This familiar cliché introducing speakers and performing acts has nothing to do with saying adieu (goodbye) to them. It means “without further blather, fuss, or to-do.” The last word is “ado.”
Monday, December 31, 2012
without further adieu/without further ado: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, December 31, 2012
without further adieu/without further ado
This familiar cliché introducing speakers and performing acts has nothing to do with saying adieu (goodbye) to them. It means “without further blather, fuss, or to-do.” The last word is “ado.”
This familiar cliché introducing speakers and performing acts has nothing to do with saying adieu (goodbye) to them. It means “without further blather, fuss, or to-do.” The last word is “ado.”
Sunday, December 30, 2012
curve your appetite/curb your appetite: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, December 30, 2012
curve your appetite/curb your appetite
A “curb” was originally a device used to control an unruly horse. Already in the 18th century people were speaking by analogy of controlling their appetites as “curbing” them. You do not “curve” your hunger, appetite, desires, etc. You curb them.
A “curb” was originally a device used to control an unruly horse. Already in the 18th century people were speaking by analogy of controlling their appetites as “curbing” them. You do not “curve” your hunger, appetite, desires, etc. You curb them.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
adverse/averse: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, December 29, 2012
adverse/averse
The word “adverse” turns up most frequently in the phrase “adverse circumstances,” meaning difficult circumstances, circumstances which act as an adversary; but people often confuse this word with “averse,” a much rarer word, meaning having a strong feeling against, or aversion toward.
The word “adverse” turns up most frequently in the phrase “adverse circumstances,” meaning difficult circumstances, circumstances which act as an adversary; but people often confuse this word with “averse,” a much rarer word, meaning having a strong feeling against, or aversion toward.
Friday, December 28, 2012
beaurocracy/bureaucracy: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, December 28, 2012
beaurocracy/bureaucracy
The French bureaucrats from whom we get this word worked at their bureaus (desks, spelled bureaux in French) in what came to be known as bureaucracies.
The French bureaucrats from whom we get this word worked at their bureaus (desks, spelled bureaux in French) in what came to be known as bureaucracies.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
cue/queue: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, December 27, 2012
cue/queue
“Cue” has a variety of meanings, but all uses of “queue” relate to its original French meaning of “tail,” which becomes a metaphor for a line (beware, however: in French queue is also rude slang for the male sex organ). Although a few dictionaries accept “cue” as an alternative spelling for the braided tail some people make of their hair or a waiting line, traditionally both are queues: “Sun Yat Sen ordered that all Chinese men should cut off their queues,” “I have over 300 movies in my Netflix queue.”
“Cue” has a variety of meanings, but all uses of “queue” relate to its original French meaning of “tail,” which becomes a metaphor for a line (beware, however: in French queue is also rude slang for the male sex organ). Although a few dictionaries accept “cue” as an alternative spelling for the braided tail some people make of their hair or a waiting line, traditionally both are queues: “Sun Yat Sen ordered that all Chinese men should cut off their queues,” “I have over 300 movies in my Netflix queue.”
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Check/Czech: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Check/Czech
Pronounce the name of the country which broke away from the former Czechoslovakia to form the Czech Republic as “check,” but don’t spell it that way. Its citizens are Czechs.
Pronounce the name of the country which broke away from the former Czechoslovakia to form the Czech Republic as “check,” but don’t spell it that way. Its citizens are Czechs.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
every (plural vs. singular): Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, December 25, 2012
every (plural vs. singular)
“Every,” “everybody,” “everyone,” and related expressions are normally treated as singular in American English: “Every woman I ask out tells me she already has plans for Saturday night.” However, constructions like “everyone brought their own lunch” are widely accepted now because of a desire to avoid specifying “his” or “her.”
“Every,” “everybody,” “everyone,” and related expressions are normally treated as singular in American English: “Every woman I ask out tells me she already has plans for Saturday night.” However, constructions like “everyone brought their own lunch” are widely accepted now because of a desire to avoid specifying “his” or “her.”
Monday, December 24, 2012
anxious/eager: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, December 24, 2012
anxious/eager
Most people use “anxious” interchangeably with “eager,” but its original meaning had to do with worrying, being full of anxiety. Perfectly correct phrases like “anxious to please” obscure the nervous tension implicit in this word and lead people to say less correct things like, “I’m anxious for Christmas morning to come so I can open my presents.” Traditionalists frown on anxiety-free anxiousness. Say instead you are eager for or looking forward to a happy event.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
epic/epoch: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, December 23, 2012
epic/epoch
An “epoch” is a long period of time, like the Pleistocene Epoch. It often gets mixed up with “epic” in the sense of “large-scale.” Something really big has “epic proportions,” not “epoch proportions.”
An “epoch” is a long period of time, like the Pleistocene Epoch. It often gets mixed up with “epic” in the sense of “large-scale.” Something really big has “epic proportions,” not “epoch proportions.”
Saturday, December 22, 2012
in sink/in synch: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, December 22, 2012
in sink/in synch
“In synch” is short for “in synchronization” and has nothing to do with sinking.
“In synch” is short for “in synchronization” and has nothing to do with sinking.
Friday, December 21, 2012
nuptual/nuptial: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, December 21, 2012
nuptual/nuptial
“Nuptial” is usually a pretentious substitute for “wedding,” but if you’re going to use it, be sure to spell it properly. For the noun, the plural form “nuptials” is more traditional.
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“Nuptial” is usually a pretentious substitute for “wedding,” but if you’re going to use it, be sure to spell it properly. For the noun, the plural form “nuptials” is more traditional.
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Thursday, December 20, 2012
per/according to: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, December 20, 2012
per/according to
Using “per” to mean “according to,” as in “ship the widgets as per the instructions of the customer,” is rather old-fashioned business jargon and is not welcome in other contexts. “Per” is fine when used in phrases involving figures like “miles per gallon.”
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Using “per” to mean “according to,” as in “ship the widgets as per the instructions of the customer,” is rather old-fashioned business jargon and is not welcome in other contexts. “Per” is fine when used in phrases involving figures like “miles per gallon.”
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012
infact/in fact: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, December 19, 2012
infact/in fact
“In fact” is always two words.
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“In fact” is always two words.
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
biweekly/semiweekly: [SHIPPING UPGRADE OFFER INCLUDED] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, December 18, 2012
biweekly/semiweekly
Technically, a biweekly meeting occurs every two weeks and a semiweekly one occurs twice a week; but so few people get this straight that your club is liable to disintegrate unless you avoid these words in the newsletter and stick with “every other week” or “twice weekly.” The same is true of “bimonthly” and “semimonthly,” though “biennial” and “semiannual” are less often confused with each other.
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Technically, a biweekly meeting occurs every two weeks and a semiweekly one occurs twice a week; but so few people get this straight that your club is liable to disintegrate unless you avoid these words in the newsletter and stick with “every other week” or “twice weekly.” The same is true of “bimonthly” and “semimonthly,” though “biennial” and “semiannual” are less often confused with each other.
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Monday, December 17, 2012
e.g./i.e.: [SHIPPING UPGRADE OFFER INCLUDED] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, December 17, 2012
e.g./i.e.
When you mean “for example,” use “e.g.” It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia. When you mean “that is,” use “i.e.” It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est. Either can be used to clarify a preceding statement; the first by example, the second by restating the idea more clearly or expanding upon it. Because these uses are so similar, the two abbreviations are easily confused. If you just stick with good old English “for example” and “that is” you won’t give anyone a chance to sneer at you. If you insist on using the abbreviation, perhaps “example given” will remind you to use “e.g.,” while “in effect” suggests “i.e.”
Since “e.g.” indicates a partial list, it is redundant to add “etc.” at the end of a list introduced by this abbreviation.
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When you mean “for example,” use “e.g.” It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia. When you mean “that is,” use “i.e.” It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est. Either can be used to clarify a preceding statement; the first by example, the second by restating the idea more clearly or expanding upon it. Because these uses are so similar, the two abbreviations are easily confused. If you just stick with good old English “for example” and “that is” you won’t give anyone a chance to sneer at you. If you insist on using the abbreviation, perhaps “example given” will remind you to use “e.g.,” while “in effect” suggests “i.e.”
Since “e.g.” indicates a partial list, it is redundant to add “etc.” at the end of a list introduced by this abbreviation.
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Sunday, December 16, 2012
dialate/dilate: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, December 16, 2012
dialate/dilate
The influence of “dial” causes many people to mispronounce and misspell “dilate” by adding an extra syllable.
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The influence of “dial” causes many people to mispronounce and misspell “dilate” by adding an extra syllable.
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Saturday, December 15, 2012
hangar/hanger: [DEAL ENDS TODAY] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, December 15, 2012
hangar/hanger
You park your plane in a hangar but hang up your slacks on a hanger.
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You park your plane in a hangar but hang up your slacks on a hanger.
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Friday, December 14, 2012
late/former: [FINAL DAYS OF DEAL—SEE BELOW] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, December 14, 2012
late/former
If you want to refer to your former husband, don’t call him your “late husband” unless he’s dead.
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If you want to refer to your former husband, don’t call him your “late husband” unless he’s dead.
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Thursday, December 13, 2012
gray/grey: [FINAL DAYS OF DEAL—SEE BELOW] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, December 13, 2012
gray/grey
“Gray” is the American spelling, “grey” the British spelling of this color/colour. When it’s part of a British name—like Tarzan’s title, “Lord Greystoke”—or part of a place name—like “Greyfriars”—it should retain its original spelling even if an American is doing the writing.
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“Gray” is the American spelling, “grey” the British spelling of this color/colour. When it’s part of a British name—like Tarzan’s title, “Lord Greystoke”—or part of a place name—like “Greyfriars”—it should retain its original spelling even if an American is doing the writing.
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
preferably: [FINAL DAYS OF DEAL—SEE BELOW] Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, December 12, 2012
preferably
Although some US dictionaries now recognize the pronunciation of “preferably” with the first two syllables pronounced just like “prefer”—first E long and the stress on the second syllable—the standard pronunciation is “PREFFerublee,” with the first syllable stressed, just like in “preference.” The alternative pronunciation sounds awkward to some people.
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Although some US dictionaries now recognize the pronunciation of “preferably” with the first two syllables pronounced just like “prefer”—first E long and the stress on the second syllable—the standard pronunciation is “PREFFerublee,” with the first syllable stressed, just like in “preference.” The alternative pronunciation sounds awkward to some people.
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
hanging indents: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, December 11, 2012
hanging indents
Bibliographies are normally written using hanging indents, where the first line extends out to the left-hand margin, but the rest of the entry is indented:
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Bibliographies are normally written using hanging indents, where the first line extends out to the left-hand margin, but the rest of the entry is indented:
Hoffman, Andrew Jay. Inventing Mark Twain: The Lives ofThese are extremely easy to create on a word processor, but many people have never mastered the technique. Normally the left-hand margin marker at the top of the page consists of two small arrows. Drag the top one to the right to make a normal indent, the bottom one to create a hanging indent. In most programs, you have to hold down the Shift key while dragging the bottom marker to leave the top part behind. Don’t get into the habit of substituting a carriage return and a tab or spaces to create hanging indents because when your work is transferred to a different computer the result may look quite different—and wrong.
Samuel Langhorne. New York: William Morrow, 1997.
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Monday, December 10, 2012
perpetuate/perpetrate: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, December 10, 2012
perpetuate/perpetrate
“Perpetrate” is something criminals do (criminals are sometimes called “perps” in slang). When you seek to continue something you are trying to “perpetuate” it.
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“Perpetrate” is something criminals do (criminals are sometimes called “perps” in slang). When you seek to continue something you are trying to “perpetuate” it.
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Sunday, December 9, 2012
foul/fowl: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, December 9, 2012
foul/fowl
A chicken is a fowl. A poke in the eye is a foul.
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A chicken is a fowl. A poke in the eye is a foul.
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Saturday, December 8, 2012
Indian/Native American: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, December 8, 2012
Indian/Native American
Although academics have long promoted “Native American” as a more accurate label than “Indian,” most of the people so labeled continue to refer to themselves as “Indians” and prefer that term. In Canada, there is a move to refer to descendants of the original inhabitants as “First Nations” or “First Peoples,” but so far that has not spread to the US.
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Although academics have long promoted “Native American” as a more accurate label than “Indian,” most of the people so labeled continue to refer to themselves as “Indians” and prefer that term. In Canada, there is a move to refer to descendants of the original inhabitants as “First Nations” or “First Peoples,” but so far that has not spread to the US.
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Friday, December 7, 2012
intend on/intend to: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, December 7, 2012
intend on/intend to
You can plan on doing something, but you intend to do it. Many people confuse these two expressions with each other and mistakenly say “intend on.” Of course if you are really determined, you can be intent on doing something.
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You can plan on doing something, but you intend to do it. Many people confuse these two expressions with each other and mistakenly say “intend on.” Of course if you are really determined, you can be intent on doing something.
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
caring: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, December 6, 2012
caring
Most people are comfortable referring to “caring parents,” but speaking of a “caring environment” is jargon, not acceptable in formal English. The environment may contain caring people, but it does not itself do the caring.
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Most people are comfortable referring to “caring parents,” but speaking of a “caring environment” is jargon, not acceptable in formal English. The environment may contain caring people, but it does not itself do the caring.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
flesh out/flush out: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, December 5, 2012
flesh out/flush out
To “flesh out” an idea is to give it substance, as a sculptor adds clay flesh to a skeletal armature. To “flush out” a criminal is to drive him or her out into the open. The latter term is derived from bird-hunting, in which one flushes out a covey of quail. If you are trying to develop something further, use “flesh”; but if you are trying to reveal something hitherto concealed, use “flush.”
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To “flesh out” an idea is to give it substance, as a sculptor adds clay flesh to a skeletal armature. To “flush out” a criminal is to drive him or her out into the open. The latter term is derived from bird-hunting, in which one flushes out a covey of quail. If you are trying to develop something further, use “flesh”; but if you are trying to reveal something hitherto concealed, use “flush.”
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Tuesday, December 4, 2012
often: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, December 4, 2012
often
People striving for sophistication often pronounce the T in this word, but true sophisticates know that the masses are correct in saying “offen.”
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People striving for sophistication often pronounce the T in this word, but true sophisticates know that the masses are correct in saying “offen.”
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Monday, December 3, 2012
Internet/intranet: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, December 3, 2012
Internet/intranet
“Internet” is the proper name of the network most people connect to, and the word needs to be capitalized. However “intranet,” a network confined to a smaller group, is a generic term that does not deserve capitalization. In advertising, we often read things like “unlimited Internet, $35.” It would be more accurate to refer in this sort of context to “Internet access.”
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“Internet” is the proper name of the network most people connect to, and the word needs to be capitalized. However “intranet,” a network confined to a smaller group, is a generic term that does not deserve capitalization. In advertising, we often read things like “unlimited Internet, $35.” It would be more accurate to refer in this sort of context to “Internet access.”
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Sunday, December 2, 2012
down the pipe/down the pike: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, December 2, 2012
down the pipe/down the pike
People in the northeastern US know that a pike is a highway, but others who don’t understand the term mistakenly substitute the seemingly logical “pipe.”
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Like the daily calendar? For a limited time, we are offering the book in print for just $10 (and free shipping within the USA). Click here to order the book, then enter the coupon code COMMONERRORSDEAL when you check out. Want more discounts? Order other William, James & Company books using the coupon code WILLIAMJAMESDEAL for 15% off our other books. Only one coupon per order. Offer ends December 15, 2012.
People in the northeastern US know that a pike is a highway, but others who don’t understand the term mistakenly substitute the seemingly logical “pipe.”
_______________
Like the daily calendar? For a limited time, we are offering the book in print for just $10 (and free shipping within the USA). Click here to order the book, then enter the coupon code COMMONERRORSDEAL when you check out. Want more discounts? Order other William, James & Company books using the coupon code WILLIAMJAMESDEAL for 15% off our other books. Only one coupon per order. Offer ends December 15, 2012.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
academia: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, December 1, 2012
academia
Although some academics are undoubtedly nuts, the usual English-language pronunciation of “academia” does not rhyme with “macadamia.” The third syllable is pronounced “deem.” Just say “academe” and add “ee-yuh.”
However, there’s an interesting possibility if you go with “ack-uh-DAME-ee-yuh”: although some people will sneer at your lack of sophistication, others will assume you’re using the Latin pronunciation and being learned.
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Like the daily calendar? For a limited time, we are offering the book in print for just $10 (and free shipping within the USA). Click here to order the book, then enter the coupon code COMMONERRORSDEAL when you check out. Want more discounts? Order other William, James & Company books using the coupon code WILLIAMJAMESDEAL for 15% off our other books. Only one coupon per order. Offer ends December 15, 2012.
Although some academics are undoubtedly nuts, the usual English-language pronunciation of “academia” does not rhyme with “macadamia.” The third syllable is pronounced “deem.” Just say “academe” and add “ee-yuh.”
However, there’s an interesting possibility if you go with “ack-uh-DAME-ee-yuh”: although some people will sneer at your lack of sophistication, others will assume you’re using the Latin pronunciation and being learned.
_______________
Like the daily calendar? For a limited time, we are offering the book in print for just $10 (and free shipping within the USA). Click here to order the book, then enter the coupon code COMMONERRORSDEAL when you check out. Want more discounts? Order other William, James & Company books using the coupon code WILLIAMJAMESDEAL for 15% off our other books. Only one coupon per order. Offer ends December 15, 2012.
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