy the book in print or for Kindle (note to Kindle users: the Kindle edition has been completely reworked with internal links and clickable table of contents.)
A “pole” is a long stick. You could take a “poll” (survey or ballot) to determine whether voters want lower taxes or better education.
_____________________
Like the daily calendar? Buy the book in print or for Kindle (note to Kindle users: the Kindle edition has been completely reworked with internal links and clickable table of contents.)
Monday, November 5, 2012
marshmellow/marshmallow: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, November 5, 2012
marshmellow/marshmallow
Your s’mores may taste mellow, but that gooey confection you use in them is not “marshmellow,” but “marshmallow.” It was originally made from the root of a mallow plant which grew in marshes.
Your s’mores may taste mellow, but that gooey confection you use in them is not “marshmellow,” but “marshmallow.” It was originally made from the root of a mallow plant which grew in marshes.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
muchly/much: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, November 4, 2012
muchly/much
Drop the nonstandard “-ly” ending from “much,” or substitute the word “very” when appropriate.
Drop the nonstandard “-ly” ending from “much,” or substitute the word “very” when appropriate.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
able to: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, November 3, 2012
able to
People are able to do things, but things are not able to be done: you should not say, “the budget shortfall was able to be solved by selling brownies.”
People are able to do things, but things are not able to be done: you should not say, “the budget shortfall was able to be solved by selling brownies.”
Friday, November 2, 2012
random: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, November 2, 2012
random
Kyle can choose the shirt he’ll wear for the day at random—they’re all orange. This sort of use of “at random” to mean “by chance,” is perfectly standard. (Kyle should get some new shirts, though.)
Less widely accepted are a couple of slangy uses of the word, mostly by young people. In the first, “random” means “unknown,” “unidentified” as in “some random guy told me at the party that I reminded him of his old girlfriend.”
The other is to use random to mean “weird,” “strange,” as in “The party at Jessica’s was so random, not what I was expecting at all!” Evidently in this expression randomness is being narrowed down to unlikelihood and that is in turn being connected with strangeness, though randomness in real life is usually quite ordinary and boring.
Use of either of these two expressions in formal speech or writing is likely to annoy or confuse your audience.
Kyle can choose the shirt he’ll wear for the day at random—they’re all orange. This sort of use of “at random” to mean “by chance,” is perfectly standard. (Kyle should get some new shirts, though.)
Less widely accepted are a couple of slangy uses of the word, mostly by young people. In the first, “random” means “unknown,” “unidentified” as in “some random guy told me at the party that I reminded him of his old girlfriend.”
The other is to use random to mean “weird,” “strange,” as in “The party at Jessica’s was so random, not what I was expecting at all!” Evidently in this expression randomness is being narrowed down to unlikelihood and that is in turn being connected with strangeness, though randomness in real life is usually quite ordinary and boring.
Use of either of these two expressions in formal speech or writing is likely to annoy or confuse your audience.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
flounder/founder: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, November 1, 2012
flounder/founder
As a verb, “founder” means “to fill with water and sink.” It is also used metaphorically of various kinds of equally catastrophic failures. In contrast, to flounder is to thrash about in the water (like a flounder), struggling to stay alive. “Flounder” is also often used metaphorically to indicate various sorts of desperate struggle. If you’re sunk, you’ve foundered. If you’re still struggling, you’re floundering.
As a verb, “founder” means “to fill with water and sink.” It is also used metaphorically of various kinds of equally catastrophic failures. In contrast, to flounder is to thrash about in the water (like a flounder), struggling to stay alive. “Flounder” is also often used metaphorically to indicate various sorts of desperate struggle. If you’re sunk, you’ve foundered. If you’re still struggling, you’re floundering.
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