systematic/systemic
By far the more common word and the one you should use if you are in doubt is “systematic.” It refers to things that are arranged or dealt with according to some system or organized method. “Gerry systematically sorts his socks into piles: those that are still wearable and those that are too smelly.”
Often “systematic” and “systematically” are used metaphorically to imply that something is done so consistently that it almost seems there must be a system behind it: “Tom systematically leaves the toilet seat up.” If you need a synonym for “consistent,” the word you need is “systematic.”
“Systemic” is a much rarer scientific and technical term referring to parts of a body or system. It is frequently used in medicine and biology. A systemic disease affects many parts of the body. A systemic herbicide may be sprayed on the leaves of a weed, but it spreads down to its roots to kill the whole plant. A systemic problem in banking affects many parts of the banking system.
If you’re talking about how something is done according to a system, the word you want is “systematic.”
If you’re talking about something happening to or inside of a system, the word you want is “systemic.”
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The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Cowing to Special Interests" (April 14, 2011).
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Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
times/multiply: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, February 27, 2014
times/multiply
School children struggling with their times tables often say that they “times” one number by another. It’s “2 times 2,” but the mathematical operation being performed is not “timesing.”
Some unfortunate folks carry this childish vocabulary into adulthood, continuing to use “times” as a verb meaning “multiply.” If you’re old enough to handle three-syllable words you can manage this one.
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School children struggling with their times tables often say that they “times” one number by another. It’s “2 times 2,” but the mathematical operation being performed is not “timesing.”
Some unfortunate folks carry this childish vocabulary into adulthood, continuing to use “times” as a verb meaning “multiply.” If you’re old enough to handle three-syllable words you can manage this one.
_______
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Wednesday, February 26, 2014
bought/brought: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, February 26, 2014
bought/brought
If you pay for something, you’ve bought it; if you bring something you’ve brought it. These two words are probably interchanged most often out of mere carelessness. A spelling checker won’t catch the switch, so watch out for it.
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If you pay for something, you’ve bought it; if you bring something you’ve brought it. These two words are probably interchanged most often out of mere carelessness. A spelling checker won’t catch the switch, so watch out for it.
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Tuesday, February 25, 2014
somebody/someone: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, February 25, 2014
somebody/someone
Can “somebody” or “someone” be plural nouns? No. They are always singular.
A sentence like “When somebody runs a red light, they risk causing an accident” is just an example of singular “they.”
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Can “somebody” or “someone” be plural nouns? No. They are always singular.
A sentence like “When somebody runs a red light, they risk causing an accident” is just an example of singular “they.”
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Monday, February 24, 2014
Chicano/Latino/Hispanic: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, February 24, 2014
Chicano/Latino/Hispanic
“Chicano” means “Mexican-American,” and not all the people denoted by this term like it. When speaking of people living in the US from various other Spanish-speaking countries, “Chicano” is an error for “Latino” or “Hispanic.” Only “Hispanic” can include people with a Spanish as well as with a Latin American heritage; and some people of Latin American heritage object to it as ignoring the Native American element in that population. Only “Latino” could logically include Portuguese-speaking Brazilians, though that is rarely done.
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“Chicano” means “Mexican-American,” and not all the people denoted by this term like it. When speaking of people living in the US from various other Spanish-speaking countries, “Chicano” is an error for “Latino” or “Hispanic.” Only “Hispanic” can include people with a Spanish as well as with a Latin American heritage; and some people of Latin American heritage object to it as ignoring the Native American element in that population. Only “Latino” could logically include Portuguese-speaking Brazilians, though that is rarely done.
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Friday, February 21, 2014
Bible: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, February 21–23, 2014
Bible
Whether you are referring to the Jewish Bible (the Torah plus the Prophets and the Writings) or the Protestant Bible (the Jewish Bible plus the New Testament), or the Catholic Bible (which contains everything in the Jewish and Protestant Bibles plus several other books and passages mostly written in Greek in its Old Testament), the word “Bible” must be capitalized. Remember that it is the title of a book, and book titles are normally capitalized. An oddity in English usage is, however, that “Bible” and the names of the various parts of the Bible are not italicized or placed between quotation marks.
Even when used metaphorically of other sacred books, as in “The Qur’an is the Bible of the Muslims,” the word is usually capitalized; although in secular contexts it is not: “Physicians’ Desk Reference is the pharmacists’ bible.” “Biblical” may be capitalized or not, as you choose (or as your editor chooses).
Those who wish to be sensitive to the Jewish authorship of the Jewish Bible may wish to use “Hebrew Bible” and “Christian Scriptures” instead of the traditionally Christian nomenclature: “Old Testament” and “New Testament.” Modern Jewish scholars sometimes use the Hebrew acronym “Tanakh” to refer to their Bible, but this term is not generally understood by others.
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The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Well-regulated usage being necessary to the clarity of free speech. . ." (August 14, 2013).
Paul Brians discusses this entry in his latest blog post.
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Whether you are referring to the Jewish Bible (the Torah plus the Prophets and the Writings) or the Protestant Bible (the Jewish Bible plus the New Testament), or the Catholic Bible (which contains everything in the Jewish and Protestant Bibles plus several other books and passages mostly written in Greek in its Old Testament), the word “Bible” must be capitalized. Remember that it is the title of a book, and book titles are normally capitalized. An oddity in English usage is, however, that “Bible” and the names of the various parts of the Bible are not italicized or placed between quotation marks.
Even when used metaphorically of other sacred books, as in “The Qur’an is the Bible of the Muslims,” the word is usually capitalized; although in secular contexts it is not: “Physicians’ Desk Reference is the pharmacists’ bible.” “Biblical” may be capitalized or not, as you choose (or as your editor chooses).
Those who wish to be sensitive to the Jewish authorship of the Jewish Bible may wish to use “Hebrew Bible” and “Christian Scriptures” instead of the traditionally Christian nomenclature: “Old Testament” and “New Testament.” Modern Jewish scholars sometimes use the Hebrew acronym “Tanakh” to refer to their Bible, but this term is not generally understood by others.
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Well-regulated usage being necessary to the clarity of free speech. . ." (August 14, 2013).
Paul Brians discusses this entry in his latest blog post.
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Thursday, February 20, 2014
face the piper/pay the piper, face the music: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, February 20, 2014
face the piper/pay the piper, face the music
When it comes time to accept the consequences of your actions you may have to pay the piper or face the music, but you don’t have to “face the piper.”
When it comes time to accept the consequences of your actions you may have to pay the piper or face the music, but you don’t have to “face the piper.”
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
plead innocent: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, February 19, 2014
plead innocent
Lawyers frown on the phrase “plead innocent” (it’s “plead guilty” or “plead not guilty”), but outside of legal contexts the phrase is standard English.
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Paul Brians discusses the mixed-up expression you get when you cross "over the line" with "below the belt" in his latest blog post.
Lawyers frown on the phrase “plead innocent” (it’s “plead guilty” or “plead not guilty”), but outside of legal contexts the phrase is standard English.
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Paul Brians discusses the mixed-up expression you get when you cross "over the line" with "below the belt" in his latest blog post.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
queue: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, February 18, 2014
queue
If you’re standing in a queue you’ll have plenty of time to ponder the unusual spelling of this word. Remember, it contains two U’s.
If you’re standing in a queue you’ll have plenty of time to ponder the unusual spelling of this word. Remember, it contains two U’s.
Monday, February 17, 2014
axel/axle: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, February 17, 2014
axel/axle
The centers of wheels are connected by axles. An axel is a tricky jump in figure skating named after Axel Paulsen.
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Nancy Kerrigan explains:
The centers of wheels are connected by axles. An axel is a tricky jump in figure skating named after Axel Paulsen.
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Nancy Kerrigan explains:
Friday, February 14, 2014
opportunist: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, February 14–16, 2014
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.
____________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Semicolons and 'But'" (June 13, 2011).
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.
____________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Semicolons and 'But'" (June 13, 2011).
Thursday, February 13, 2014
way more/far more/much more: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, February 13, 2014
way more/far more/much more
Young people frequently use phrases like “way better” to mean “far better” or “very much better.” In formal writing, it would be gauche to say that Impressionism is “way more popular” than Cubism instead of “much more popular.”
Young people frequently use phrases like “way better” to mean “far better” or “very much better.” In formal writing, it would be gauche to say that Impressionism is “way more popular” than Cubism instead of “much more popular.”
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
volumptuous/voluptuous: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, February 12, 2014
volumptuous/voluptuous
Given the current mania for slim, taut bodies, it is understandable—if amusing—that some folks should confuse voluptuousness with lumpiness. In fact, “voluptuous” is derived from Latin voluptas, which refers to sensual pleasure and not to shape at all. A voluptuous body is a luxurious body.
Given the current mania for slim, taut bodies, it is understandable—if amusing—that some folks should confuse voluptuousness with lumpiness. In fact, “voluptuous” is derived from Latin voluptas, which refers to sensual pleasure and not to shape at all. A voluptuous body is a luxurious body.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
sowcow/salchow: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, February 11, 2014
sowcow/salchow
There’s a fancy turning jump in ice skating named after Swedish figure skater Ulrich Salchow, but every Winter Olympics millions of people think they hear the commentators saying “sowcow” and that’s how they proceed to misspell it.
Monday, February 10, 2014
taken back/taken aback: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, February 10, 2014
taken back/taken aback
When you’re startled by something, you’re taken aback by it. When you’re reminded of something from your past, you’re taken back to that time.
When you’re startled by something, you’re taken aback by it. When you’re reminded of something from your past, you’re taken back to that time.
Friday, February 7, 2014
taunt/taut/tout: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, February 7–9, 2014
taunt/taut/tout
I am told that medical personnel often mistakenly refer to a patient’s abdomen as “taunt” rather than the correct “taut.” “Taunt” (“tease” or “mock”) can be a verb or noun, but never an adjective. “Taut” means “tight, distended,” and is always an adjective.
Don’t confuse “taunt” with “tout,” which means “promote,” as in “Senator Bilgewater has been touted as a Presidential candidate.” You tout somebody you admire and taunt someone that you don’t.
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The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Flatline" (May 14, 2011).
Note for Sunday, if you are in the Seattle area: Paul Brians will be at Eagle Harbor Books at 3 p.m.
I am told that medical personnel often mistakenly refer to a patient’s abdomen as “taunt” rather than the correct “taut.” “Taunt” (“tease” or “mock”) can be a verb or noun, but never an adjective. “Taut” means “tight, distended,” and is always an adjective.
Don’t confuse “taunt” with “tout,” which means “promote,” as in “Senator Bilgewater has been touted as a Presidential candidate.” You tout somebody you admire and taunt someone that you don’t.
____________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Flatline" (May 14, 2011).
Note for Sunday, if you are in the Seattle area: Paul Brians will be at Eagle Harbor Books at 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
under the guise that/under the guise of: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, February 6, 2014
under the guise that/under the guise of
Phishing e-mails try to extract valuable information from you so they can rob you under the guise of protecting your online security. They are disguising their theft as protection. There are other related phrases, mostly ending in “that,” such as “under the pretext that” and “with the excuse that”; but “under the guise” requires “of,” usually followed by a gerund ending in “-ing.”
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Note for this coming Sunday, if you are in the Seattle area: Paul Brians will be at Eagle Harbor Books at 3 p.m.
Phishing e-mails try to extract valuable information from you so they can rob you under the guise of protecting your online security. They are disguising their theft as protection. There are other related phrases, mostly ending in “that,” such as “under the pretext that” and “with the excuse that”; but “under the guise” requires “of,” usually followed by a gerund ending in “-ing.”
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Note for this coming Sunday, if you are in the Seattle area: Paul Brians will be at Eagle Harbor Books at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
mfr./mfg.: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, February 5, 2014
mfr./mfg.
“Mfr.” is the abbreviation for “manufacturer” and “mfg.” is the abbreviation for “manufacturing.” Acme Mfg. Co. is a mfr. of roadrunner traps.
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Note for this coming Sunday, if you are in the Seattle area: Paul Brians will be at Eagle Harbor Books at 3 p.m.
“Mfr.” is the abbreviation for “manufacturer” and “mfg.” is the abbreviation for “manufacturing.” Acme Mfg. Co. is a mfr. of roadrunner traps.
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Note for this coming Sunday, if you are in the Seattle area: Paul Brians will be at Eagle Harbor Books at 3 p.m.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
edge on/egg on: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, February 4, 2014
edge on/egg on
When you egg people on to do something you are inciting them to do something, often something risky. So why isn’t the expression “to edge”? After all, you’re pushing them toward the edge—trying to get them to do something edgy.
In fact the people who use “edge” in this way have both logic and history on their side. The oldest spelling of this verb meaning “incite” is “egge” pronounced “edge,” and the spellings “edge” and “egg” coexisted for a long time before “egg” edged out its rival. Now, however, saying someone is edged on to do something is likely to be regarded as a mistake.
When you egg people on to do something you are inciting them to do something, often something risky. So why isn’t the expression “to edge”? After all, you’re pushing them toward the edge—trying to get them to do something edgy.
In fact the people who use “edge” in this way have both logic and history on their side. The oldest spelling of this verb meaning “incite” is “egge” pronounced “edge,” and the spellings “edge” and “egg” coexisted for a long time before “egg” edged out its rival. Now, however, saying someone is edged on to do something is likely to be regarded as a mistake.
Monday, February 3, 2014
as: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, February 3, 2014
as
In some American dialects it is common to say things like “I see lots of folks as hasn’t got the sense to come in out of the rain.” In standard English, the expression would be “folks that” or “folks who.”
In some American dialects it is common to say things like “I see lots of folks as hasn’t got the sense to come in out of the rain.” In standard English, the expression would be “folks that” or “folks who.”
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