“Donut” is popular in advertising, but for most purposes spell it “doughnut.”
Thursday, July 31, 2014
donut/doughnut: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, July 31, 2014
donut/doughnut
“Donut” is popular in advertising, but for most purposes spell it “doughnut.”
“Donut” is popular in advertising, but for most purposes spell it “doughnut.”
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
nicety/niceness: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, July 30, 2014
nicety/niceness
“Nicety” is a noun meaning “fine detail” and is usually used in the plural. You may observe the niceties of etiquette or of English grammar. It is not a noun denoting the quality of being nice. That is “niceness.”
“Nicety” is a noun meaning “fine detail” and is usually used in the plural. You may observe the niceties of etiquette or of English grammar. It is not a noun denoting the quality of being nice. That is “niceness.”
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
in mass/en masse: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, July 29, 2014
in mass/en masse
We borrowed the phrase en masse from the French: “The mob marched en masse to the Bastille.” It does indeed mean “in a mass,” and you can use that English expression if you prefer, but “in mass” is an error.
We borrowed the phrase en masse from the French: “The mob marched en masse to the Bastille.” It does indeed mean “in a mass,” and you can use that English expression if you prefer, but “in mass” is an error.
Monday, July 28, 2014
by in large/by and large: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, July 28, 2014
by in large/by and large
The expression is “by and large.” Some also write erroneously “by enlarge.”
The expression is “by and large.” Some also write erroneously “by enlarge.”
Friday, July 25, 2014
l/ll: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, July 25–27, 2014
l/ll
There are quite a few words spelled with a double L in UK English which are spelled in the US with a single L. Examples include “woollen” (US “woolen”), “counsellor” (US “counselor”), “medallist” (US “medalist”), “jeweller” (US “jeweler”), “initialled” (US “initialed”), “labelled” (US “labeled”), “signalled” (US “signaled”), “totalled” (US “totaled”).
Most of these won’t cause Americans serious problems if they use the UK spelling, and a good spelling checker set to US English will catch them. But “chilli” looks distinctly odd to Americans when it turns up in the UK-influenced English of South Asian cookbooks. Americans are used to seeing it spelled “chili.” (Of course Spanish speakers think it should be chile.)
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Even more errors: razor-tight" (November 7, 2012).
Paul Brians comments on Weird Al's "Word Crimes" in his latest blog post.
There are quite a few words spelled with a double L in UK English which are spelled in the US with a single L. Examples include “woollen” (US “woolen”), “counsellor” (US “counselor”), “medallist” (US “medalist”), “jeweller” (US “jeweler”), “initialled” (US “initialed”), “labelled” (US “labeled”), “signalled” (US “signaled”), “totalled” (US “totaled”).
Most of these won’t cause Americans serious problems if they use the UK spelling, and a good spelling checker set to US English will catch them. But “chilli” looks distinctly odd to Americans when it turns up in the UK-influenced English of South Asian cookbooks. Americans are used to seeing it spelled “chili.” (Of course Spanish speakers think it should be chile.)
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Even more errors: razor-tight" (November 7, 2012).
Paul Brians comments on Weird Al's "Word Crimes" in his latest blog post.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
aural/oral: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, July 24, 2014
aural/oral
“Aural” has to do with things you hear, “oral” with things you say, or relating to your mouth.
“Aural” has to do with things you hear, “oral” with things you say, or relating to your mouth.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
worse comes to worse/worst comes to worst: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, July 23, 2014
worse comes to worse/worst comes to worst
The traditional idiom is “if worst comes to worst.” The modern variation “worse comes to worst” is a little more logical. “Worse comes to worse” is just a mistake.
The traditional idiom is “if worst comes to worst.” The modern variation “worse comes to worst” is a little more logical. “Worse comes to worse” is just a mistake.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
holocaust: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, July 22, 2014
holocaust
“Holocaust” is a Greek-derived translation of the Hebrew term olah, which denotes a sort of ritual sacrifice in which the food offered is completely burnt up rather than being merely dedicated to God and then eaten. It was applied with bitter irony by Jews to the destruction of millions of their number in the Nazi death camps. Although phrases like “nuclear holocaust” and “Cambodian holocaust” have become common, you risk giving serious offense by using the word in less severe circumstances, such as calling a precipitous decline in stock prices a “sell-off holocaust.”
“Holocaust” is a Greek-derived translation of the Hebrew term olah, which denotes a sort of ritual sacrifice in which the food offered is completely burnt up rather than being merely dedicated to God and then eaten. It was applied with bitter irony by Jews to the destruction of millions of their number in the Nazi death camps. Although phrases like “nuclear holocaust” and “Cambodian holocaust” have become common, you risk giving serious offense by using the word in less severe circumstances, such as calling a precipitous decline in stock prices a “sell-off holocaust.”
Monday, July 21, 2014
bully pulpit: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, July 21, 2014
bully pulpit
We occasionally still use the old positive meaning of the word “bully” when congratulating somebody (sincerely or sarcastically) by saying “Bully for you!” A century ago “bully” meant “good,” “great.”
That’s why Theodore Roosevelt called the American presidency a “bully pulpit,” meaning that it provided him an outstanding platform from which to preach his ideas. The expression is often misused by writers who mistakenly think it has something to do with preaching at people in a bullying way.
We occasionally still use the old positive meaning of the word “bully” when congratulating somebody (sincerely or sarcastically) by saying “Bully for you!” A century ago “bully” meant “good,” “great.”
That’s why Theodore Roosevelt called the American presidency a “bully pulpit,” meaning that it provided him an outstanding platform from which to preach his ideas. The expression is often misused by writers who mistakenly think it has something to do with preaching at people in a bullying way.
Friday, July 18, 2014
your guys’s/your: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, July 18–20, 2014
your guys’s/your
Many languages have separate singular and plural forms for the second person (ways of saying “you”), but standard English does not. “You” can be addressed to an individual or a whole room full of people.
In casual speech, Americans have evolved the slangy expression “you guys” to function as a second-person plural, formerly used of males only but now extended to both sexes; but this is not appropriate in formal contexts. Diners in fine restaurants are often irritated by clueless waiters who ask “Can I get you guys anything?”
The problem is much more serious when extended to the possessive: “You guys’s dessert will be ready in a minute.” Some people even create a double possessive by saying “your guys’s dessert. . . .” This is extremely clumsy. When dealing with people you don’t know intimately, it’s best to stick with “you” and “your” no matter how many people you’re addressing.
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Walk and Roll" (October 3, 2012).
Of roses, poetry, and comic strips: Paul Brians' recent blog posts discuss two (or three) of his favorite topics.
Many languages have separate singular and plural forms for the second person (ways of saying “you”), but standard English does not. “You” can be addressed to an individual or a whole room full of people.
In casual speech, Americans have evolved the slangy expression “you guys” to function as a second-person plural, formerly used of males only but now extended to both sexes; but this is not appropriate in formal contexts. Diners in fine restaurants are often irritated by clueless waiters who ask “Can I get you guys anything?”
The problem is much more serious when extended to the possessive: “You guys’s dessert will be ready in a minute.” Some people even create a double possessive by saying “your guys’s dessert. . . .” This is extremely clumsy. When dealing with people you don’t know intimately, it’s best to stick with “you” and “your” no matter how many people you’re addressing.
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Walk and Roll" (October 3, 2012).
Of roses, poetry, and comic strips: Paul Brians' recent blog posts discuss two (or three) of his favorite topics.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
contaminates/contaminants: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, July 17, 2014
contaminates/contaminants
When run-off from a chemical plant enters the river it contaminates the water; but the goo itself consists of contaminants.
When run-off from a chemical plant enters the river it contaminates the water; but the goo itself consists of contaminants.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
aide/aid: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, July 16, 2014
aide/aid
In American English, an aide is a personal assistant (nurse’s aide, presidential aide) but an inanimate object or process is always an aid (hearing aid, first aid).
In American English, an aide is a personal assistant (nurse’s aide, presidential aide) but an inanimate object or process is always an aid (hearing aid, first aid).
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
phenomena/phenomenon: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, July 15, 2014
phenomena/phenomenon
“Phenomena” is the plural form. It’s “this phenomenon,” but “these phenomena.”
“Phenomena” is the plural form. It’s “this phenomenon,” but “these phenomena.”
Monday, July 14, 2014
based around, based off of/based on: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, July 14, 2014
based around, based off of/based on
You can build a structure around a center; but bases go on the bottom of things, so you can’t base something around something else.
Similarly, you can build something off of a starting point, but you can’t base anything off of anything. Something is always based on something else.
You can build a structure around a center; but bases go on the bottom of things, so you can’t base something around something else.
Similarly, you can build something off of a starting point, but you can’t base anything off of anything. Something is always based on something else.
Friday, July 11, 2014
calls for/predicts: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, July 11–13, 2014
calls for/predicts
___________
The Week’s End Extra from the Archives: “One of those usage guidelines that refuse(s) to be pinned down . . . ” (May 10, 2013).
Paul Brians’ latest blog post calls for recognition of a verb form that has snuck into the language.
Glendower: I can call spirits from the vasty deep.Newspeople constantly joke that the weather service is to blame for the weather, so we shouldn’t be surprised when they tell us that the forecast “calls for” rain when what they mean is that it “predicts” rain. Remember, wherever you live, the weather is uncalled for.
Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man;
But will they come when you do call for them?
—Shakespeare: Henry IV, Part 1
___________
The Week’s End Extra from the Archives: “One of those usage guidelines that refuse(s) to be pinned down . . . ” (May 10, 2013).
Paul Brians’ latest blog post calls for recognition of a verb form that has snuck into the language.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
bail/bale: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, July 10, 2014
bail/bale
You bail the boat and bale the hay.
In the expression “bail out,” meaning to abandon a position or situation, it is nonstandard in America to use “bale,” though that spelling is widely accepted in the UK. The metaphor in the US is to compare oneself when jumping out of a plane to a bucket of water being tossed out of a boat, though that is probably not the origin of the phrase.
You bail the boat and bale the hay.
In the expression “bail out,” meaning to abandon a position or situation, it is nonstandard in America to use “bale,” though that spelling is widely accepted in the UK. The metaphor in the US is to compare oneself when jumping out of a plane to a bucket of water being tossed out of a boat, though that is probably not the origin of the phrase.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
posses/possess: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, July 9, 2014
posses/possess
Posses chase after bank robbers. If you own something, you possess it.
Posses chase after bank robbers. If you own something, you possess it.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
breach/breech: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, July 8, 2014
breach/breech
Substitute a K for the CH in “breach” to remind you that the word has to do with breakage: you can breach (break through) a dam or breach (violate the terms of) a contract. As a noun, a breach is something broken off or open, as in a breach in a military line during combat.
“Breech,” however, refers to rear ends, as in “breeches” (slang spelling “britches”). Thus “breech cloth,” “breech birth,” or “breech-loading gun.”
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends,” means “let’s charge into the gap in the enemy’s defenses,” not “let’s reach into our pants again.”
Substitute a K for the CH in “breach” to remind you that the word has to do with breakage: you can breach (break through) a dam or breach (violate the terms of) a contract. As a noun, a breach is something broken off or open, as in a breach in a military line during combat.
“Breech,” however, refers to rear ends, as in “breeches” (slang spelling “britches”). Thus “breech cloth,” “breech birth,” or “breech-loading gun.”
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends,” means “let’s charge into the gap in the enemy’s defenses,” not “let’s reach into our pants again.”
Monday, July 7, 2014
cents: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, July 7, 2014
cents
On a sign displaying a cost of 29 cents for something, the price can be written as “.29,” as “$.29,” or as “29¢,” but don’t combine the two forms. “.29¢” makes no sense, and “$.29¢” is worse.
On a sign displaying a cost of 29 cents for something, the price can be written as “.29,” as “$.29,” or as “29¢,” but don’t combine the two forms. “.29¢” makes no sense, and “$.29¢” is worse.
Friday, July 4, 2014
mislead/misled: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, July 4–6, 2014
mislead/misled
“Mislead” is the present tense form of this verb, but the past tense and past participle forms are “misled.” When you mislead someone you have misled them. The spelling error most often occurs in the phrase “don’t be mislead,” especially in advertising. Although this phrase refers to the future, the helping verb “be” requires the participle “misled”: “don’t be misled.”
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Misspell "vise" and win a free book!" (April 27, 2011).
“Mislead” is the present tense form of this verb, but the past tense and past participle forms are “misled.” When you mislead someone you have misled them. The spelling error most often occurs in the phrase “don’t be mislead,” especially in advertising. Although this phrase refers to the future, the helping verb “be” requires the participle “misled”: “don’t be misled.”
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Misspell "vise" and win a free book!" (April 27, 2011).
Thursday, July 3, 2014
likeliness/likeness: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, July 3, 2014
likeliness/likeness
Your portrait is your likeness, not your “likeliness.”
The probability of something is its likeliness.
Your portrait is your likeness, not your “likeliness.”
The probability of something is its likeliness.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
ain’t/am not/isn’t/aren’t: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, July 2, 2014
ain’t/am not/isn’t/aren’t
“Ain’t” has a long and vital history as a substitute for “isn’t,” “aren’t,” and so on. It was originally formed from a contraction of “am not” and is still commonly used in that sense. Even though it has been universally condemned as the classic “mistake” in English, everyone uses it occasionally as part of a joking phrase or to convey a down-to-earth quality. But if you always use it instead of the more “proper” contractions you’re sure to be branded as uneducated.
___________
Can't find a Dylan album? Maybe it's invisible. Paul Brians' latest blog post explains.
“Ain’t” has a long and vital history as a substitute for “isn’t,” “aren’t,” and so on. It was originally formed from a contraction of “am not” and is still commonly used in that sense. Even though it has been universally condemned as the classic “mistake” in English, everyone uses it occasionally as part of a joking phrase or to convey a down-to-earth quality. But if you always use it instead of the more “proper” contractions you’re sure to be branded as uneducated.
___________
Can't find a Dylan album? Maybe it's invisible. Paul Brians' latest blog post explains.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
alumnus/alumni: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, July 1, 2014
alumnus/alumni
We used to have “alumnus” (male singular), “alumni” (male plural), “alumna” (female singular), and “alumnae” (female plural); but the latter two are now popular only among older female graduates, with the first two terms becoming unisex. However, it is still important to distinguish between one alumnus and a stadium full of alumni. Never say, “I am an alumni,” if you don’t want to cast discredit on your school. Many avoid the whole problem by resorting to the informal abbreviation “alum.”
We used to have “alumnus” (male singular), “alumni” (male plural), “alumna” (female singular), and “alumnae” (female plural); but the latter two are now popular only among older female graduates, with the first two terms becoming unisex. However, it is still important to distinguish between one alumnus and a stadium full of alumni. Never say, “I am an alumni,” if you don’t want to cast discredit on your school. Many avoid the whole problem by resorting to the informal abbreviation “alum.”
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