exasperate/exacerbate
People get exasperated (irritated); situations get exacerbated (made worse).
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
belief toward/belief in: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, March 30, 2013
belief toward/belief in
You may have a positive attitude toward an idea, but you have a belief in it.
You may have a positive attitude toward an idea, but you have a belief in it.
Friday, March 29, 2013
cliché/clichéd: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, March 29, 2013
cliché/clichéd
One often hears young people say, “That movie was so cliché!” “Cliché” is a noun, meaning an over-familiar phrase or image. A work containing clichés is clichéd.
One often hears young people say, “That movie was so cliché!” “Cliché” is a noun, meaning an over-familiar phrase or image. A work containing clichés is clichéd.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Rueben/Reuben: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 28, 2013
Rueben/Reuben
Diner owners who put “Rueben sandwiches” on their menus may rue the day they did so when they encounter a customer who cares about the correct spelling of this classic American concoction of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread. Although the origin of the sandwich is obscure, being credited to several different restaurateurs, all of them spelled their name “Reuben,” with the E before the U.
Diner owners who put “Rueben sandwiches” on their menus may rue the day they did so when they encounter a customer who cares about the correct spelling of this classic American concoction of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread. Although the origin of the sandwich is obscure, being credited to several different restaurateurs, all of them spelled their name “Reuben,” with the E before the U.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
defence/defense: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, March 27, 2013
defence/defense
If you are writing for a British publication, use “defence,” but the American “defense” has the advantages of greater antiquity, similarity to the words from which it was derived, and consistency with words like “defensible.”
If you are writing for a British publication, use “defence,” but the American “defense” has the advantages of greater antiquity, similarity to the words from which it was derived, and consistency with words like “defensible.”
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
drank/drunk: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 26, 2013
drank/drunk
Many verbs in English change form when their past tense is preceded by an auxiliary (“helping”) verb: “I ran, I have run.” The same is true of “drink.” Don’t say “I’ve drank the beer” unless you want people to think you are drunk. An even more common error is “I drunk all the milk.” It’s “I’ve drunk the beer” and “I drank all the milk.”
Many verbs in English change form when their past tense is preceded by an auxiliary (“helping”) verb: “I ran, I have run.” The same is true of “drink.” Don’t say “I’ve drank the beer” unless you want people to think you are drunk. An even more common error is “I drunk all the milk.” It’s “I’ve drunk the beer” and “I drank all the milk.”
Monday, March 25, 2013
bias/biased: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 25, 2013
bias/biased
A person who is influenced by a bias is biased. The expression is not “they’re bias,” but “they’re biased.” Also, many people say someone is “biased toward” something or someone when they mean biased against. To have a bias toward something is to be biased in its favor.
A person who is influenced by a bias is biased. The expression is not “they’re bias,” but “they’re biased.” Also, many people say someone is “biased toward” something or someone when they mean biased against. To have a bias toward something is to be biased in its favor.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
grievious/grievous: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, March 24, 2013
grievious/grievous
There are just two syllables in “grievous,” and it’s pronounced “grieve-us.”
There are just two syllables in “grievous,” and it’s pronounced “grieve-us.”
Saturday, March 23, 2013
doctorial/doctoral: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, March 23, 2013
doctorial/doctoral
“Doctoral” is occasionally misspelled—and often mispronounced—“doctorial.”
“Doctoral” is occasionally misspelled—and often mispronounced—“doctorial.”
Friday, March 22, 2013
couple/couple of: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, March 22, 2013
couple/couple of
Instead of “She went with a couple sleazy guys before she met me,” write “a couple of guys” if you are trying to sound a bit more formal. Leaving the “of” out is a casual, slangy pattern.
Instead of “She went with a couple sleazy guys before she met me,” write “a couple of guys” if you are trying to sound a bit more formal. Leaving the “of” out is a casual, slangy pattern.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
accessory: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 21, 2013
accessory
There’s an “ack” sound at the beginning of this word, though some mispronounce it as if the two C’s were to be sounded the same as the two SS’s.
____________
TODAY'S EXTRA TIDBIT: Having trouble with the use of apostrophes in this entry? Please see the entry on acronyms and apostrophes, and also this blog post.
There’s an “ack” sound at the beginning of this word, though some mispronounce it as if the two C’s were to be sounded the same as the two SS’s.
____________
TODAY'S EXTRA TIDBIT: Having trouble with the use of apostrophes in this entry? Please see the entry on acronyms and apostrophes, and also this blog post.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
capitalization: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, March 20, 2013
capitalization
Proper nouns (names of people and places: “Frederick,” “Paris”) and proper adjectives (“French,” “Biblical”) must be capitalized. Many people used to casual e-mail patterns have begun to omit capital letters throughout their writing, even at the beginning of sentences when writing in more formal contexts. Unless your correspondent is someone that you know prefers the all-lower-case approach, to be taken seriously you should take the trouble to hit that Shift key when necessary. Particularly watch out for this sloppy habit in writing timed examinations. A teacher who has devoted 20 years to the study of Chinese art flinches when she sees her cherished subject demoted to “chinese.”
Proper nouns (names of people and places: “Frederick,” “Paris”) and proper adjectives (“French,” “Biblical”) must be capitalized. Many people used to casual e-mail patterns have begun to omit capital letters throughout their writing, even at the beginning of sentences when writing in more formal contexts. Unless your correspondent is someone that you know prefers the all-lower-case approach, to be taken seriously you should take the trouble to hit that Shift key when necessary. Particularly watch out for this sloppy habit in writing timed examinations. A teacher who has devoted 20 years to the study of Chinese art flinches when she sees her cherished subject demoted to “chinese.”
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
dove/dived: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 19, 2013
dove/dived
Although “dove” is a common form of the past tense of “dive,” a few authorities consider “dived” preferable in formal writing.
Although “dove” is a common form of the past tense of “dive,” a few authorities consider “dived” preferable in formal writing.
Monday, March 18, 2013
opportunist: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 18, 2013
opportunist
When applied to people, the label “opportunist” usually has negative connotations. It implies that the people so labeled take unprincipled, unfair advantage of opportunities for selfish ends. Opportunistic people are often also regarded as exploitative. The term is often used to label unscrupulous politicians who seek to manipulate voters in their favor by exploiting certain issues or opportunities in an unethical way.
Sports commentators who call the skillful interceptor of a pass in football an “opportunist” are misusing the word.
If you want to praise people for taking legitimate and skilled advantage of opportunities that spring up, it is better to call them “enterprising” or “quick-witted.”
The specialized meaning of “opportunistic” in biology does not cause problems because the people who use the word in this sense know what it describes: the ability of a species to exploit a previously unexploited ecological niche.
When applied to people, the label “opportunist” usually has negative connotations. It implies that the people so labeled take unprincipled, unfair advantage of opportunities for selfish ends. Opportunistic people are often also regarded as exploitative. The term is often used to label unscrupulous politicians who seek to manipulate voters in their favor by exploiting certain issues or opportunities in an unethical way.
Sports commentators who call the skillful interceptor of a pass in football an “opportunist” are misusing the word.
If you want to praise people for taking legitimate and skilled advantage of opportunities that spring up, it is better to call them “enterprising” or “quick-witted.”
The specialized meaning of “opportunistic” in biology does not cause problems because the people who use the word in this sense know what it describes: the ability of a species to exploit a previously unexploited ecological niche.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
functionality: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, March 17, 2013
functionality
You’ll find “functionality” in dictionaries, but it’s almost always used as a pretentious and inaccurate substitute for “function” or ”usefulness.”
You’ll find “functionality” in dictionaries, but it’s almost always used as a pretentious and inaccurate substitute for “function” or ”usefulness.”
Saturday, March 16, 2013
make due/make do: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, March 16, 2013
make due/make do
When you try to get by with what you have, you make do.
When you try to get by with what you have, you make do.
Friday, March 15, 2013
for/fore/four: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, March 15, 2013
for/fore/four
The most common member of this trio is the preposition “for,” which is not a problem for most people. “Fore” always has to do with the front of something (it’s what you shout to warn people when you’ve sent a golf ball their way). “Four” is just the number “4.”
The most common member of this trio is the preposition “for,” which is not a problem for most people. “Fore” always has to do with the front of something (it’s what you shout to warn people when you’ve sent a golf ball their way). “Four” is just the number “4.”
Thursday, March 14, 2013
caddy-corner/catty-corner, cater-corner, kitty-corner: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 14, 2013
caddy-corner/catty-corner, cater-corner, kitty-corner
This expression, meaning “diagonally opposite,” was formed from a misspelling in English of the French word quatre (“four”) prefixed to “corner.” Although the word has nothing to do with cats or kittens, in various dialects all three spellings are acceptable: “catty,” “cater,” or “kitty.”
But unless you have somebody holding your golf clubs permanently stationed in the corner of your room, you shouldn’t use the spelling “caddy corner.”
This expression, meaning “diagonally opposite,” was formed from a misspelling in English of the French word quatre (“four”) prefixed to “corner.” Although the word has nothing to do with cats or kittens, in various dialects all three spellings are acceptable: “catty,” “cater,” or “kitty.”
But unless you have somebody holding your golf clubs permanently stationed in the corner of your room, you shouldn’t use the spelling “caddy corner.”
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Confusionism/Confucianism: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Confusionism/Confucianism
This spelling error isn’t exactly an English error, but it’s very common among my students. Confucius is the founder of Confucianism. His name is not spelled “Confucious,” and his philosophy is not called “Confusionism.” When you spot the confusion in the latter term, change it quickly to “Confucianism.”
This spelling error isn’t exactly an English error, but it’s very common among my students. Confucius is the founder of Confucianism. His name is not spelled “Confucious,” and his philosophy is not called “Confusionism.” When you spot the confusion in the latter term, change it quickly to “Confucianism.”
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
farther/further: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 12, 2013
farther/further
Some authorities (like the Associated Press) insist on “farther” to refer to physical distance and on “further” to refer to an extent of time or degree, but others treat the two words as interchangeable except for insisting on “further” for “in addition” or “moreover.” You’ll always be safe in making the distinction; some people get really testy about this.
Some authorities (like the Associated Press) insist on “farther” to refer to physical distance and on “further” to refer to an extent of time or degree, but others treat the two words as interchangeable except for insisting on “further” for “in addition” or “moreover.” You’ll always be safe in making the distinction; some people get really testy about this.
Monday, March 11, 2013
soar/sore: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 11, 2013
soar/sore
By far the more common word is “sore” which refers to aches, pains, and wounds: sore feet, sore backs, sores on your skin. The more unusual word used to describe the act of gliding through the air or swooping up toward the heavens is spelled “soar.” This second word is often used metaphorically: eagles, spirits, and prices can all soar. If you know your parts of speech, just keep in mind that “soar” is always a verb, and “sore” can be either a noun (“running sore”) or an adjective (“sore loser”) but never a verb. In archaic English “sore” could also be an adverb meaning “sorely” or “severely”: “they were sore afraid.”
By far the more common word is “sore” which refers to aches, pains, and wounds: sore feet, sore backs, sores on your skin. The more unusual word used to describe the act of gliding through the air or swooping up toward the heavens is spelled “soar.” This second word is often used metaphorically: eagles, spirits, and prices can all soar. If you know your parts of speech, just keep in mind that “soar” is always a verb, and “sore” can be either a noun (“running sore”) or an adjective (“sore loser”) but never a verb. In archaic English “sore” could also be an adverb meaning “sorely” or “severely”: “they were sore afraid.”
Sunday, March 10, 2013
back/forward/up in time: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, March 10, 2013
back/forward/up in time
For most people you move an event forward by scheduling it to happen sooner, but other people imagine the event being moved forward into the future, postponed. This is what most—but not all—people mean by saying they want to move an event back—later. Usage is also split on whether moving an event up means making it happen sooner (most common) or later (less common). The result is widespread confusion. When using these expressions make clear your meaning by the context in which you use them. “We need to move the meeting forward” is ambiguous; “we need to move the meeting forward to an earlier date” is not.
Just to confuse things further, when you move the clock ahead in the spring for daylight saving time, you make it later; but when you move a meeting ahead, you make it sooner. Isn’t English wonderful?
For most people you move an event forward by scheduling it to happen sooner, but other people imagine the event being moved forward into the future, postponed. This is what most—but not all—people mean by saying they want to move an event back—later. Usage is also split on whether moving an event up means making it happen sooner (most common) or later (less common). The result is widespread confusion. When using these expressions make clear your meaning by the context in which you use them. “We need to move the meeting forward” is ambiguous; “we need to move the meeting forward to an earlier date” is not.
Just to confuse things further, when you move the clock ahead in the spring for daylight saving time, you make it later; but when you move a meeting ahead, you make it sooner. Isn’t English wonderful?
Saturday, March 9, 2013
followup/follow up, follow-up: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, March 9, 2013
followup/follow up, follow-up
A doctor can follow up with a patient during a follow-up visit (note that the adjectival form requires a hyphen). Neither phrase should be turned into a single hyphenless word.
A doctor can follow up with a patient during a follow-up visit (note that the adjectival form requires a hyphen). Neither phrase should be turned into a single hyphenless word.
Friday, March 8, 2013
reknown/renown: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, March 8, 2013
reknown/renown
When you won the national spelling bee you achieved great renown (fame). Now you are a renowned speller (notice the “-ed” ending on the adjectival form).
Many people mistakenly suppose that because “renown” has to do with being well known the word should be spelled “reknown,” but in fact it is derived from the French word nom and has to do with gaining a name. In French, fame is renomée.
When you won the national spelling bee you achieved great renown (fame). Now you are a renowned speller (notice the “-ed” ending on the adjectival form).
Many people mistakenly suppose that because “renown” has to do with being well known the word should be spelled “reknown,” but in fact it is derived from the French word nom and has to do with gaining a name. In French, fame is renomée.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
publically/publicly: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 7, 2013
publically/publicly
There’s no particular logic to the spelling of “publicly.” Maybe it would help to remember not to include wastefully unnecessary letters at the public expense.
There’s no particular logic to the spelling of “publicly.” Maybe it would help to remember not to include wastefully unnecessary letters at the public expense.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
simplistic: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, March 6, 2013
simplistic
“Simplistic” means “overly simple” and is always used negatively. Don’t substitute it when you just mean to say “simple” or even “very simple.”
“Simplistic” means “overly simple” and is always used negatively. Don’t substitute it when you just mean to say “simple” or even “very simple.”
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
satellite: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 5, 2013
satellite
Originally a satellite was a follower. Astronomers applied the term to smaller bodies orbiting about planets, like our moon. Then we began launching artificial satellites. Since few people were familiar with the term in its technical meaning, the adjective “artificial” was quickly dropped in popular usage. So far so bad. Then television began to be broadcast via satellite. Much if not all television now wends its way through a satellite at some point, but in the popular imagination only broadcasts received at the viewing site via a dish antenna aimed at a satellite qualify to be called “satellite television.” Thus we see motel signs boasting:
People say things like, “The fight’s going to be shown on satellite.” The word has become a pathetic fragment of its former self. The technologically literate speaker will avoid these slovenly abbreviations.
Originally a satellite was a follower. Astronomers applied the term to smaller bodies orbiting about planets, like our moon. Then we began launching artificial satellites. Since few people were familiar with the term in its technical meaning, the adjective “artificial” was quickly dropped in popular usage. So far so bad. Then television began to be broadcast via satellite. Much if not all television now wends its way through a satellite at some point, but in the popular imagination only broadcasts received at the viewing site via a dish antenna aimed at a satellite qualify to be called “satellite television.” Thus we see motel signs boasting:
AIR CONDITIONING, SATELLITE
People say things like, “The fight’s going to be shown on satellite.” The word has become a pathetic fragment of its former self. The technologically literate speaker will avoid these slovenly abbreviations.
Monday, March 4, 2013
they’re/their/there: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 4, 2013
they’re/their/there
Many people are so spooked by apostrophes that a word like “they’re” seems to them as if it might mean almost anything. In fact, it’s always a contraction of “they are.” If you’ve written “they’re,” ask yourself whether you can substitute “they are.” If not, you’ve made a mistake. “Their” is a possessive pronoun like “her” or “our”: “They eat their hot dogs with sauerkraut.” Everything else is “there.” “There goes the ball, out of the park! See it? Right there! There aren’t very many home runs like that.” “Thier” is a common misspelling, but you can avoid it by remembering that “they” and “their” begin with the same three letters. Another hint: “there” has “here” buried inside it to remind you it refers to place, while “their” has “heir” buried in it to remind you that it has to do with possession.
Many people are so spooked by apostrophes that a word like “they’re” seems to them as if it might mean almost anything. In fact, it’s always a contraction of “they are.” If you’ve written “they’re,” ask yourself whether you can substitute “they are.” If not, you’ve made a mistake. “Their” is a possessive pronoun like “her” or “our”: “They eat their hot dogs with sauerkraut.” Everything else is “there.” “There goes the ball, out of the park! See it? Right there! There aren’t very many home runs like that.” “Thier” is a common misspelling, but you can avoid it by remembering that “they” and “their” begin with the same three letters. Another hint: “there” has “here” buried inside it to remind you it refers to place, while “their” has “heir” buried in it to remind you that it has to do with possession.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
of: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, March 3, 2013
of
“Of” is often shoved in where it doesn’t belong in phrases like “not that big of a deal” and “not that great of a writer.” Just leave it out.
“Of” is often shoved in where it doesn’t belong in phrases like “not that big of a deal” and “not that great of a writer.” Just leave it out.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
prepone: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, March 2, 2013
prepone
South Asian speakers have evolved the logical word “prepone” to mean the opposite of “postpone”: to move forward in time. It’s a handy word, but users of it should be aware that those unfamiliar with their dialect will be baffled by it.
South Asian speakers have evolved the logical word “prepone” to mean the opposite of “postpone”: to move forward in time. It’s a handy word, but users of it should be aware that those unfamiliar with their dialect will be baffled by it.
Friday, March 1, 2013
accent marks: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, March 1, 2013
accent marks
In what follows, “accent mark” will be used in a loose sense to include all diacritical marks that guide pronunciation. Operating systems and programs differ in how they produce accent marks, but it’s worth learning how yours works. Writing them in by hand afterwards looks amateurish.
Words adopted from foreign languages sometimes carry their accent marks with them, as in “fiancé,” “protégé,” and “cliché.” As words become more at home in English, they tend to shed the marks: “Café” is often spelled “cafe.” Unfortunately, “résumé” seems to be losing its marks one at a time.
Many computer users have not learned their systems well enough to understand how to produce the desired accent and often insert an apostrophe (curled) or foot mark (straight) after the accented letter instead: “cafe’” or “cafe'.” This is both ugly and incorrect. The same error is commonly seen on storefront signs.
So far we’ve used examples containing acute (right-leaning) accent marks. French and Italian (but not Spanish) words often contain grave (left-leaning) accents; in Italian it’s a caffè. It is important not to substitute one kind of accent for the other.
The diaeresis over a letter signifies that it is to be pronounced as a separate syllable: “noël” and “naïve” are sometimes spelled with a diaeresis, for instance. The umlaut, which looks identical, modifies the sound of a vowel, as in German Fräulein (girl), where the accent mark changes the “frow” sound of Frau (woman) to “froy.” Rock groups like Blue Öyster Cult scattered umlauts about nonsensically to create an exotic look.
Spanish words not completely assimilated into English—like piñata and niño—retain the tilde, which tells you that an N is to be pronounced with a Y sound after it.
In English-language publications accent marks are often discarded, but the acute and grave accents are the ones most often retained.
In what follows, “accent mark” will be used in a loose sense to include all diacritical marks that guide pronunciation. Operating systems and programs differ in how they produce accent marks, but it’s worth learning how yours works. Writing them in by hand afterwards looks amateurish.
Words adopted from foreign languages sometimes carry their accent marks with them, as in “fiancé,” “protégé,” and “cliché.” As words become more at home in English, they tend to shed the marks: “Café” is often spelled “cafe.” Unfortunately, “résumé” seems to be losing its marks one at a time.
Many computer users have not learned their systems well enough to understand how to produce the desired accent and often insert an apostrophe (curled) or foot mark (straight) after the accented letter instead: “cafe’” or “cafe'.” This is both ugly and incorrect. The same error is commonly seen on storefront signs.
So far we’ve used examples containing acute (right-leaning) accent marks. French and Italian (but not Spanish) words often contain grave (left-leaning) accents; in Italian it’s a caffè. It is important not to substitute one kind of accent for the other.
The diaeresis over a letter signifies that it is to be pronounced as a separate syllable: “noël” and “naïve” are sometimes spelled with a diaeresis, for instance. The umlaut, which looks identical, modifies the sound of a vowel, as in German Fräulein (girl), where the accent mark changes the “frow” sound of Frau (woman) to “froy.” Rock groups like Blue Öyster Cult scattered umlauts about nonsensically to create an exotic look.
Spanish words not completely assimilated into English—like piñata and niño—retain the tilde, which tells you that an N is to be pronounced with a Y sound after it.
In English-language publications accent marks are often discarded, but the acute and grave accents are the ones most often retained.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)