you know/know what I’m sayin’
In casual speech it’s fine to say things like “You know, I really liked that blouse you were wearing yesterday.” But some people fall into the habit of punctuating their speech with “you know” so frequently that it becomes irritating to the listener. Most people do this unconsciously, not meaning anything by it. If you become aware that you have this habit your friends and colleagues will be grateful if you try to overcome it.
Hip-hop popularized a similar formula—“know what I’m sayin’?”—frequently used when there is little or no doubt about what is being said. It means something like “right?” It’s time to retire this worn-out phrase—know what I’m sayin’?
_________________
Lo and behold, Paul Brians investigates a misheard phrase in his latest blog post.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
depravation/deprivation: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, December 8, 2014
depravation/deprivation
There is a rare word spelled “depravation” which has to do with something being depraved, corrupted, perverted.
But the spelling you’re more likely to need is “deprivation,” which has to do with being deprived of desirable things like sleep or chocolate.
There is a rare word spelled “depravation” which has to do with something being depraved, corrupted, perverted.
But the spelling you’re more likely to need is “deprivation,” which has to do with being deprived of desirable things like sleep or chocolate.
Friday, December 5, 2014
mispell/misspell: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, December 5–7, 2014
mispell/misspell
Your spelling checker should catch this one, but judging by the popularity of “mispell,” “mispelled,” and “mispelling” on the Web, it slips by many people. These words need two S’s: one to end “mis-” and another to begin “-spell.” So the words are “misspell,” “misspelled,” and “misspelling.” This ranks as an embarrassing spelling mistake right up there with “writting.”
___________
The Week’s End Extra from the Archives: "Notes on the Third Edition: Most Things Are Still All Right" (November 21, 2013).
Your spelling checker should catch this one, but judging by the popularity of “mispell,” “mispelled,” and “mispelling” on the Web, it slips by many people. These words need two S’s: one to end “mis-” and another to begin “-spell.” So the words are “misspell,” “misspelled,” and “misspelling.” This ranks as an embarrassing spelling mistake right up there with “writting.”
___________
The Week’s End Extra from the Archives: "Notes on the Third Edition: Most Things Are Still All Right" (November 21, 2013).
Thursday, December 4, 2014
hyperdermic/hypodermic: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, December 4, 2014
hyperdermic/hypodermic
Do you get a little hyper when you have to go to the doctor for a shot? The injection is made with a hypodermic needle. The prefix hypo- means “under,” and the needle slides under your skin (your epidermis).
__________
You may get a little excited, but no need to get hyper about the continuing sale on the Common Errors in English Usage book. This offer will expire over the weekend, so take advantage of it now.
Do you get a little hyper when you have to go to the doctor for a shot? The injection is made with a hypodermic needle. The prefix hypo- means “under,” and the needle slides under your skin (your epidermis).
__________
You may get a little excited, but no need to get hyper about the continuing sale on the Common Errors in English Usage book. This offer will expire over the weekend, so take advantage of it now.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
appraise/apprise: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, December 3, 2014
appraise/apprise
When you estimate the value of something, you appraise it. When you inform people of a situation, you apprise them of it.
________
Of countries and birds: Paul Brians’ most recent blog post addresses the topic of what happens when place names get exported to other languages.
When you estimate the value of something, you appraise it. When you inform people of a situation, you apprise them of it.
________
Of countries and birds: Paul Brians’ most recent blog post addresses the topic of what happens when place names get exported to other languages.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
ball/bawl: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, December 2, 2014
ball/bawl
To “bawl” is to cry out loudly, so when you break down in tears you bawl like a baby and when you reprimand people severely you bawl them out. Don’t use “ball” in these sorts of expressions. It has a number of meanings, but none of them have to do with shouting and wailing unless you’re shouting “play ball!”
To “bawl” is to cry out loudly, so when you break down in tears you bawl like a baby and when you reprimand people severely you bawl them out. Don’t use “ball” in these sorts of expressions. It has a number of meanings, but none of them have to do with shouting and wailing unless you’re shouting “play ball!”
Monday, December 1, 2014
undoubtably/undoubtedly: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, December 1, 2014
undoubtably/undoubtedly
Doubtless the spelling of “presumably” influences the misspelling “undoubtably.” The word is “undoubtedly.” When something is undoubtedly true, it is undoubted.
Doubtless the spelling of “presumably” influences the misspelling “undoubtably.” The word is “undoubtedly.” When something is undoubtedly true, it is undoubted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)