majority are/majority is
“Majority” is one of those words that can be either singular or plural. Common sense works pretty well in deciding which. If you mean the word to describe a collection of individuals, then the word should be treated as plural: “The majority of e-mail users are upset about the increase in spam.” If the word is used to describe a collective group, then consider it singular: “A 90% majority is opposed to scheduling the next meeting at 6:00 AM.” If you are uncertain which you mean, choose whatever form sounds best to you; it’s not likely to bother many people.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Ghandi/Gandhi: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, April 29, 2013
Ghandi/Gandhi
Mohandas K. Gandhi’s name has an H after the D, not after the G. Note that “Mahatma” (“great soul”) is an honorific title, not actually part of his birth name. The proper pronunciation of the first syllable should rhyme more with “gone” than “can.” Among Indians, his name is usually given a respectful suffix and rendered as Gandhiji, but adding Mahatma to that form would be honorific overkill.
Mohandas K. Gandhi’s name has an H after the D, not after the G. Note that “Mahatma” (“great soul”) is an honorific title, not actually part of his birth name. The proper pronunciation of the first syllable should rhyme more with “gone” than “can.” Among Indians, his name is usually given a respectful suffix and rendered as Gandhiji, but adding Mahatma to that form would be honorific overkill.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
greatful/grateful: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, April 28, 2013
greatful/grateful
Your appreciation may be great, but you express gratitude by being grateful.
Your appreciation may be great, but you express gratitude by being grateful.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
conservativism/conservatism: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, April 27, 2013
conservativism/conservatism
The conservative spelling of this word is “conservatism.”
The conservative spelling of this word is “conservatism.”
Friday, April 26, 2013
exponential: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, April 26, 2013
exponential
Something grows exponentially when it repeatedly grows by multiples of some factor in a rapidly accelerating fashion. Don’t use the word loosely to refer to ordinary rapid, but steady, growth.
Something grows exponentially when it repeatedly grows by multiples of some factor in a rapidly accelerating fashion. Don’t use the word loosely to refer to ordinary rapid, but steady, growth.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
for goodness’ sakes/for goodness’ sake: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, April 25, 2013
for goodness’ sakes/for goodness’ sake
Picky folks point out that since the mild expletive “for goodness’ sake” is a euphemism for “for God’s sake” the second word should not be pluralized to “sakes”; but heavens to Betsy, if little things like that are going to bother you, you’ll have your dander up all the time.
Picky folks point out that since the mild expletive “for goodness’ sake” is a euphemism for “for God’s sake” the second word should not be pluralized to “sakes”; but heavens to Betsy, if little things like that are going to bother you, you’ll have your dander up all the time.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
artic/arctic: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, April 24, 2013
artic/arctic
Although some brand names have incorporated this popular error, remember that the Arctic Circle is an arc. By the way, Ralph Vaughan Williams called his suite drawn from the score of the film Scott of the Antarctic the Sinfonia Antartica, but that’s Italian, not English.
Although some brand names have incorporated this popular error, remember that the Arctic Circle is an arc. By the way, Ralph Vaughan Williams called his suite drawn from the score of the film Scott of the Antarctic the Sinfonia Antartica, but that’s Italian, not English.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
dateline/deadline: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, April 23, 2013
dateline/deadline
The word “dateline” is used today mainly to label the bit of text at the top of a printed news story that indicates where and—often, but not always—when it was written. For instance, after a headline about events in Kenya, the dateline might read “NAIROBI, Kenya, June 2, 2010.”
Probably because this rather obscure word has been popularized by its use for the name of an NBC television news show, some people confuse it with “deadline,” which is most often the date by which something must be accomplished. You can miss deadlines, meet deadlines, or have to deal with short deadlines—but not datelines.
The word “dateline” is used today mainly to label the bit of text at the top of a printed news story that indicates where and—often, but not always—when it was written. For instance, after a headline about events in Kenya, the dateline might read “NAIROBI, Kenya, June 2, 2010.”
Probably because this rather obscure word has been popularized by its use for the name of an NBC television news show, some people confuse it with “deadline,” which is most often the date by which something must be accomplished. You can miss deadlines, meet deadlines, or have to deal with short deadlines—but not datelines.
Monday, April 22, 2013
ongoingly/currently, continuously: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, April 22, 2013
ongoingly/currently, continuously
“Ongoingly” is not standard English. When something is occurring in an ongoing manner, you can speak of it as happening “currently” or “continuously.”
“Ongoingly” is not standard English. When something is occurring in an ongoing manner, you can speak of it as happening “currently” or “continuously.”
Sunday, April 21, 2013
refute/reject: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, April 21, 2013
refute/reject
To refute someone’s argument is to prove it incorrect. If you attempt no such proof but simply disagree with an argument the word you want is “reject.”
To refute someone’s argument is to prove it incorrect. If you attempt no such proof but simply disagree with an argument the word you want is “reject.”
Saturday, April 20, 2013
volumn/volume: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, April 20, 2013
volumn/volume
There are a few unusual words in English ending in MN in which the N is silent, such as “hymn” and “column,” but “volume” is not one of them.
There are a few unusual words in English ending in MN in which the N is silent, such as “hymn” and “column,” but “volume” is not one of them.
Friday, April 19, 2013
verse/play against: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, April 19, 2013
verse/play against
Some young people use “verse” as a verb meaning “to play against,” as in “I’ll verse you at basketball after school.” Computer gamers are particularly fond of virtual opponents versing each other. Presumably this bit of slang derives from the word “versus,” but it’s not standard English and is likely to confuse outsiders.
Some young people use “verse” as a verb meaning “to play against,” as in “I’ll verse you at basketball after school.” Computer gamers are particularly fond of virtual opponents versing each other. Presumably this bit of slang derives from the word “versus,” but it’s not standard English and is likely to confuse outsiders.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
gander/dander: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, April 18, 2013
gander/dander
When you get really angry you “get your dander up.” The derivation of “dander” in this expression is uncertain, but you can’t replace it with “dandruff” or “gander.” The only way to get a gander up is to awaken a male goose.
When you get really angry you “get your dander up.” The derivation of “dander” in this expression is uncertain, but you can’t replace it with “dandruff” or “gander.” The only way to get a gander up is to awaken a male goose.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
360 degrees/180 degrees: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, April 17, 2013
360 degrees/180 degrees
When you have turned 360 degrees you’ve completed a circle and are back where you started. So if you want to describe a position that’s diametrically opposed to another, the expression you want is not “360 degrees away” but “180 degrees away.”
When you have turned 360 degrees you’ve completed a circle and are back where you started. So if you want to describe a position that’s diametrically opposed to another, the expression you want is not “360 degrees away” but “180 degrees away.”
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
who/whom: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, April 16, 2013
who/whom
“Whom” has been dying an agonizing death for decades—you’ll notice there are no Whoms in Dr. Seuss’s Whoville. Many people never use the word in speech at all. However, in formal writing, critical readers still expect it to be used when appropriate. The distinction between “who” and “whom” is basically simple: “who” is the subject form of this pronoun and “whom” is the object form. “Who was wearing that awful dress at the Academy Awards banquet?” is correct because “who” is the subject of the sentence. “The M.C. was so startled by the neckline that he forgot to whom he was supposed to give the Oscar” is correct because “whom” is the object of the preposition “to.” So far so good.
Now consider this sort of question: “Who are you staring at?” Although strictly speaking the pronoun should be “whom,” nobody who wants to be taken seriously would use it in this case, though it is the object of the preposition “at.” “Whom” is very rarely used even by careful speakers as the first word in a question, and many authorities have now conceded the point.
There is another sort of question in which “whom” appears later in the sentence: “I wonder whom he bribed to get the contract?” This may seem at first similar to the previous example, but here “whom” is not the subject of any verb in the sentence; rather it is part of the noun clause which itself is the object of the verb “wonder.” Here an old gender-biased but effective test for “whom” can be used. Try rewriting the sentence using “he” or “him.” Clearly “He bribed he” is incorrect; you would say “he bribed him.” Where “him” is the proper word in the paraphrased sentence, use “whom.”
Instances in which the direct object appears at the beginning of a sentence are tricky because we are used to having subjects in that position and are strongly tempted to use “who”: “Whomever Susan admired most was likely to get the job.” (Test: “She admired him.” Right?)
Where things get really messy is in statements in which the object or subject status of the pronoun is not immediately obvious. For example, “The police gave tickets to whoever had parked in front of the fire hydrant.” The object of the preposition “to” is the entire noun clause, “whoever had parked in front of the fire hydrant,” but “whoever” is the subject of that clause, the subject of the verb “had parked.” Here’s a case where the temptation to use “whomever” should be resisted.
Confused? Just try the “he or him” test, and if it’s still not clear, go with “who.” You’ll bother fewer people and have a fair chance of being right.
“Whom” has been dying an agonizing death for decades—you’ll notice there are no Whoms in Dr. Seuss’s Whoville. Many people never use the word in speech at all. However, in formal writing, critical readers still expect it to be used when appropriate. The distinction between “who” and “whom” is basically simple: “who” is the subject form of this pronoun and “whom” is the object form. “Who was wearing that awful dress at the Academy Awards banquet?” is correct because “who” is the subject of the sentence. “The M.C. was so startled by the neckline that he forgot to whom he was supposed to give the Oscar” is correct because “whom” is the object of the preposition “to.” So far so good.
Now consider this sort of question: “Who are you staring at?” Although strictly speaking the pronoun should be “whom,” nobody who wants to be taken seriously would use it in this case, though it is the object of the preposition “at.” “Whom” is very rarely used even by careful speakers as the first word in a question, and many authorities have now conceded the point.
There is another sort of question in which “whom” appears later in the sentence: “I wonder whom he bribed to get the contract?” This may seem at first similar to the previous example, but here “whom” is not the subject of any verb in the sentence; rather it is part of the noun clause which itself is the object of the verb “wonder.” Here an old gender-biased but effective test for “whom” can be used. Try rewriting the sentence using “he” or “him.” Clearly “He bribed he” is incorrect; you would say “he bribed him.” Where “him” is the proper word in the paraphrased sentence, use “whom.”
Instances in which the direct object appears at the beginning of a sentence are tricky because we are used to having subjects in that position and are strongly tempted to use “who”: “Whomever Susan admired most was likely to get the job.” (Test: “She admired him.” Right?)
Where things get really messy is in statements in which the object or subject status of the pronoun is not immediately obvious. For example, “The police gave tickets to whoever had parked in front of the fire hydrant.” The object of the preposition “to” is the entire noun clause, “whoever had parked in front of the fire hydrant,” but “whoever” is the subject of that clause, the subject of the verb “had parked.” Here’s a case where the temptation to use “whomever” should be resisted.
Confused? Just try the “he or him” test, and if it’s still not clear, go with “who.” You’ll bother fewer people and have a fair chance of being right.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Scotch free/scot free: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, April 15, 2013
Scotch free/scot free
Getting away with something “scot free” has nothing to do with the Scots (or Scotch). The scot was a medieval tax; if you evaded paying it you got off scot free. Some people wrongly suppose this phrase alludes to Dred Scott, the American slave who unsuccessfully sued for his freedom. The phrase is “scot free”: no H, one T.
Getting away with something “scot free” has nothing to do with the Scots (or Scotch). The scot was a medieval tax; if you evaded paying it you got off scot free. Some people wrongly suppose this phrase alludes to Dred Scott, the American slave who unsuccessfully sued for his freedom. The phrase is “scot free”: no H, one T.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
sulking/skulking: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, April 14, 2013
sulking/skulking
That guy sneaking furtively around the neighborhood is skulking around; that teenager brooding in his bedroom because he got grounded is sulking. “Sulking around” is not a traditional phrase.
That guy sneaking furtively around the neighborhood is skulking around; that teenager brooding in his bedroom because he got grounded is sulking. “Sulking around” is not a traditional phrase.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
parliment/parliament: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, April 13, 2013
parliment/parliament
Americans unfamiliar with parliamentary systems often mistakenly leave the second A out of “parliament” and “parliamentary.”
Americans unfamiliar with parliamentary systems often mistakenly leave the second A out of “parliament” and “parliamentary.”
Friday, April 12, 2013
defamation/deformation: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, April 12, 2013
defamation/deformation
Someone who defames you, seeking to destroy your reputation (making you ill-famed), is engaging in defamation of character. Only if someone succeeded in actually making you a worse person could you claim that they had deformed your character.
Someone who defames you, seeking to destroy your reputation (making you ill-famed), is engaging in defamation of character. Only if someone succeeded in actually making you a worse person could you claim that they had deformed your character.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Church/church: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, April 11, 2013
Church/church
Catholics routinely refer to their church as the Church, with a capital C. This irritates the members of other churches, but is standard usage. When “Church” stands by itself (that is, not as part of a name like “First Methodist Church”), capitalize it only to mean “Roman Catholic Church.” Note that protestant theologians and other specialists in religion do refer to the whole body of Christians as “the Church,” but this professional usage is not common in ordinary writing.
Catholics routinely refer to their church as the Church, with a capital C. This irritates the members of other churches, but is standard usage. When “Church” stands by itself (that is, not as part of a name like “First Methodist Church”), capitalize it only to mean “Roman Catholic Church.” Note that protestant theologians and other specialists in religion do refer to the whole body of Christians as “the Church,” but this professional usage is not common in ordinary writing.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
bonafied/bonafide: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, April 10, 2013
bonafied/bonafide
Bona fide is a Latin phrase meaning “in good faith,” most often used to mean “genuine” today. It is often misspelled as if it were the past tense of an imaginary verb: “bonafy.”
Bona fide is a Latin phrase meaning “in good faith,” most often used to mean “genuine” today. It is often misspelled as if it were the past tense of an imaginary verb: “bonafy.”
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
cut the muster/cut the mustard: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, April 9, 2013
cut the muster/cut the mustard
Some people insist that the original phrase is “cut the muster” rather than the seemingly nonsensical “cut the mustard.” This etymology seems plausible at first. Its proponents often trace it to the American Civil War. We do have the analogous expression “to pass muster,” which probably first suggested this alternative; but although the origins of “cut the mustard” are somewhat obscure, the latter is definitely the form used in all sorts of writing throughout the 20th century. No advocate of the rival form has ever documented an authentic instance of its use in a 19th-century context. Common sense would suggest that a person cutting a muster is not someone being selected as fit, but someone eliminating the unfit.
Some people insist that the original phrase is “cut the muster” rather than the seemingly nonsensical “cut the mustard.” This etymology seems plausible at first. Its proponents often trace it to the American Civil War. We do have the analogous expression “to pass muster,” which probably first suggested this alternative; but although the origins of “cut the mustard” are somewhat obscure, the latter is definitely the form used in all sorts of writing throughout the 20th century. No advocate of the rival form has ever documented an authentic instance of its use in a 19th-century context. Common sense would suggest that a person cutting a muster is not someone being selected as fit, but someone eliminating the unfit.
Monday, April 8, 2013
entomology/etymology: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, April 8, 2013
entomology/etymology
Entomology is the study of insects, like ants (“ant” looks like “ent‑”) but etymology is the study of the history of words (from Greek, originally meaning “the true meaning of words”).
Entomology is the study of insects, like ants (“ant” looks like “ent‑”) but etymology is the study of the history of words (from Greek, originally meaning “the true meaning of words”).
Sunday, April 7, 2013
next store/next door: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, April 7, 2013
next store/next door
You can adore the boy next door, but not “next store.”
You can adore the boy next door, but not “next store.”
Saturday, April 6, 2013
just assume/just as soon: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, April 6, 2013
just assume/just as soon
People sometimes write, “I’d just assume stay home and watch TV.” The expression is “just as soon.”
People sometimes write, “I’d just assume stay home and watch TV.” The expression is “just as soon.”
Friday, April 5, 2013
yea/yeah/yay: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, April 5, 2013
yea/yeah/yay
“Yea” is a very old-fashioned, formal way of saying “yes,” used mainly in voting. It’s the opposite of—and rhymes with—“nay.” When you want to write the common casual version of “yes,” the correct spelling is “yeah” (sounds like “yeh”). When the third grade teacher announced a class trip to the zoo, we all yelled “yay!” (the opposite of “boo!”). That was back when I was only yay big.
“Yea” is a very old-fashioned, formal way of saying “yes,” used mainly in voting. It’s the opposite of—and rhymes with—“nay.” When you want to write the common casual version of “yes,” the correct spelling is “yeah” (sounds like “yeh”). When the third grade teacher announced a class trip to the zoo, we all yelled “yay!” (the opposite of “boo!”). That was back when I was only yay big.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
supposably, supposingly, supposively/supposedly: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, April 4, 2013
supposably, supposingly, supposively/supposedly
“Supposedly” is the standard form. “Supposably” can be used only when the meaning is “capable of being supposed,” and then only in the US. You won’t get into trouble if you stick with “supposedly.”
“Supposedly” is the standard form. “Supposably” can be used only when the meaning is “capable of being supposed,” and then only in the US. You won’t get into trouble if you stick with “supposedly.”
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
cut of tea/cup of tea: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, April 3, 2013
cut of tea/cup of tea
An astounding number of people write “cut of tea” when they mean “cup of tea,” especially in phrases like “not my cut of tea” instead of “not my cup of tea.” This saying is not about fine distinctions between different ways the tea’s been harvested; it just refers to the ordinary vessel from which you drink the stuff.
Is this mistake influenced by the expression “the cut of his jib” or is it just a goofy typo?
An astounding number of people write “cut of tea” when they mean “cup of tea,” especially in phrases like “not my cut of tea” instead of “not my cup of tea.” This saying is not about fine distinctions between different ways the tea’s been harvested; it just refers to the ordinary vessel from which you drink the stuff.
Is this mistake influenced by the expression “the cut of his jib” or is it just a goofy typo?
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
extend/extent: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, April 2, 2013
extend/extent
People often write “to a great extend” or “to a lesser extend.” “Extend” is a verb only, and should not be used as a noun. It’s “to a great extent,” and “to a lesser extent.”
People often write “to a great extend” or “to a lesser extend.” “Extend” is a verb only, and should not be used as a noun. It’s “to a great extent,” and “to a lesser extent.”
Monday, April 1, 2013
allusion/illusion: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, April 1, 2013
allusion/illusion
An allusion is a reference, something you allude to: “Her allusion to flowers reminded me that Valentine’s Day was coming.” In that English paper, don’t write “literary illusions” when you mean “allusions.” A mirage, hallucination, or magic trick is an illusion. (Doesn’t being fooled just make you ill?)
An allusion is a reference, something you allude to: “Her allusion to flowers reminded me that Valentine’s Day was coming.” In that English paper, don’t write “literary illusions” when you mean “allusions.” A mirage, hallucination, or magic trick is an illusion. (Doesn’t being fooled just make you ill?)
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