ostensively/ostensibly
This word, meaning “apparently,” is spelled “ostensibly.”
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
tolled/told: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, September 6, 2013
tolled/told
Some people imagine that the expression should be “all tolled” as if items were being ticked off to the tolling of a bell or it involved the paying of a toll, but in fact this goes back to an old meaning of “tell”: “to count.” You could “tell over” your beads if you were counting them in a rosary. “All told” means “all counted.” This older meaning of “tell” is the reason that people who count money out behind bank windows are called “tellers.”
Some people imagine that the expression should be “all tolled” as if items were being ticked off to the tolling of a bell or it involved the paying of a toll, but in fact this goes back to an old meaning of “tell”: “to count.” You could “tell over” your beads if you were counting them in a rosary. “All told” means “all counted.” This older meaning of “tell” is the reason that people who count money out behind bank windows are called “tellers.”
Thursday, September 5, 2013
immaculate conception/virgin birth: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, September 5, 2013
immaculate conception/virgin birth
The doctrine of “immaculate conception” (the belief that Mary was conceived without inheriting original sin) is often confused with the doctrine of the “virgin birth” (the belief that Mary gave birth to Jesus while remaining a virgin).
The doctrine of “immaculate conception” (the belief that Mary was conceived without inheriting original sin) is often confused with the doctrine of the “virgin birth” (the belief that Mary gave birth to Jesus while remaining a virgin).
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
itch/scratch: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, September 4, 2013
itch/scratch
Strictly speaking, you scratch an itch. If you’re trying to get rid of a tingly feeling on your back, scratch it, don’t itch it.
Strictly speaking, you scratch an itch. If you’re trying to get rid of a tingly feeling on your back, scratch it, don’t itch it.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
sacreligious/sacrilegious: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, September 3, 2013
sacreligious/sacrilegious
Doing something sacrilegious involves committing sacrilege. Don’t let the related word “religious” trick you into misspelling the word as “sacreligious.”
Doing something sacrilegious involves committing sacrilege. Don’t let the related word “religious” trick you into misspelling the word as “sacreligious.”
Monday, September 2, 2013
get me: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, September 2, 2013
get me
“I gotta get me a new carburetor,” says Joe-Bob. Translated into standard English, this would be “I have to get myself a new carburetor.” Even better: leave out the “myself.”
“I gotta get me a new carburetor,” says Joe-Bob. Translated into standard English, this would be “I have to get myself a new carburetor.” Even better: leave out the “myself.”
Sunday, September 1, 2013
any where/anywhere: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, September 1, 2013
any where/anywhere
“Anywhere,” like “somewhere” and “nowhere,” is always one word.
“Anywhere,” like “somewhere” and “nowhere,” is always one word.
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