priority
It is common to proclaim, “In our business, customer service is a priority,” but it would be better to say “a high priority,” since priorities can also be low.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
indepth/in depth: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 6, 2012
indepth/in depth
You can make an “in-depth” study of a subject by studying it “in depth,” but never “indepth.” Like “a lot” this expression consists of two words often mistaken for one. The first, adjectival, use of the phrase given above is commonly hyphenated, which may lead some people to splice the words even more closely together. “Indepth” is usually used as an adverb by people of limited vocabulary who would be better off saying “profoundly” or “thoroughly.” Some of them go so far as to say that they have studied a subject “indepthly.” Avoid this one if you don’t want to be snickered at.
__________________
The latest blog post by Paul Brians looks at an expression that has been cut short—too short.
You can make an “in-depth” study of a subject by studying it “in depth,” but never “indepth.” Like “a lot” this expression consists of two words often mistaken for one. The first, adjectival, use of the phrase given above is commonly hyphenated, which may lead some people to splice the words even more closely together. “Indepth” is usually used as an adverb by people of limited vocabulary who would be better off saying “profoundly” or “thoroughly.” Some of them go so far as to say that they have studied a subject “indepthly.” Avoid this one if you don’t want to be snickered at.
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The latest blog post by Paul Brians looks at an expression that has been cut short—too short.
Monday, March 5, 2012
confident/confidant/confidante: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 5, 2012
confident/confidant/confidante
In modern English “confident’ is almost always an adjective. Having studied for a test you feel confident about passing it. You’re in a confident frame of mind. This spelling is often misused as a noun meaning “person you confide in,” especially in the misspelled phrase “close confident.”
The spelling “confidante” suggests that such a close friend might be a female, and conservatives prefer to confine its use to refer to women. But this spelling is also very common for males, and the spelling “confidant” is also used of both males and females. Either one will do in most contexts, but the person you trust with your deep secrets is not your “confident.”
In modern English “confident’ is almost always an adjective. Having studied for a test you feel confident about passing it. You’re in a confident frame of mind. This spelling is often misused as a noun meaning “person you confide in,” especially in the misspelled phrase “close confident.”
The spelling “confidante” suggests that such a close friend might be a female, and conservatives prefer to confine its use to refer to women. But this spelling is also very common for males, and the spelling “confidant” is also used of both males and females. Either one will do in most contexts, but the person you trust with your deep secrets is not your “confident.”
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Caucasian: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, March 4, 2012
Caucasian
“Caucasian” is an outdated term originally used to refer to some or all of the people of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and Central and South Asia. It was invented by in the early 19th century Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, who felt the Caucasian “race” was best exemplified by people from people living in the Caucasus mountains of Georgia. It is widely misused today as a synonym for “white.” Although the concept of “race” is still widely popular, contemporary scientists have generally rejected the concept as simplistic and misleading.
The term is better avoided except in reference to people actually from the Caucasus.
“Caucasian” is an outdated term originally used to refer to some or all of the people of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and Central and South Asia. It was invented by in the early 19th century Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, who felt the Caucasian “race” was best exemplified by people from people living in the Caucasus mountains of Georgia. It is widely misused today as a synonym for “white.” Although the concept of “race” is still widely popular, contemporary scientists have generally rejected the concept as simplistic and misleading.
The term is better avoided except in reference to people actually from the Caucasus.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Cracker Jacks/Cracker Jack: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, March 3, 2012
Cracker Jacks/Cracker Jack
“Crackerjack” is an old slang expression meaning “excellent,” and the official name of the popcorn confection is also singular: “Cracker Jack.” People don’t pluralize its rival Poppycock as “Poppycocks,” but they seem to think of the individual popped kernels as the “jacks.” A similarly named candy is “Good and Plenty.” All three have descriptive names describing qualities and shouldn’t be pluralized. A way to remember this: in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” “Cracker Jack” rhymes with “back.”
“Crackerjack” is an old slang expression meaning “excellent,” and the official name of the popcorn confection is also singular: “Cracker Jack.” People don’t pluralize its rival Poppycock as “Poppycocks,” but they seem to think of the individual popped kernels as the “jacks.” A similarly named candy is “Good and Plenty.” All three have descriptive names describing qualities and shouldn’t be pluralized. A way to remember this: in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” “Cracker Jack” rhymes with “back.”
Friday, March 2, 2012
deviant/deviate: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, March 2, 2012
deviant/deviate
The technical term used by professionals to label someone whose behavior deviates from the norm is “deviate,” but if you want to tease a perv friend you may as well call him a “deviant”—that’s what almost everybody else says. In your sociology class, however, you might want to stick with “deviate.”
The technical term used by professionals to label someone whose behavior deviates from the norm is “deviate,” but if you want to tease a perv friend you may as well call him a “deviant”—that’s what almost everybody else says. In your sociology class, however, you might want to stick with “deviate.”
Thursday, March 1, 2012
accept/except: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 1, 2012
accept/except
If you offer me Godiva chocolates I will gladly accept them—except for the candied violet ones. Just remember that the X in “except” excludes things—they tend to stand out, be different. In contrast, just look at those two cozy Cs snuggling up together. Very accepting. And be careful; when typing “except” it often comes out “expect.”
If you offer me Godiva chocolates I will gladly accept them—except for the candied violet ones. Just remember that the X in “except” excludes things—they tend to stand out, be different. In contrast, just look at those two cozy Cs snuggling up together. Very accepting. And be careful; when typing “except” it often comes out “expect.”
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